‘She kept calling me a liar’: Employee coming off of 12-hour shift rejects coworker's last-minute plea for shift coverage, coworker bombards her with a lengthy, audacious text message

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Mar 19, 2025 11:00 PM EDT

In certain lines of work, calling out due to sickness or for a family emergency is oftentimes impossible due to the nature of the work you're doing. So, you must always make sure you're getting your shift covered if you know you're going to be unavailable for your assigned shift.

However, it's common knowledge that things happen out of our control and we are beholden to the uncontrollable factors of life. HOWEVER, however… your shift coverage should not be someone else's problem, and calling a coworker out for refusing to pick up a 12-hour shift after they've already worked a 12-hour shift is highly entitled. 

The coworker in this next story goes so far as to call their fellow employee a "liar" because they got their facts wrong and were fired up on their own entitlement to notice that the employee was, in fact, not lying about where they needed to be. Also… I'm pretty sure working 24 hours straight is illegal. Scroll to see the bold text message the employee's entitled coworker sent to them.

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  • The employee explains that after working a 12-hour shift, her boyfriend Ubers to a park near her workplace, and she drives over to him. She lives 25 miles away, and she is typically exhausted after her day shifts, so her boyfriend takes the driver's seat and chauffeurs her home. When the employee's coworker asks her for last-minute shift coverage (giving her only one hour in advance,) the woman declines, explaining her situation. This coworker decides to run off with her assumptions and sends her a lengthy text that might land her in hot water.

  • "Boss already received the screenshots."
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • "AITAH for not covering a coworker’s shift when she had babysitter issues?"

    I work 12-hour shifts, mostly nights, but on Saturdays, I work day shifts. My boyfriend Ubers to a park near my job, and I drive
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • there after work so he can take over driving since we live 25 miles away, and I'm extra tired from the schedule change.
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • At 5:20 PM, my coworker texted me asking if I could cover her shift because her babysitter was having issues. I was busy with my patient and didn't see it until 5:47
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • PM. I responded, "I don't think I can, I have stuff to do tomorrow that I can't cancel" (I had Disneyland tickets for my little sister). When she didn't reply, I
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • followed up with, "Can you let me know if you're coming in or being covered, please? I have someone picking me up today and don't
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  • know if I'll have to cancel with them too." She replied that she was on her way, so I said, "Okay, thank you, drive safe," and thought that was the end of it.
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • 1
    via Brett Jordan for Unsplash
  • I finish my shift, head to the park where my boyfriend is, and suddenly get hit with this message:
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  • "Just an FYI, count me out on ever covering a shift for you. Especially when you lie about getting picked up today when you clearly had your car. I don't appreciate liars. I had an
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  • emergency with my kids and their babysitter, yet I still managed to come to work. If you want to show this text to Boss or Manager, please feel free to. We
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • can also have a conversation with them in person if you feel attacked. I am not coming at you maliciously. At the end of the day, we are coworkers, and we have to
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  • be on the same page for the patient. There will be no ill will or tension on my end, but just as you are not available for coverage, I will no longer be available when you need it."
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • I was upset because we've never had issues in the past however I tried to be mature, I replied: "Excuse me? I'm not lying. Not that I have to explain myself to you, but on Saturdays, my boyfriend Ubers down to pick me up so I don't have to drive home exhausted. I'm not sure where the hostility is coming from?"
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • She kept calling me a liar because she saw my car. But here's the thing-this coworker has been late to shifts so many times. I've waited up to 4 hours for her to show up because she had things going on with her kids.
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • I've covered her shifts, swapped shifts, and the only times I've called off in 3 years were during the LA fires when I wasn't sure when/if I'd have to evacuate, and once when I had food poisoning (and even then, I gave over 12 hours' notice).
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  • So... what would you do in this situation? How should I handle it? Do you think I was in the wrong at all? I personally don't think so, but I'm open to hearing different perspectives. Let me know your thoughts!
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • TheSilverFalcon Don't cover for her in the future, she has clearly stated she is not your friend. It might be a good idea to show the text to your manager, depending on your manager. You are nicer than you needed to be already, she is acting inappropriately aggressively to a coworker. She's not your boss and can't punish you for not covering for her
    via TheSilverFalcon
  • EmmaWilliamsD Covering shifts is a favor, not an obligation. Your coworker is acting entitled and unprofessional, especially considering how often you've accommodated her in the past.
    via EmmaWilliamsD
  • You don't owe her an explanation, and her reaction was completely out of line. I'd keep it professional, document everything in case she escalates, and set clear boundaries moving forward. If she refuses to cover for you in the future, that's her choice just don't go out of your way for her anymore either
    via EmmaWilliamsD
  • basicb h823 NTA but keep it short when responding to stuff like that. just a simple 'sorry i cant today' is all you need. extra details is exactly why she felt she could attack u even more (i think she might have regardless but definitely added fuel to the fire).
    via basicb***h823
  • Cali_Holly NTA She said that if you feel attacked that you two can go to management. I suggest going to HR and include a meeting with management. Your coworker may be acting entitled and is incredibly r de, but she does have good ideas.
    via Cali_Holly
  • Ok_Problem_545 LOL! don't worry, boss already received the screenshots.
    via Ok_Problem_545
  • ceb1995 NTA, it's part and parcel of having kids that you have to be prepared for childcare to fall through sometimes and no one has any entitlement to their colleagues covering their shifts.
    via ceb1995
  • glueintheworld Wait, so she expected you to work 24 hours straight? No matter what she is out of line. NTA
    via glueintheworld

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terrible coworkers aita workplace-stories work stories AITAH work coworkers reddit story entitled people karma workplace entitled reddit thread Reddit entitled people
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