Hand Solo:
I most certainly would not operate an aircraft outwith the remit of the MEL and it is a pretty serious allegation for you to suggest that I might.
I have however on several occasions in the past been asked to "bend the rules a bit". My usual response to this is to tell them that I am going to call the CAA (or whichever regulatory body is responsible) to seek their advice on how to interpret the rules. That usually does the trick!
What sounded familiar to me was not getting paid on time (or at all), my wife having no idea where I am, being asked to work on days off, short notice flights, lack of rosters etc etc. I have been on the receiving end of all of those!