I (26M) work in a small office. One coworker, “Anna” (30F), has leaned on me constantly to cover her shifts. At first, I didn’t mind — she always said it was for doctor’s appointments or family emergencies, and I figured everyone needs help sometimes.
Over the past six months, I’ve covered at least 10 of her shifts. The problem? She never once agreed to cover for me when I needed it. There was always an excuse.
Then last month, I found out through Instagram that one of her “family emergencies” was actually a weekend trip to Vegas. Another “doctor’s appointment”? She was at a concert.
I was pissed but didn’t say anything. Instead, I just stopped agreeing to cover. Last week, she asked me again, and I told her flat out, “I can’t keep rearranging my schedule when you never help me out in return.”
She got mad and told a few coworkers I was being “difficult.” Then she went to our manager. Next thing I know, my manager pulls me aside and says, “Look, Anna says you’re not willing to help out anymore. I’m not telling you what to do, but it makes things harder when people won’t be flexible.”
I told him I’ve been the only one covering for her, and that she’s been lying about why she needed time off. He just sighed and said, “I don’t need to know the details, I just need the shifts covered.”
Now I feel stuck. I don’t want to keep being taken advantage of, but I also don’t want to look bad to my boss. A couple of coworkers told me I should just let it go because Anna “has seniority,” but honestly, I’m over it.
Comments
Tell your manager to cover then. Its not on you at all.
>I don’t need to know the details, I just need the shifts covered.
Well then mister manager, you better manage to find someone else.
He has somebody to cover the shift, it’s Anna and he should enforce that
Honestly, if your boss is pressuring you to cover for another employee after you have said you don’t want to, I would go to HR. It doesn’t matter how much seniority anyone has, they cannot force you to work additional shifts for another employee if that is a completely voluntary process between the employees. If your co-worker needs time off, she can use any earned PTO she has or find someone else willing to believe her lies.
NTA
Not one more shift. Your boss sounds like the whole tool bag. NTA
NTA. It’s not your job to cover every single shift. Maybe Anna needs to stop having so much time off.
NTA Keep telling her no because you are busy. It was a mistake to tell her no because she doesn’t return the favor. Others can cover her shift as easily as you were doing it.
You’ve got a shitty manager. How much do you like this job? Next time, tell her you’ll trade shifts with her. No more one sided coverage. And only do it if it’s convenient for you. Her “emergencies” aren’t your problem.
NTA. He’s a manager. It’s his job to manage and find someone to cover Anna. It’s not your job to cover for Anna everytime she wants to play hooky.
NTA
I get the feeling that Anna and your manager have a little more of a personal relationship outside of work for him to support her this much.
NTA. “No.” It’s a complete sentence.
Tell your manager you won’t be rearranging your schedule to cover for her every time she wants to go on a trip or to a concert. Tell him if that’s a problem, he can discuss it with your LAWYER!!! Fuck that shit!!!! You don’t need to cover for her irresponsible ass, and you can sue for millions if they try to make you feel like you do, which he just did! It’s up to him to manage his employees properly so all shifts are covered, NOT YOU! He should have Anna cover her shifts, or fire her & find someone else who will!!!!!!!!!
Go to HR right away & get yourself a lawyer because this is bullshit!!
NTA. Tell your manager he needs to cover it or make her come to work. And if she doesn’t then he needs to hold her accountable. Tell him hes not being a team player by favoring her. Hes promoting discord and a toxic work environment
Nta it’s the managers job to manage. Just keep saying no to Anna. And if your manager brings it up again let him know that it’s inappropriate for him to harass you like this and you are more than willing to discuss this with HR.
He needs to talk to Anna about her schedule and if the job is right for her anymore.
The manager is just being lazy and trying to force you to bend because he sees you as the weakest link. Document everything via email
NTA
Honestly? It’s more the fact that she won’t cover for you when you need it. And THAT it was more distressing than the knowledge that she’s lying about why she needs her shift covered.
Don’t let the manager bully you or intimidate you. Those are not your shifts. Stand firm and do not cover shifts for her anymore.
This was a hard lesson for me to learn at 15. I worked at a sonic. And those AH boys didn’t return the favor to me when I asked him the one time I needed my shift covered. And the next time they asked me to cover theirs? I told him no. The manager leaned on me. I told him no. I told him they couldn’t make me and I would take it to the owner if they kept it up.
There is a woman on YouTube Miss Veronika. And she covers a lot of animations that she has created for these types of situations. Very relatable and absolutely hilarious. Although, extremely sad because they are true stories.
Nta and tell the manager no. This is why I never cover for anyone again.
And tell him he as the manger is responsible for covering shifts. Not you.
Start looking for a new job, you have terrible managment. That being said, if he can’t find someone to cover that sounds like shitty management and a whole lot of not your problem.
Your manager doesn’t want to deal with it so he’s trying to put it on you to make his life easier, you’re not obligated to take anyone else’s shifts.
Ask your manager whose responsibility Anna’s shift is, and if he is ordering you to cover it, and if so, you need it in writing. Also, ask your manager why he is protecting the lazy, manipulative worker and pushing the cooperative workers away, and does he think that makes sense?
Tell your manager it’s his responsibility to get cover shifts not yours. NTA.
NTA. Tell your manager that it’s their job to make sure the shifts are covered, not yours, and it’s Anna’s job to do the shifts she’s scheduled for, not yours. If Anna really can’t do a shift for some reason, she can ask someone else to cover for her, you’re not the only member of this team. Tell the co-workers that think you should let it go that you’ll let Anna know they’re willing to cover her shifts for her, see how fast they back-pedal.
You’ve done more than enough with zero reciprocity. Anna either needs to work her shifts or find someone else to cover for her. If no one else in the team is willing and your manager gets annoyed, then the manager can take those shifts.
Her job is not your responsibility… there is so much wrong with everyone in this situation EXCEPT YOU… With that response your manager needs to be demoted… You’re doing fine, keep doing your job and they have nothing on you… if people start making it difficult for you, report them for hostile work environment… In this instance, it would be completely appropriate to go above your managers head, as he is part of the problem…
Edit: P.S. Document EVERYTHING!!!
I would be livid! And your manager making excuses for her!? Why? That’s BS. I would be having a follow up meeting with your manager to tell them why that’s BS. There’s nothing I hate worse than liars
NTA
I don’t even have to read the story. The title says it all. You’re not tah.
Just keep saying no. Manager will need to cover that shift if no one else does it. That’s why he went after you.
Do you get paid for covering her shift? If yes, then it doesn’t matter where she goes, it’s just about filling the shift. And if you get the extra cash then everyone wins.
But if you just have to absorb duties or stay back a bit or there’s no benefit to you; then HELL NO!!
NTA
You have the right to tell your manager that you will not cover shifts. You’ve done your share. He needs to figure it out. Tell him NO.
I would tell people she lies about why she needs coverage and that you also have a life. Why can’t anyone else help? I would tell your manager that you feel like they just put the entire burden on you. You’ve been flexible so maybe the manager can ask everyone else including Anna to be flexible.
Tell them you’ve just begun a private commitment you can’t rearrange for someone else. If Anna can lie, so can you
Anna probably does the manager favors.
NTA, shift coverage is the managers job. He can do it. Find a better job.
Manager DOES need to know the details. They came to you and said you’re not a team player (or simiilar). Lack of planning on her part does constitute an emergency on your part
Your mgr can cover the shifts if they’re so hell bent on being flexible.
Nta, it’s not your problem don’t let push it on you especially for not real reasons. She can do what the rest of the world does and plan better or deal with it or not be a crap person.
It’s someone else’s turn tell your coworkers “tag you’re it”
If he needs it covered then he should force Anna to cover it. Next time you go around telling people when she doesn’t cover your shift, that she is being difficult. Don’t back down. She has taken you for a fool.
Why can’t those other coworkers, who are telling you to get over it, can’t cover for her?
if he needs it covered, then he can get off his ass and cover it. that’s his job, not yours.
If boss needs the shifts covered he can do it. You are not obligated to scratch her back especially if she won’t scratch yours.
Then your manager needs to cover them. This isnt your problem.
I’m sure your manager would love you to just continue being a door mat to make his job easier which is to make sure the ‘shifts are covered’. That’s his job, not yours. I wouldn’t make an issue of it but next time she asks, just say no. In the workplace you have to stick to your boundaries. Your mistake was not making it clear to this chik that it was a ‘you scratch my back’ situation. I think it would be an eye opener for the manager if you refused consistently. Force her to go to him EVERY time she has an emergency. Let him get a full dose so he gets the picture. Does her seniority allow her to demand time off and lesser seniority must cover?
Tell your boss that it is not your responsibility to do her job, on her shift. You have already gone out of your way to cover for her for a long time. It’s someone else’s turn to “be a team player”. He thinks it’s easier to bully you into doing her job, instead of demanding she do her own job.
That’s ridiculous!!! You have no obligation to cover anyone’s shift. It’s strange everyone including your manager is ganging up on you. Just continue to say you have plans when Anna asks again and let it roll off your back. Don’t bring up your findings again though. Cover your ass.
It’s OT, and what someone does with there personal time shouldn’t matter, if it’s affecting home life then decline, maybe you should start taking personal days, and how many days are we talking over the course of the yr is it 120 , that’s 15 -8 hr days out of 250 potential work days, if your logging over 50 + I understand the extra can be taxing, you might want to look into labor laws and you might be eligible for double time picking up someone else’s shifts
It does not matter why a person needs time off. But it does matter that she will not reciprocate. Focus on that with your manager. Or offer to trade shifts with her so you are both working the same hours.
Regardless she has to reciprocate or its a no.
If your manager needs the shift covered, that’s his responsibility.
“I’m not available to cover.” The end. You don’t need any excuse for being unavailable during times that you aren’t scheduled for work. Cover for other coworkers if you can, just not her.
NTA you don’t have to cover for her, that’s not your job.
Maybe you should also start having all of these family emergencies?
I would be over it as well, but it isn’t easy to just say quit because jobs can be hard to come by depending on the area you live in.
Ask your co workers why they wont cover Anna shift? Why are you the only one covering? Maybe it is time for limiting shift covers? I worked at a job that only let you rearrange your shift a handful times a month and you needed to prove if it was for a dr appointment.
If she is going to be a wet blanket then you have to be the party pooper.
Do you get paid for this time? If so there is that. Anyhow just invent emergencies when she asks you to cover.
Not your responsibility. Cover your own. If she can’t or won’t come in that’s the managers responsibility not yours. Not you to do his job for him and do not let him intimidate you.
You didn’t mention it, but is the manager also absent when Anna is? Maybe a little office hanky panky. Seems he’s taking Anna’s side
??????
Tell him that of course you will cover her whenever you can. Then conveniently and regettably not be available when she asks. “I am so sorry, but I have to take my grandmother to the hospital for her surgery that day”.
Exactly why I stopped covering when I worked in restaurants. Always willing to help or getting the last minute calls and no one would ever help me out. Manager’s reaction tells you everything; you’ve been pinned as the “fixer” so they don’t have to actually address Anna’s lack of dependability and now they’re irritated you’re not playing ball.
Since when is it up to the employees to figure out how to cover shifts!? It’s the manager’s job and it should be on a rotation so not one person is stuck all the time.
It may be time to find another job. One where there’s an HR department so managers and employees like her can be reported. NTA
Go to HR… for the employee harassing you and for the manager pressuring and manipulating you by intimating that you’d be considered difficult and inflexible if you didn’t continue to let yourself be taken advantage of by another employee.
Go to HR. The only reason to give is that when you needed someone to cover your shift, she out right refused. After you covered her XX times. Not why she needs covering for. Just keep it simple. After covering for her 568 times I asked once and she said no. Not my problem anymore.
NTA. Your manager is just lazy to deal with this. Keep making excuses. Tell them you have a family thing, tickets to something. You’ll cover if she reimburses you for the ticket price.
Sounds like Anna needs to find other employment if she can’t handle her own work schedule. Manager needs a new employee. Maybe two.
You shouldn’t be the only one obligated to pick up slack.
Why doesn’t anyone else cover her then? I wouldn’t cover for her anymore either.
NTA. If you’re the only one who’s covering Anna, then it’s time for someone else to step up. And the next time Anna asks you to cover her for a doctor appointment, straight up tell her you know that she’s been lying to you and that she went to Las Vegas and to a concert.
Your boss isn’t going to be any help, but then again Anna needing time off isn’t your problem. You have plans for that day she wants you to cover. You covered for Anna 10 times. Eventually, Anna needing time off will be either Anna or your boss’ problem. And once it becomes your boss’ problem, it’s not going to be good for Anna.
Tell her if you’re going to cover for her random vacations, it’s $10/hour payable up front in cash. Otherwise, GTFOH. NTA. What’s the boss going to do? Get rid of the employee that shows up, or the one that doesn’t.
The key point in your message above u/Top500Gooner_ is this:
>I told him I’ve been the only one covering for her, and that she’s been lying about why she needed time off. He just sighed and said, “I don’t need to know the details, I just need the shifts covered.”
To that I would say “Well, you’re the manager, and while I don’t really want to be the one to tell you what to do here, I’ve done 10 of the last shifts that Anna has had reasons why she couldn’t do them and I’ve had zero coverage from her. I believe it would be very unfair to ask me again for some time, so I suggest that you manage and tell the other team members that they have to cover Anna’s shifts when she isn’t in. When things are on a more equal footing you could add me back in on that roster. Fair? “
Then I’d go looking for another job somewhere else! Put the feelers out and see if you can get something else somewhere else.
You’re not required to be the company doormat. They’re pressuring you because they have been comfortable with you covering all the time, and your new Shiney spine means they might actually have to.
If your manager wants to go on about “flexibility” he can talk to the people that never cover for her. Likewise, your other coworkers that are pressuring you have just volunteered themselves to cover for her as well. I’m sure she “has seniority” over at least one of them as well.
“I’ve done more than my fair share of covering for Anna, and she’s never agreed to cover for me once in return, even though her excuses turned out to be lies. Its’s someone else’s turn.”
NTA. Does your company have an HR Dept? If yes, I would report the coworker for creating a hostile work environment.
YNTA even if you didn’t have a reason other than ‘No, I don’t want to.’
The fact that she lied is even more reason to stop helping her. I don’t help people that are not honest with me.
NTA. They can’t force you to do that. If you have an HR I’d go talk to them and if you don’t I’d start looking for another job
Not what you were hired to do. Mnger is a waste of fresh air.
Do not cover it, just say you have plans
If Anna needs time off, Anna needs to deal with it.
It’s not your responsibility or burden to cover for her. I’d just call her on it. Be 100% honest.
You told me you had a family emergency and a doctors appointment. The truth is you went to Vegas on vacation and went to a concert. You lied to me. And when I need helped out, you refuse. Sounds like a ridiculous double standard.
I’d use those words exactly.
I’d tell your manager the same thing. You come to work, do your work and cover your shifts. Anna’s shifts aren’t your responsibility. If he wants to fire you, now he needs coverage for both Anna’s shifts AND your shifts.
Report your manager to higher ups if he doesn’t cover her absences.
Why does she need people to cover her shifts? Is she failing to request time off? Is she not requesting the time off and then tries to get people to cover for her at the last minute? Does your employer require that you find someone to cover for you even though you have approved time off?
If she’s not requesting time off, she needs to start planning ahead and request time off so management can get the shifts covered.
If she wanted a shift covered so she could go to Vegas, great. That’s fine.
Whether her stated reasons are real or not, is immaterial. Like your boss said. Shifts just gotta be covered, nobody cares why anyone is out.
What matters, is that she doesn’t reciprocate. If she won’t cover yours, you don’t have to cover hers.
Nope, someone else can cover for her
Why would it be your responsibility to deal with a coworker who doesn’t want to work? That’s bullshit and should be on the manager. “I can’t do it, I have plans already”. Even if your plans are to sleep in and netflix all day, it’s none of their business because like your boss said, they don’t need to know the details.
And your coworkers can cover her shifts.
“thou shalt not covet they colleague’s or subordinate’s time”
also: “I have BEEN flexible. I’m not going to be taken advantage of anymore. If you need the shifts covered, pressure someone else, or hire someone else. If Anna can’t come to her shifts often enough that it’s causing trouble for you, maybe she’s the one you need to talk to. These are HER shifts. I’m always here for mine.”
Also: Keep asking Anna to cover for you, and every time she refuses, go tell your manager, and say, “I know you need us to be flexible, you even spoke to me about it. Does that only apply to people who aren’t me?”
Sounds like a managerial problem, not a you problem.
Getting the shifts covered is her problem and his. Not yours. Maybe he should find someone who doesn’t request so much time off?
I had a coworker like this. Stop covering for her. If others have a problem with it they can cover her shifts, but of course they don’t want to so they’re giving you a difficult time. The manager can step in, it’s what he’s there for. NTA. Hold your ground.
tell your boss to cover them then, because why do you have to keep covering for somebody who turns out to be LYING about her supposed emergencies that make her unable to work. why should you keep giving up your time off days for her now that you know the truth? flat out tell him to discuss this with the other employees and have THEM take her shifts because you won’t be doing it anymore no matter what the two of them want or say on the matter. you have your own life to live and shouldn’t have to keep having to cancel said life every time a supposed emergency comes up with your coworker that somehow makes YOU obligated to take it when nobody else would. that is if she actually bothers to ask your other coworkers BEFORE asking YOU to do the shift
I would low key start looking for another job. This “helping out” will get worse when the Holidays get closer.
Check out r/hiringcafe
Good luck
I’d send your manager a RR/DR email (cc yourself and BCC to your personal email account) outlining what you were told with regard to your not covering her shifts and him saying that ‘he didn’t need the details, he just needs the shifts covered’ WITH the instagram evidence. Any onboarding documentation about shifts and their coverage should be quoted verbatim from the documentation.
Both your manager and Anna are creating a hostile work environment for you so you need to be diligent about documenting all conversations with a follow up email {RR/DR email (cc yourself and BCC to your personal email account)} EV-VER-REE-TIME!
It is not your responsibility to insure that shifts are covered, that is your manager’s job. In the future, if someone asks you to do something that you don’t want to, do not provide a reason – the answer is ‘No’. ‘No’ is a complete sentence. If you don’t want to sound harsh, ‘Unfortunately I’m not able to do that’. Any ‘why’ questions are met with ‘personal matters’, then silence. Don’t apologize.
NTA
NTA
You don’t need to he available to cover the shifts. You don’t need to give an explanation either. No is a complete sentence. It no one’s business what you do in your own time so don’t volunteer that information.
NTa
“Well you could fire anna and hire someone who is wants to work.”
If coworker won’t work her shifts, then that’s her problem. And if manager doesn’t like it, he can get rid of her. Easy.
NTA, and I’d just say ‘sorry I have plans’ because laying on the couch watching tv with my cat is a great plan.
Anna is sucking your bosses dick. What you need to do is start looking for another job
Tell your manager that he needs to cover it. It’s a no.
NTA. You’re right, she’s wrong. Let what may come, happen. Maybe manager is going on these family emergencies with her? You found this job (sounds more like a restaurant than an office) so you can find another.
They are all using you because you are the kind, responsible co-worker. Hold your boundaries. Do not let them take advantage. Why is she allowed to say no for coverage and you are the one that has to agree to her demands? Hell no, keep saying no. The manager can sort this out.
Your manager is wrong!
It’s your manager’s job to figure out her shifts, not you. Tell everyone why you stopped. Also, tell him that any more pressuring and guilt trips from him will not be tolerated and that he needs to go to the source of the problem, not the only person who’s been trying to solve the problem this whole time.
Well, actually it’s your manager duty to find a replacement with Anna’s “emergencies”
It seems to me that you didn’t tell your boss the whole story: that you have covered for her over and offer, and when you ask the same courtesy of her, she refuses. And that she has lied to you, saying she has doctor’s appointments or family emergencies, when her Instagram shows those are a weekend trip to Vegas or a concert, Make screenshots of her Instagram to prove your point
Since this is a small office, I would also explain the other coworkers why you are being “difficult” and show them the screenshots. I am positive they will all be on your side
Why don’t those coworkers who claim Anna “has seniority,” cover for her? I think they are advising you that, so they are not the ones asked
As far as I know, people can ask for days off for those “family emergencies”, but there’s a limit. Anna’ doesn’t want to waste hers, so she’s taking advantage of you. Nobody is going to fight for your right, BUT YOU
Tell your manager that it is interesting that he needs people to be flexible but he’s not mad at your co worker for never covering shifts just you
First I would compare an email to your manager. List all the times you have stepped forward to cover her shifts. Then list all the times she has refused to reciprocate.
Outline you are a team player, but clarify with the question ” are you, manager, expecting me to cover her shifts anytime she asks? Am I the only one on the team responsible for covering her shifts? No other team member?
If I say no, because I am unable to, I then have to tolerate harassment, bullying and retaliation?
Can I ask why co- worker is not being held accountable for her scheduled shifts?
Compose another email to your co- worker and outline you were happy to help her cover all these past shifts, list every single one, but cannot continue to do so moving forward. You are professionally requesting the harassment, bullying, and retaliation stop immediately. CC your direct manager on this email.
Now you have a paper trail. If your manager does nothing, send everything to his boss.
In the meantime, do you need to refresh your resume? Look at other jobs? Consult a labor law attorney.
This is unacceptable behavior from your co- worker and manager.
His shifts are covered, by Anna. So not your problem.
NTA – Document and quantify the one-sidedness.
It’s not YOUR job to get the shifts covered – it’s your managers.
It’s easier for your manager to convince the person who previously kept rolling over (you) to keep doing exactly that, than to correct Anna on her behavior. Make convincing you the harder option.
“I was willing to help out a co-worker who I believed was genuinely going through a rough time, and went above and beyond adjusting my schedule. However, I am understandably not willing to put forth the same effort to cover her entertainment activities, and it’s time for others to step up if you want to allow Anna to keep taking this much PTO. I will not be covering her shifts going forward.”
The manager just wants her shifts covered, Anna is the perfect person to cover them. Keep saying that till everyone gets the point.
NTA, covering her shifts is the managers problem.
Yes it is hard when people aren’t flexible, Anna is a great example, she never wants to cover a shift and now an agreeable coworker doesn’t want to cover her shifts anymore. Anna’s lying and refusal to be flexible changed the atmosphere at work.
Or tell the manager to schedule people when they can actually work their shifts
Not your job to find cover; not your job to enable a colleague to lie and party.
Manager is clear that they do not value team morale. When Anna asks, just tell her ‘no’. Don’t add any further detail. ‘No’ is enough. Let her whine if she must, but compile a summary of all the shifts you have already covered and – if possible – the lies she told to have them covered and – again if possible – the times you asked her to cover a shift of yours and she refused.
NTA. It doesn’t matter why she wanted her shift covered. Or that she lied about why. What matters is a) she won’t reciprocate and b) she went rattling to her boss. She gets no more help from you.
NTA but what the hell kind of manager do you have? That is entirely the wrong attitude. He should be telling Anna to work her own shifts and shouldn’t have talked to you about it at all.
I hope that when you go on to your next job, and a coworker asks you to cover a shift, you tell them I’m sorry I have something to do at that time and that’s it.
NTA – I get that your manager has decided they don’t need details, but it’s the manager’s job to make sure shifts are covered, not yours regardless. Also, have you told any of your coworkers about why you won’t cover for her anymore? If not, it might be worth mentioning the next time they pester you about it. Despite her reasons for needing coverage, if she’s not willing to reciprocate, she has no one to blame but herself. It sounds like you would have been fine with continuing to cover her shifts if she was willing to return the favour.
Out her in public, in a very loud voice, so everybody hears.
The “problem” was your answer. You essentially admitted that you could have covered the shifts. Never admit to a person like this (or a lazy manager) that you could do something for them.
Just make a show of checking your calendar and providing her excuses back to her. Doctor’s appointments, family emergencies (that is my day to take care of “x” who is sick), etc. recommend other people by name for the person to go to.
I would apologize to your manager and tell the manager that you are stressed because of your commitments.
Yes, it is a lie. You should not have to do it. But that appears to be your office’s unhealthy game.
“I cannot cover those shifts”, full stop.
It is the manager’s responsibility to fill the shifts, snd where were all the “co workers”?
Tell you manager that you will absolutely help cover her shifts AFTER she covers 10 of yours. You would then not feel taken advantage of since you covered 10 of hers.
NTA, why isn’t your manager talking to Anna about covering your shifts? Try to document everything in case you need it later.
NTA. Whenever Anna asks again (because she will), tell her “no- I’ve scheduled a doctor’s appointment.” Begin to ask why her appointments are more important than yours.
Also, is this not putting you into overtime? If you are covering her shifts and already work FT, that’s costing the company more money if you go into OT because of picking up a slacker’s shifts.
Tell your manager to manage.
It’s always smarter to meet lies with lies when dealing with your job. Oh sorry, I have a wedding, or a a sick relative, or a hike I’ve been planning.
Tell Anna the manager might be willing to cover and to ask hem from now on. And remind her youd be happy to help if she was willing to help when you needed it but she hasn’t so why should you
When I ask my 9 year to help out with something concerning her little sister (helping get her shoes on, helping to find a stuffy she misplaced etc), and she says no I’m not going to go into some guilt trip about how being flexible and helping out just makes things better for everyone. It’s ultimately MY responsibility to get those things done for her. Just because I may be in the trenches trying to do 20 different things, but that isn’t my 9 year old’s fault, and it would be shitty of me to put that on her.
A manager has those same responsibilities. If someone is consistently calling out, regardless of the reason, it is not the responsibility of coworkers to make things easier by picking up those shifts. If they choose to do so, great, but it is no one’s obligation. The manager, however, is obligated to figure it out. Don’t let them put guilt on you just because they don’t want to cover the shift themselves, or have a talk with the coworker about these repeated call outs with made up excuses.
Tell manger no & it’s his or her job to cover, I am no longer covering people that disrespect my time and then lie what actually happened.
I’d tell him point blank that her “needing help” is actually concerts and trips, not family emergencies and doctor appointments and that I’m not willing to cover for a liar anymore and if that makes me “not a team player” then so be it.
I don’t need to bend to someone else’s lack of planning.
Trips and concerts can be planned for in advance. I know because I’ve actually done such things. And ice seen others do it too.
Nta
I had a few coworkers like that. To the point I had a list I will cover for Betty but not Susan because Susan will never cover for me. I also went on a 6 months long coverage strike because when I had freaking pneumonia not a single one of those assholes would cover for me, and when they asked why I wouldn’t cover for them I told them it was because they were all no where to be found when I was sick as a dog and got gotten bitched out by management because I couldn’t find my own coverage, and that’s company policy…. Which I freaking hate just let me bring pneumonia in here and kill our frail seniors, because all my coworkers are twats and management doesn’t want to do anything.
It is your manager’s job to MANAGE the work shifts. If an employee refuses to plan and request days off then beg off her shifts that is the managers problem. They need to tell her plan better.
If that rolls on to you again, tell HR. Actually, if you can I would speak to HR now just to have it reported in case the manager decides to write you up or short shifting your schedule.
If your manager needs the shifts covered, he needs to stop punishing dependable employees to cover for a jerk who is skiving off their shifts.
Do they have a relationship outside work?
NTA. BUT- both Anna, and your manager are. Her, for doing what she’s doing, and him, for not only enabling it, but for pressuring you to keep allowing it.
Stand your ground. Make him do the job HE gets paid to do. Tell your coworkers that if it’s so important that THEY should be happy to cover her shifts.
And start looking for a better job.
Anna has other colleagues. One of them can step up and be her fallback. Your social life has improved dramatically and you frequently have plans when Anna needs time off. NTA
Show him your receipts. Brief him on her lies. Lock it down.
NTA and start looking elsewhere. Mgr has shown he listens to the squeaky wheel and it’s too late for you to start squeaking.
He can get the shifts covered. Just not by you. Your coworkers who are telling you to base your life and schedule around Anna’s inability to plan and request time off can do it.
NTA.
If the manager’s solution to a worker skipping out on shifts regularly is to get upset at everyone BUT the one who’s skipping shifts, then you have a shit manager. He’s also shit because he’s let this go on so long that it’s to the point that she “has seniority” and hasn’t been fired or reprimanded for skipping out on AT LEAST 10 shifts in a 6 month period already.
Your coworker is the one skipping out on shifts, not you. This is NOT your problem to fix or cover for.
The only reason in my opinion you need for not covering for her is that she doesn’t cover for you. Imo though the act of lying is more of an issue than the lie itself. If she needs coverage to go watch butterflies she should just say that. She should also be willing to cover for whoever she asks to cover for her. Just tell her if she wants you to cover then the only way you’ll agree is if she swaps a shift during the same pay period.
Nta. If she won’t help you out, why do it all the time. Tell the workers she complained they can cover her shifts.
NTA
Tell your manager it’s his job to manage, it’s not your job to make the schedule work. If she can’t cover shifts perhaps she isn’t the best fit for the role. He may need to gasp even step in to take a shift
Is the manager joining Anna on these trips?
NTA: it’s not your responsibility to cover shifts
NTA. Be firm and continue to say no. Do not let her or your boss bully you like this.
NTA.
The manager should cover. You’re not obligated to do so.
Your manager needs to know that you will be flexible and help out others when Anna is flexible and helps out others. The issue is less that she is lying, and more that she won’t reciprocate.
Tell your boss it’s his job to manage coverage. It’s not your job to be a door matt to cover for a worker that doesn’t work.
Are you getting paid for these shifts or are you salary?
Tell your manager you aren’t able to cover shifts so either Anna works her shift or they do but the answer is no. Keep all of this in writing and make sure you don’t talk to Anna about work related things unless it’s in writing so you can legally protect yourself. If you keep a journal of the transgressions then you’ll have a slam dunk case if you have to pursue any legal recourse for retribution. NTA
You should have told the manager “I’ve covered for her 10 times in the past 6 months and she wouldn’t return the favor once for me, so from now on the answer is No!” “You can find someone else to cover while she goes on vacations and music festivals while telling you it’s an emergency.” If he need someone to cover the shift it should be the person scheduled for that shift, and sooner or later he will realize she not such a good employee and could easily be replaced by someone who actually wants to work.
Reply to your manager, “I guess Anna won’t be able to go to Las Vegas, then”.
Gi to the manager and tell him that you fully agree that it “makes things harder when people can’t be flexible”. Just as it made things much harder when this employee refused multiple times to be flexible for you. Or as it is being made harder when no one else in the office is being flexible now.
Then tell him that you want to be supportive of the office (you don’t, but it sounds good), so you’re more than happy to SWAP shifts with this employee. Give the manager – NOT them employee – the list of your shifts that she should cover for you in return for you covering this request. Insist that he talk to her because she’s obviously uncomfortable talking to you since she went to him to complain. That also will ensure that she can’t later pretend that she didn’t know she was supposed to cover that shift.
You look cooperative, employee doesn’t get away with stealing your time, manager has to actually do his job, and you get to choose a time off and plan for it.
And then do that EVERY time she wants you to cover a shift. Every time, make your response “I’ll check and see if I’m available and let you know. IF I can do it, I will swap and you can cover X or Y shift of mine.” She won’t swap, you aren’t free.
Tell her you will only cover as many shifts for her as she covers for you. Since you have asked and she said “no” tell her that SHE is the one being difficult. Beyond that, just tell her you have an appointment the same day and can’t get out of it. Keep using that over and over.
Your manager or the other coworkers can cover her. Before it gets worse screen shot her “family emergencies” next time she asks pull out that file and show your manager and the other employees what kind of “emergencies “ she has. Tell them this is why you don’t want to cover and ask how many times has she covered for anyone. I’d also be looking to get out of that toxic environment
“They are covered. You assigned them to her.”
Any more grief, you then go to HR about what you’ve uncovered.
“I just need the shifts covered”
Anna can work her shifts then.
We both know why no one has your back. You’re just their tool so that’s why you’re not equal to them. Start looking for a new job
The manager is in the wrong you can’t force someone to cover people shifts it’s up to
The person wanting the shift covered to sort it out and if they can’t then they have to work it
Tell your manager to do the job he is paid to do and start covering her shifts himself. Then, either say that you already have plans or have a family emergency if they ask you to cover her shift again.
Start looking for a new job. If they don’t care, don’t stay.
NTA
Don’t give in. You can’t be penalized for only working your scheduled shifts. Sounds like the manager needs to manage better.
Tell your co- workers they need to Step- up and Cover for her ! Then ask her to cover for you ! When she refuses go to the Manager! Show him the post about Vegas!
NTA and stand your ground. You have a life and plans of your own each time she needs a shift covered. Those salty coworkers can cover for her.
I would have played dumb and acted confused and a little hurt if it were me. “What do you mean? I cover Anna’s shifts all the time. I said no this one time because I’m scheduled to volunteer at a fundraiser for the homeless shelter. I don’t understand….”
Learn to play the game friend. Anna sure is.
NTA and sounds like your manager’s problem, not yours