[legion]

Every year we have "ethics training" at work. It usually consists of a meeting with our manager where we go over real scenarios that have happened at our company and the results.

The first year, in 100% of the scenarios, every time a line employee did something wrong, they were fired. Every time a manager did something wrong, they were "reprimanded and counseled". This included situations where a line employee and a manager colluded. This year's scenarios included ONE where a manager was fired.

My point? Managers tend to look out for each other and the same action isn't viewed as severe by other managers when a manager does it as opposed to a line employee. (The opposite should be true IMO.)

YOU will get in trouble for this, the manager that dreamed it up may or may not. Sadly, it will degrade into a "your word against his" situation. Guess who other managers/higher ups will believe?

Your manager may believe he is rewarding you with OT. He may want to show that you busted your posterior working on his special project. Either way, you are the one with everything to lose.