Free work — extra hours beyond compensation, weekend availability, scope creep without renegotiation, mentoring obligations without recognition — trains colleagues and managers to expect it. The pattern compounds; eventually you're working 60 hours for 40 hours pay.
What to do instead
Specific work hours. Renegotiation when scope changes. Saying no to additional commitments without resource adjustment. Compensation conversations when expectations grow.
Stopping free work initially produces friction. Persisting through it usually produces better outcomes — sustainable hours, fair compensation, increased respect.