I work like a dog day and night, pushing through exhaustion, facing ridiculous barriers, and barely keeping it together. This powerful phrase got a new wave of cultural recognition from the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, especially through Taraji P. Henson’s unforgettable performance as Katherine Johnson, a Black mathematician at NASA in the 1950s.
Her iconic monologue – “And I work like a dog day and night, living on coffee from a pot none of you want to touch! So excuse me if I have to go to the restroom a few times a day” – captures the double burden of being brilliant while facing both racism and sexism at work.
What Does “Working Like a Dog” Really Mean?
Let’s break this down. When someone says they “work like a dog,” they’re comparing themselves to animals that historically had some pretty brutal working conditions. Think sled dogs, farm dogs, or hunting dogs – creatures that work until they drop from exhaustion.
But Katherine Johnson’s use hits different. She wasn’t just saying “I work hard” – she was highlighting the absurdity of her situation. Here’s a woman literally calculating rocket trajectories by hand (you know, just casually putting men in space) while:
- Having to run half a mile to use the “colored” bathroom
- Being excluded from critical meetings
- Drinking from a separate coffee pot her colleagues wouldn’t touch
- Getting paid less for the same (or harder) work
So when she says she “works like a dog,” she’s not just talking about effort – she’s talking about dignity. She’s saying “I’m working myself to death while being treated as less than human.”
The Hidden Figures Moment That Changed Everything
The scene in Hidden Figures where Katherine finally snaps is cinema gold. After rushing back from her distant bathroom (again), she faces her white male colleagues who have no idea what she endures daily.
Her eruption isn’t just about bathroom breaks – it’s about a system of oppression designed to make her feel inferior while simultaneously depending on her brilliance.
The coffee pot detail is especially powerful. Such a small thing, but it perfectly captures the daily indignities that chip away at your soul. Katherine has to fuel her marathon workdays with coffee from a pot nobody else will touch – a literal segregated pot.
This moment resonated with millions of viewers because it so perfectly encapsulated how:
- Contributions from marginalized people often go unrecognized
- The emotional labor of dealing with discrimination is exhausting
- Even “small” exclusions add up to major burdens
The Modern “Working Like a Dog” Reality
While today’s workplaces might not have segregated coffee pots (though some still have plenty of discrimination), the “work like a dog” mentality is still destroying people.
We’ve replaced explicit discrimination with:
- Expectations to answer emails at 11 PM
- The constant pressure to hustle and grind
- Burnout culture masquerading as “passion”
- The glorification of overwork as a virtue
Sound familiar?
Research shows this approach to work is absolutely terrible for our health. Chronic overwork leads to:
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Higher rates of depression and anxiety
- Reduced productivity (ironically)
- Damaged relationships
And just like in Katherine Johnson’s day, these burdens often fall hardest on those with the least power. Women, people of color, and other marginalized groups frequently face what researchers call the “prove it again” bias – having to work twice as hard for half the recognition.
The Coffee Pot Metaphor We All Need to Understand
That separate coffee pot in Hidden Figures is more than just a prop – it’s the perfect symbol for workplace exclusion.
Think about your workplace. Are there “coffee pots” that some people can’t access?
- Who gets invited to the important meetings?
- Whose ideas get credited?
- Who has to work harder to prove themselves?
- Who gets mentorship and who gets criticism?
These modern “coffee pots” might be subtle, but they’re just as real. And people dealing with them are still working like dogs while carrying extra burdens.
What We Can Learn From Katherine Johnson’s Experience
Katherine’s story gives us some powerful lessons:
Recognize invisible labor: Much of the most important work happens behind the scenes, often by people who don’t get the spotlight.
Create truly equitable workplaces: It’s not enough to remove explicitly discriminatory policies – we need to actively build inclusive environments.
Value rest as much as work: Nobody should have to work themselves to exhaustion to prove their worth.
Speak truth to power: Sometimes, like Katherine, you need to call out injustice, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The most successful teams today understand that diversity drives innovation – but only when everyone has equal access to resources, recognition, and respect.
How This Phrase Lives On
“I work like a dog day and night” has become a rallying cry for anyone pushing against unfair systems while delivering excellence.
Hidden Figures transformed Katherine Johnson from an unsung hero to a household name, and her words continue to inspire people facing their own battles with workplace inequality.
When people use this phrase today, they’re often channeling that same energy – a combination of exhaustion, frustration, and determination to keep going despite the obstacles.
The Bottom Line
“Working like a dog” shouldn’t be a badge of honor. It should be a warning sign that something in our work culture needs fixing.
Katherine Johnson’s story reminds us that behind impressive achievements often lie untold stories of struggle. The next time you hear someone say they’re “working like a dog,” don’t just admire their work ethic – ask if they’re getting the support, recognition, and equal treatment they deserve.
And maybe check if there’s a separate coffee pot in your workplace that needs to be thrown out.
