AITA for refusing to help out on my coworker’s tasks even if he refuses to rally to our boss that he needs extra help?
I (24F) have been in the firm for 9 months. It took me a long time to get familiar with our process, however now, I can say that I have a good understanding of my tasks. Now, my workload is just enough for 1.7 people, which in corporate policy, is crammed to be worked on by one person. Since I’m organized and have created shortcuts in working, I manage to finish work on time on most days. My tasks also have peak seasons wherein some weeks the volume of tasks are just enough to let me finish on time everyday, and on some weeks I have to get off of work an hour or two more than the normal time my shift ends. But it’s all manageable with little to no help from our other coworkers or managers.
Now I have a coworker, let’s call him Bill. Bill has been in the company for four years now and is aiming for a big promotion, which is why he’s being given more tasks. His tasks have been identified to suit 1 person, however, he is unable to manage his workload during his peak seasons. Due to this, he often asks for help from everyone in the team, and everyone nicely pitches in for some tasks. I, however, have voiced out my refusal to take on some tasks because 1) I don’t receive additional help during our peak seasons, 2) it’s outside of my job descriptions, and 3) management’s lack of planning is not a burden I should shoulder.
So, I get crap whenever I leave work earlier than everyone else but on time with my shift ends because i refuse to lend a hand. Even my manager has set a meeting with me, telling me that I should help out more. So, AITA?
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AITA for refusing to help out on my coworker’s tasks even if he refuses to rally to our boss that he needs extra help?
I (27F) have been in the firm for 9 months. It took me a long time to get familiar with our process, however now, I can say that I have a good understanding of my tasks. Now, my workload is just enough for 1.7 people, which in corporate policy, is crammed to be worked on by one person. Since I’m organized and have created shortcuts in working, I manage to finish work on time on most days. My tasks also have peak seasons wherein some weeks the volume of tasks are just enough to let me finish on time everyday, and on some weeks I have to get off of work an hour or two more than the normal time my shift ends. But it’s all manageable with little to no help from our other coworkers or managers.
Now I have a coworker, let’s call him Bill. Bill has been in the company for four years now and is aiming for a big promotion, which is why he’s being given more tasks. His tasks have been identified to suit 1 person, however, he is unable to manage his workload during his peak seasons. Due to this, he often asks for help from everyone in the team, and everyone nicely pitches in for some tasks. I, however, have voiced out my refusal to take on some tasks because 1) I don’t receive additional help during our peak seasons, 2) it’s outside of my job descriptions, and 3) management’s lack of planning is not a burden I should shoulder.
So, I get crap whenever I leave work earlier than everyone else but on time with my shift ends because i refuse to lend a hand. Even my manager has set a meeting with me, telling me that I should help out more. So, AITA?
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> 1. I outright questioned my boss when he said that I should help out more, even pressing that a different person should be doing this
2. Everyone’s helping out in the team because they like my coworker, so while everyone is helping out, I’m just working on my own tasks. I feel like I’m violating something whenever they talk about the extra tasks, but then I always think that no one helps me out during our peak seasons at work, so why the heck should I help out?
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA. You have almost double the workload you’re supposed to have, so if they want you helping out they need to remove your workload first.
NTA but you are in a tricky situation, especially if your manager has spoken to you about it. If it were me, I would start documenting all these meetings, and next time your manager asks you to help out more, ask which of your tasks should be deprioritised in order to help Bill. Nobody should be staying past their working hours, especially not to do work that isn’t theirs, but just bear in mind that you never know what might happen in the future – there may be a time when life gets you and you might need your coworkers’ help.
NTA – It doesn’t make sense to work overtime if you’re not getting paid for it, especially if it’s not your job.
NTA but your three points aren’t your best argument. You simply have too much work already, that’s your best excuse.
While saying “management’s lack of planning isn’t my problem” etc is true, it comes across as a little snippy, you know?
Tell your manager you really don’t want to jeopardize Bill’s big promotion by taking on his tasks, which would show he can’t manage the workload required to be promoted.
Modern solutions to modern problems.
NAH (except your management)
NAH
Except for this firm so hellbent on exploiting you all.
NTA.
Bill is being given more tasks in view of a promotion. If he can’t manage them, he’s unsuitable for that position. You are simply making it clear and he’s mad because you’re not helping him get that promotion. But what if he gets it? You’ll likely be saddled with his extra tasks.
Involve your boss here and document everything.
NTA. Do you get paid overtime when you have to stay to finish tasks? You’re already doing the work of 1.7 people, which is ridiculous to begin with and is very exploitative of your company. Bill, being up for a big promotion, should be able to handle his own tasks, and if he can’t, then clearly he shouldn’t be getting promoted.
Just because you figured out a way to be more efficient doesn’t give them a right to force more work on you. You know what that leads to? Resentment and workers intentionally working more slowly so that they don’t get saddled with other people’s work and then forced to stay late to finish.
If you’re not paid overtime, you are not obligated to take on work that would force you to stay past your normal hours. Actually, even if you are paid overtime, you’re not obligated to take on other people’s tasks. The problem you’re going to have is talking to management because they’re going to make you feel like you’re not a team player. Which is dumb because you said they gave Bill tasks that 1 person can typically handle alone, and he’s proving that he can’t. That’s not your fault.
Regardless of what happens in this meeting, you might need to look for another job. I’ve learned the hard way that it doesn’t matter if you’re right, your company and your coworkers can make your life miserable if they realize they can’t bully you into working yourself to death for the company’s bottom line. Or they can fire you for “insubordination.” (This happened to me, and I was able to get unemployment because the company lied but also couldn’t demonstrate that I had been warned or written up for ANYTHING prior to them firing me out of seemingly nowhere. LOL.)
NTA, I’m no corporate expert but I’d probably go with “if I’ve finished all my tasks and there’s time left before clock out I’m happy to help. If you’re concerned about my lack of availability to help others, perhaps my workload needs to lighten so I’m better available for the team”.
If they ask about overtime to help “I’m happy to work extra during peak time to accomplish my current task list. I have never needed additional help on my work because I use my time after work to manage my personal obligations so that I’m prepared and able to complete my workload the next day. Again, I’m happy to be more available to the team just not at the expense of my own work.”
Much of this is classic patriarchy. But is actually an advantage to ask for help when you need it. Getting the team to work together help one person succeed is actually an accurate description of being a manager. NTA
NTA, but start looking for another job. If you don’t quit, they’ll fire you.