Colleague Enthusiastically Denies Covering an Entitled Mom's Shift After She Tries to Guilt-Trip Them, Claiming They Don't ‘Have a Life’ Anyway

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Sep 16, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

Being a working parent means your mornings probably look more like a circus act than a serene still-life. Juggling pre-made lunches, to-go coffees, shoe-tying, teeth brushing, and a call from your boss all before 8 AM can make anyone start to lose their marbles a bit, but this chaotic lifestyle certainly doesn't grant you a free pass to demand a favor from your coworkers–especially if you're using your family as an excuse to receive special treatment in the workplace. 

The mom in this next story, however, struggled to balance motherhood and employment, turning snarky and passive-aggressive towards her coworkers to get her shifts covered… Little did she know, she was dealing with a steadfast crew who had a life of their own they weren't willing to sacrifice.

Besides, insults don't get you very far when you're begging for a favor. 

Who knew! We all have plans outside of work, so when this mom came barging into the workplace telling–no, commanding–her younger coworker to pick up her shift, their colleague, u/Reginaldmuscles, was not receptive. Apparently, this working mom never learned that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

Read on for all the details of how this parent seriously insulted their coworker in a (failed) attempt to get their shifts covered. 

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  • 01
    Entitled Co-Worker Thinks I Should Cover Her Shifts Because She 'Has a Life
    via Reginaldmuscles and ljubaphoto
  • 02
    I work with this one co-worker who always seems to think her time is more valuable than everyone else's. A few days ago, she asked me (more like demanded) to cover her shift because she "had plans" and didn't want to cancel. I told her I couldn't because I already had things going on that day.
    via Reginaldmuscles
  • 03
    She rolled her eyes and said, "Well, you don't have kids or a family, so it's easier for you to take extra shifts." I was shocked! Just because I don't have kids doesn't mean I don't have a life or commitments!
    via Reginaldmuscles
  • 04
    She even tried to guilt-trip me, saying that I should be more understanding because she's "balancing so much." I stood my ground and said no, but now she's acting all passive- aggressive at work.
    via Reginaldmuscles
  • 05
    Why do some people think their responsibilities are more important than yours?
    via Reginaldmuscles
  • 06
    Pathfinder6227 I am a shift worker, and I try to help people with shift give ups. In return, I expect them to help me. If they don't, I'll never cover another shift for them. If someone approached me with this attitude, I would not only not cover that shift, I would never cover any of their shifts because I can promise you they will never cover yours.
    via Pathfinder6227
  • 07
    underscore197 I'm a mother and whenever I hear this kind of thing I get so disgusted. Having kids and juggling time is nobody else's business but the parents's. You owe her nothing. If she was responsible enough to have kids then she's responsible enough to take care of her own stuff.
    via underscore197
  • 08
    Amethyst-talon91 That part! Lots of parents work, and it doesn't mean our time is more valuable than anyone else. I get so sick of entitled parents making us look bad.
    via Amethyst-talon91
  • 09
    littlebittlebunny Thank you!!! This!! I had a woman try to pull this on me during the holiday season back when I was in my early 20s. My entitled Karen of a coworker comes up to me and goes "they just put up the Christmas schedule and I SO CANNOT work that stupid Christmas shift.... I'm a mother!!! So you'll do it for me, right, okay good" (not even waiting for me to answer)
    via littlebittlebunny
  • 10
    (I worked at Denny's to set the setting) just as soon as she said that my dad walks in with my baby (he had been coming in once a weekend with my infant to help with my PPD because I'd lose it on my lunch break from separation anxiety). So I go scoop up my little and look at my coworker and say "according to you, I can't work Christmas either, since I'm a mother. I guess you'll have to find someone else.
    via littlebittlebunny
  • 11
    She then proceeded to get upset that I " lied about my mother status" to which I said "no, I just don't feel to make my parenting status everyone else's problem, as no one here needed to know whether I was blessed with a crotch goblin, I'm here to do a job" she didn't care for that either but at least I never had to listen to her whine about being a parent again
    via littlebittlebunny
  • 12
    Rolling Beardo Having kids doesn't give you a free pass. Unfortunately I'm on call for my job on Halloween this year, which is basically my kid's favorite holiday. I'm going to ask if someone can cover for me for a couple hours, but if they can't I'll have to explain to my son that I'm not able to go with him this year. It would I and we'd both be disappointed but it's just the reality of the situation.
    via Rolling_Beardo
  • 13
    Pretty 865-Artwork Its management's job to cover shifts. Tell them she is harassing you. Don't put up with that
    via Pretty865-Artwork
  • 14
    zomgitsduke I always have the pocket excuse of "If you think caring for kids is tough, wait til you start taking care of elderly parents..." and stare at them. Used it once, the person immediately backed off.
    via zomgitsduke
  • 15
    Jekyll 1886 Well, you don't have kids You're right, I don't. Which makes YOUR kids and YOUR family YOUR issue, not mine. Not my kids and family, not my problem to take care of.
    via Jekyll_1886
  • 16
    dangerous skirt65 Ma'am, your life decisions, including having children, are not my problem. Sorry.
    via dangerous_skirt65
  • 17
    toddfredd I worked with one who, if she didn't feel like working would make a phone call home then a few minutes later get a call that her daughter was “sick" and off she'd go. Was so frustrating and she got away with it until a new boss said she needed a doctors note when she returned.
    via toddfredd
  • 18
    MissyWilling I hate this i'm a single parent and I hate hearing this BS by your co-worker. "i'm balancing" no Susan you are not, you are attempting to make me balance your life and I did not sign up for that. I get its hard but its no one elses responsibility but theirs!
    via MissyWilling
  • 19
    "Not my problem"
    via ljubaphoto - Getty Images Signature via Canva

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boss shift worker favor employee manager job work coworkers working mom working moms ceo employees cover supervisor workplace family parent denied company mom coworker business parents
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