I’m paid $60k/year, have a caseload of 70 for 35 hours/week work, and work conditions force me to work 50 hours/week to complete my duties, no additional pay, overtime LOL.

We are not the same.

Mental health (masters-level therapist), shit.

Pick mah nose.

You could try a litmus test with your friend, based on the criteria you personally have for a friendship breakage.

For me, with my (now ex-)friend, it was a simple question: “Can you not see that Trump is a malignant narcissist who will—like at the end of his first term—not cede power at the end of his second?”

My (ex-)friend refused to render a judgment, so my response followed: “That cements it. I no longer have respect for your judgment of character. For you to support this transparent a wannabe dictator makes it clear you lack the basic moral fiber I expect in a friend. I’m sorry, but I no longer can call you someone I want to associate with, let alone a friend. I’m a truly, deeply disappointed in you, and will no longer tolerate your companionship. I have to draw the line somewhere. I tolerated your choice of husband, I tolerated your choice of political party, and I tolerated your first vote for Trump based on the idea that you didn’t understand the person you were voting for. No longer. You have had plenty of time to see the true character of the disturbingly mentally disordered candidate you voted for in 2016 and yet you still support him in 2024. I have such a low opinion on of you at this point that I can’t stomach keeping your company, even civilly.

Goodbye.”

Her response: a “HaHa” reaction to my comment.

We haven’t spoken since.

I don’t know if this is one of those situations where I should pick my battles and let it go. I feel they steal my free time.

Getting along in work environments is always a matter of which battles to pick and which compromises to make. You will always have to make some. To my mind, starting your shift five minutes early is a pretty minor concession to not irk your colleagues and get on everyone’s shit-list. But…you can always search for a new place to work. Just bear in mind you may be walking into an even less compatible environment for yourself.

Different category, same categorical error.