Coworker plagiarizes teammate's work for major project and presents it as her own, tries to get them to do her work even after being called out: 'Rachel had basically copied my work and presented it as her own'

It's no secret that many of us despised group projects when we were in school. The unfortunate reality is that group projects unintentionally were teaching us an important lesson: that working with other people and depending on them to do their part and make an equal contribution—that you'll both ultimately be judged on—is a certain kind of suffering, but suffering that you need to learn to abide.

When you were doing these group projects, the fact that you were being held responsible for someone else's work that they hadn't done and that they were getting to take credit for your work that they made no contribution to seemed unfair. But it's not until you graduate and get your first job that the importance of this lesson becomes clear… The reality is this: you're going to be doing "group projects" for the entire rest of your life, and you're going to end up with plenty of "project partner" coworkers who take credit for your work, expect you to pick up the slack on theirs, and outright plagiarize your ideas and contributions.

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Author image for Brad Dickson Brad Dickson
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  • So, while we didn't even know it, we were getting a sneak preview into what our lives in the workplace would really be like, watching other people coasting along on the coattails of your efforts and getting credit and promotions that they should never have been considered for.

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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

    via Emma Dau
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  • This marketing worker was confronted with this harsh reality when working on a “big” project with her “disengaged” and slothful coworker, several years her junior. After sending her completed section of the project to her coworker, her coworker simply copied that work, taking full credit for it as her own. The extent of this plagiarism only became clear during the presentation of the project to the big-wigs of the company, leading to a confrontation between the two afterward in private during which the coworker refused to admit to stealing her work.

    Now her coworker wants her to help her with the next section of the project, too, a request which she has adamantly refused despite pressure from the other members of the team.

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    This marketing professional felt confronted after finding that her coworker had taken credit for her work in a big presentation

    AITA for refusing to help my coworker with her project after she took credit for mine? Advice Needed I (30F) work in a team of five at a marketing company, and we've been working on a big project for the past few weeks. I've been putting in a lot of extra hours, staying late, and really pushing myself to get things done on time. My coworker, Rachel (28F),
    via MoonlitPixie47
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    is part of the team, but she's been a little... disengaged. She's been missing meetings, showing up late, and not really contributing much to the work. I've tried to help her get caught up and offered to work together, but she always seems too busy or distracted.
    via MoonlitPixie47
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    Last week, we were finalizing the project and I sent over my section for review. When it came time for the presentation to the higher-ups, I found out that Rachel had basically copied my work and presented it as her own. She didn't even acknowledge that I helped her or that the work was mine. I was pretty livid but didn't say anything during the meeting, trying to keep it professional.
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    Afterward, I confronted her about it and she played it off like it was no big deal. She said she was just "too busy" and didn't have time to work on her part, so she "used mine as a reference." I told her that it wasn't a "reference"―it was my actual work, and she took credit for it.
    via MoonlitPixie47
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    Now she's asking me to help her with her next part of the project, but I'm really upset and don't feel like I should. I've worked hard, and I feel like she's trying to take advantage of me. Our boss has noticed she's been slacking lately and is counting on me to help,
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    but I just don't think I can support someone who has already taken advantage of me like this. I'm getting a lot of pressure from the team and even some friends to just let it go, but I'm standing firm on not helping her. AITAH for refusing to help her after what she did?
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    She appealed to this online community to see whether or not she was in the wrong for her reaction and for refusing to help her coworker on the next stage of the ongoing project

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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

    via Emma Dau

  • Should she escalate this situation to management, or is simply calling out her coworker and confronting her on the issue enough? Readers seemed to think that she should be tackling this issue head-on and making sure that management was aware of what had taken place

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    Traditional-Day1... .7h ago You need to talk to your boss about her taking credit for you work and explain that you aren't comfortable with putting in that amount of work for her to steal it. She needs to step up and do her own work.
    via MoonlitPixie47
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    MoonlitPixie47 OP 7h ago · I've always tried to be a team player and help others, but I feel like Rachel is taking advantage of me. I don't think I should be expected to help someone who didn't do their part and took credit for my work. I'm just trying to protect my own contributions and not let her walk all over me.
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    Altruistic-Staff-... • 7h ago • You should talk to your boss about the situation. It's your boss's job to manage how work is spread amongst the team. Maybe you should ask to be part of the presentation if you work on the project, that way you will both get credit. Also, when the project is done, send an email to your boss with the total number of hours spent on the project.
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    GroovyYaYa 7h ago You need to gather any and all CYA proof you have (cover your a ). Document, even in a calendar or just a simple Word document (or equivalent) of conversations you remember.
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    BlueGreen_1956 · 7h ago. NTA Tell Rachel to go jump. Once bitten, twice shy.
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    _gadget_girl • 7h ago . Let your boss know why you are hesitant. Bring in proof. Going forward keep copies of your work, cc your boss. when corresponding with Rachel. Tell your boss that you want to help and be a team player, but you draw the line at being used and taken advantage of. Let him know you are 100% willing to help getting the project completed as long as the two of you can figure out a way to make sure that Rachel can't poach your work.
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    Ok_Resource_8... 7h ago. If the boss has already noticed she is slacking, now is the time to tell the boss you will be more than happy to help her AGAIN, but this time you would like credit for your work. When he acts surprised, DO NOT THROW HER UNDER THE BUS EXACTLY, but tell him with the first part she was overwhelmed with all the work and didn't have time,
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    so she took what you had done and presented it as hers. Now you know she probably didn't have the time to add your name to the work, but you worked hard and would have liked a little acknowledgement. She gets exactly what she deserves.
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    enypcbk 4h ago • • Not the a h le at all. Rachel had the audacity to steal your work and then act like it was no big deal? Helping her now would just enable her behavior. She needs to own her responsibilities, not rely on you to bail her out after blatantly disrespecting you. Stand your ground, and if your boss starts asking questions, be upfront about what happend.
    via MoonlitPixie47
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    BecGeoMom . 6h ago • I don't know how this will play out for you, but the next time she steals your work, when she starts to present, jump up and say, "Oh, I didn't realize we were doing my part now! I'm ready. I'll take over from here." And then present your work. In fact, maybe you should just do her part of the project, but don't help her, just do it. Then present it as your work. Because it is.
    via MoonlitPixie47
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    AuroraXX76 . 7h ago • NTA. Honestly, she didn't deserve your help after what she did. It's one thing to be busy, but it's another to take someone else's work and pass it off as your own. You have every right to refuse to help her. She needs to learn that actions have consequences.
    via MoonlitPixie47
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