What to set thermostat to make AC turn off?

I know there is an off switch, but I was told by my manager it was recommended not to do that because it burns the compressor causing your bill to shoot up. Currently the ac is on and I was fiddling with the thermostat to get it to turn off as I don't want it on. The thermostat currently reads its 81 degrees in my house and the other temperature is set at 70.