So I volunteer at a community center with a few of my coworkers from my day job. It’s a pretty sensitive environment, so professionalism is kinda…expected.
Anyway, last week I was volunteering with a coworker — let’s call her Marsha, because of course it’s Marsha — and she was acting weird. Like, sprinting-to-the-bathroom-every-10-minutes weird. I figured, “hey, maybe she’s got stomach issues,” and tried to mind my business. But then she started talking a mile a minute, sniffing constantly, and just generally bouncing off the walls like a cracked-out squirrel.
Still, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe allergies? Maybe she drank seven Red Bulls? Maybe she just had a rough day?
But THEN. We were in the bathroom at the same time. I’m in my stall, minding my own business, when Marsha starts BLASTING music in the next stall — which was already kind of unhinged — and then I hear the classic snort. Music cuts off. She leaves.
I come out and see her phone just chillin’ on the counter like it’s not COVERED IN WHITE POWDER. Literal lines still on it. Like… girl. This isn’t a nightclub in 2007.
At that point, I decided I couldn’t ignore it. This wasn’t just someone having a weird day — this was a situation. So I reported it to our supervisor.
Next day? I get pulled into HR. I expected a “thank you for raising a concern” — but instead, I get told that I’m “harassing” her and it “wasn’t my business.” Apparently, since I didn’t take a forensic photo of her powdery phone, there’s nothing they can do. Marsha basically got a slap on the wrist and I got treated like a Karen with a grudge.
So now I’m wondering: AITA for reporting Marsha? I really don’t care what someone does on their own time, but doing…whatever she was doing…during a shift in a place that requires actual clear-headed responsibility?? I feel like I had to say something. But maybe I should’ve just shrugged and pretended it was sugar.
EDIT: The sensitive environment we work with, it is children. She was around children doing coke.
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So I volunteer at a community center with a few of my coworkers from my day job. It’s a pretty sensitive environment, so professionalism is kinda…expected.
Anyway, last week I was volunteering with a coworker — let’s call her Marsha, because of course it’s Marsha — and she was acting weird. Like, sprinting-to-the-bathroom-every-10-minutes weird. I figured, “hey, maybe she’s got stomach issues,” and tried to mind my business. But then she started talking a mile a minute, sniffing constantly, and just generally bouncing off the walls like a cracked-out squirrel.
Still, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe allergies? Maybe she drank seven Red Bulls? Maybe she just had a rough day?
But THEN. We were in the bathroom at the same time. I’m in my stall, minding my own business, when Marsha starts BLASTING music in the next stall — which was already kind of unhinged — and then I hear the classic snort. Music cuts off. She leaves.
I come out and see her phone just chillin’ on the counter like it’s not COVERED IN WHITE POWDER. Literal lines still on it. Like… girl. This isn’t a nightclub in 2007.
At that point, I decided I couldn’t ignore it. This wasn’t just someone having a weird day — this was a situation. So I reported it to our supervisor.
Next day? I get pulled into HR. I expected a “thank you for raising a concern” — but instead, I get told that I’m “harassing” her and it “wasn’t my business.” Apparently, since I didn’t take a forensic photo of her powdery phone, there’s nothing they can do. Marsha basically got a slap on the wrist and I got treated like a Karen with a grudge.
So now I’m wondering: AITA for reporting Marsha? I really don’t care what someone does on their own time, but doing…whatever she was doing…during a shift in a place that requires actual clear-headed responsibility?? I feel like I had to say something. But maybe I should’ve just shrugged and pretended it was sugar.
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> I reported my coworker to our supervisor because I believed she was using illegal substances during a volunteer shift. I might be the asshole because I didn’t have hard proof, and she got in trouble based on my word alone. HR said I was overstepping and accused me of harassment, so now I’m questioning whether I crossed a line by getting involved.
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
YTA…You had no physical proof. As you can see, it backfired on you.
YTA. unless she is going to operate some heavy equipment, its not your issue.
Let me also add that we work with children. And she was around said children and had them in her care.
YTA. Have proof if you’re going to make accusations.
YTA. Maybe she did have stomach issues and blasted the music so you couldn’t hear her going to the bathroom. And maybe her phone was just dirty.
The only thing we do know for certain is you are a snitch.
YTA. You should have brought the phone in with you or taken a photo of it.
INFO. You said it was a sensitive environment. So like… caring for vulnerable people sensitive or the company keeps its financial documents here sensitive?
Nta. “My coworker was breaking the law while representing our organization at a community organization. ” HR: “How dare you care about our company’s reputation or a potential lawsuit when our drugged-out employee does something stupid.”
HR are idiots, but now you know to take a picture. I’m sorry.
INFO This is confusing. You are both coworkers and co-volunteers with Marsha and the incident happened while volunteering at a community center. You reported this to a supervisor at the community center or your actual job? Same question on HR. If it was your day job, I don’t think they would have any governance over what happened while volunteering. Likewise, I’m not sure what the community center’s HR would do regarding volunteers who are not employees, unless she was a danger to others. You say it’s a sensitive environment — explain.
YTA mind yo business
YTA, you’re post is dripping with self importance and you didn’t have proof. As well, “let’s call her Marsha, because of course it’s Marsha” what the fuck is wrong with the name Marsha?
NTA. If she is responsible for children while under the influence, that’s a safety issue. But, having proof is a good idea to CYA.
YTA. Coke is awesome
Ppl calling you TA are wild… she’s doing illicit drugs around children. NTA. Should’ve taken a pic, but I probably wouldn’t have thought to do that either so I don’t blame you.
OP clarified in the comments that Marsha was in charge of kids at the time she was seen snorting coke. If that’s the case, NTA. However, why on earth didn’t the supervisor take care of it then and there??? Like, when she was clearly high? This post has all sorts of issues with it.
YTA.
Don’t accuse random people of doing cocaine because you are white powder on their phones.
NTA..thats crazy
NTA. It was also good you reported it because now there’s a record if there are future complaints.
NTA. Sounds like HR would correct you and say she was blowing pills not cocaine. I used to do both and neither are appropriate at work or around children. You did the right thing by reporting it. What if something happened and her drug use became public knowledge? Bad look for the company.
NTA wow there are a lotttt of coke fiends in these comments tho. They work with kids. This was volunteer work with children. It is her business if her coworker is snorting lines in the bathroom at a fucking daycare.
Just document what you can and call the cops next time, don’t bother with HR they are not here to protect you or those kids.
NTA, BUT when you accuse someone of something this serious, have evidence. Otherwise yiu can say “I think I saw”. And that’s not super effective. If it won’t hold up in court, be careful, because you can get sued for libel.
NTA – it would have been irresponsible of you not to report it. Working with children is not the right job for someone who’s doing drugs in the bathroom at work.
Next time you see an issue though, document it (screenshots of emails, pics of the issue, etc). You don’t have to go to HR for everything you document, but if you need to build a case against someone or show evidence, this is how you do it.
NTA, you were just trying to make sure the vulnerable kids you work with were safe and not exposed to someone actively tripping. You didn’t report something she was doing during her free time, this was during her work with children and even if no children were present at that moment it still speaks volumes about your co-volunteer that she couldn’t simply wait till her shift was over given the sensitive nature of your work.
In the future proof is key but I’d still say if you’re friendly with the coworker and not frightened of them it’s worth it to talk with them about what’s going on and why they need it suddenly before handing the proof over to HR.
NTA
I was gonna say that you were ta as a joke but looking at these comments… Holy shit some of y’all need help.
NTA, the addicts are big mad in the comments😭
Just from the writing I can tell that its AI, thought you might have used it to help writing.
But honestly after reading I’m convinced it’s just bullshit. The music, the lines, she just leaves her phone there? sure… YTA
NTA If Marsha was behaving erratically around the kids in her care, it doesn’t matter if it was Coke, because she was sleep deprived, or if she had low blood sugar. She needs to be alert and thinking logically.
And HR should not have said anything to Marsha about who reported her.
It is literally HRs job to look into this, not the OP