The founder of Catsy called me on a Wednesday evening to speak with me and set up an interview that Thursday. At the interview, they provided a general overview of the company and position and asked for my thoughts about it. After that, they had me watch a 4 minute video showing one of their job processes and then try out that job process in front of them. Next, they went over the company a bit more and asked if I had any questions. They stated that the position's hours are from 07:30 - 17:30, Monday through Friday. I said this was fine. Three days later, on a Sunday evening, the founder called me back. They said that my references said good things about me, but that they had some concerns of their own. They spoke about how they wanted to be sure that I can make decent small talk/banter/jokes and that I can portray confidence. They brought up that they wanted to have group meetings where employees would work on interpersonal skills like this on Saturdays, from 09:00 - 13:00. I told them that I may be okay with this on some Saturdays, but that I would not want to do that every Saturday after a 50 hour work week. This would bring the standard working hours to 54 hours per week. They stated that they would call me back on Monday evening to see what ideas and plans I had come up with to work on the interpersonal skills they brought up. I spent Sunday night and into Monday thinking heavily about whether or not I could hold myself responsible for working 54 hours every week and stay sane, regardless of how high the compensation might be. I decided that I would likely become depressed if I was held to that standard each week. I thought hard about this. I have absolutely no issue working overtime when my company needs it. I am one of the most devoted employees a company could have if they treat me well and recognize my value, which includes valuing my mental health. I sent an email on Monday afternoon detailing to the founder that I had been thinking hard about the things they talked to me about and had been researching them, but that the 54 hour work week was looming over me the more I thought about it. I thanked them for all of the time they had spent on me and told them that I thought it was great that they want to help their employees grow on a personal level too. I said I understand that this is a growing company that needs employees who can fully dedicate themselves and focus all of their energy on their career, but that I just need more time for my family and myself than a 54 hour work week would allow for. The founder's response was, in its entirety excluding their email closing, "I ask the question to gauge commitment as an interview question. Never had anyone work over 45 hours a week. It is unsustainable over the long haul to work that many hours, let alone be productive." This ties in directly with my thinking regarding mental health issues. The founder implied a 50 hour work week during the interview, and then implied a 54 hour work week during the follow up call. I entertained their concerns and their suggested working hours. They did not indicate at any time that this was a test, and I was about to be receiving my 4th contact from them later that day. I believe this is incredibly unprofessional and unethical. I do not believe that they asked me this question to gauge my commitment, especially because it was reiterated during a second conversation. I am not sure how I could be expected to believe anything they told me if they were to offer me a position while revealing that the hours are actually completely standard and I had nothing to worry about.