'I’m clocking out and walking out': Overworked employee has enough of taking over two coworkers who keep hiding in the back

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 2, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

It's not easy being the employee that everyone can depend on…

For starters, that's a lot to live up to and can add unnecessary pressure on top of the normal stress that comes with the work day. Then, there's the fact that as soon as people begin to realize that you are overqualified and far too good at your job than you necessarily need to be, those same people will start giving you more work. 

Sometimes, it's not even the manager. In this case, two coworkers thought they could get away with disappearing in the back room in the middle of a shift when this diligent employee was present. They felt he could take on all their responsibilities without any complaining and that they could spend the rest of their shift gossiping and getting nothing done. Unfortunately for these slackers, all good things must come to an end, and it would only be a matter of time before the overworked employee had enough.

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    Cheezburger Image 10512241152
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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Zane and Marissa do sound like abysmal humans to have to go to work with. Not only do they frequently shirk their responsibilities, but when confronted about it, Marissa tried to act like her clocking in earlier than she needed to was justification for her recurring disappearances during her work shifts. Several members of the online community shared their similar experiences with coworkers like Zane and Marissa. Who else has had to deal with people like this?

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    I (M) work in a place where two of my coworkers, let's call them Zane and Marissa, have developed a habit of vanishing into the back room together
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    during shifts. Every time we're scheduled together, they disappear for long stretches, leaving me alone up front doing all the work.
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    And it's not a one-time thing, it's a pattern. I'm left juggling everything by myself while they're God knows where, doing who knows what. It's frustrating, demoralizing, and honestly just disrespectful.
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    OH AND GUESS WHAT!! Management has already talked to them about this. More than once. Nothing changed. Zane and Marissa keep doing it like they're invincible.
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    And if you try to bring it up directly, Marissa immediately gets defensive and snaps with something like, "Well I've been here since [whatever time she clocks on] and I already did everything!"
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    Okay?? And?? You're still on the clock?? It's not your break time?? Just because you were here earlier doesn't mean you're now entitled to vanish and leave your
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    coworkers stranded like it's recess. We're all getting paid to be here and do our jobs, not hide in the back while someone else cleans up the mess.
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    So I've reached my limit. this has been happening for over a year. I've decided that the next time they both disappear into the back
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    and stay there for more than 10 minutes, I'm leaving. I'm clocking out and walking out. I'm done being the only one who cares.
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    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

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    Some people are telling me that's dramatic or unprofessional, but I feel like it's the only way anyone's going to take it seriously. So... AITA if I walk out next time they vanish on me again?
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    BeautifulParamed... · 11h ago Report it. Everytime. Its managements job to sort them out, not you. Theyve been spoken to once, hopefully good managers will escalate.
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    Neenerkat • 11h ago Family emergency. A family member called and you had to leave. You tried to find them to tell them but couldn't find them. Leave a note up front and punch out. Let the chips fall...
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    get dup ⚫ 10h ago NTA But thats dumb; just go back there with them and make it as awkward as possible. "So, what you guys up to. Can I watch?"
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    Goozump 11h ago NTA but kind of dumb. Sort of likely to be considered quitting your job. Might just tell your boss that you are fed up and will quit if it continues.
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    Watching Telly Now • 10h ago Why don't you go out the back and join them? "You guys have been out here for ages, it's my turn now. And there's nobody up front, so you'd better get a move on. I'll be out in [however long they've been hiding]."
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    Traditional_City_3... 11h ago . Why in the world would you wait until the next time? Leave this job and find a better place to work with better management.
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    Fancy_Introductio... .7h ago OP, I would casually mention the new cameras that have been installed in the back room!
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    Lea....6h ago . Edited 5h ago I think you should consider the possibility of not caring. Do only your job, only at a pace that works for you. People are waiting an hour for fast food? Not your problem. People can't pay
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    cause you're not currently at the register? Not your problem. Let the customer complaints pile up, let the work pile up, let the place fall apart, whatever is relevant. Make this situation somebody else's problem.
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    Anyone asks why you're the only one here? Be honest and short. "My colleagues are in the back" "For an hour?" "Yes". No speculation on what they're doing. Let people reach their own conclusions.
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    Stop feeling the job needs to get done. This mindset will burn you out in this situation. I'm guessing you get paid by the hour and receive the same wages if the place is doing well or not. It's the manager's job to
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    keep the place running smoothly and only the owner gets more money if you do the job of three people.
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    Just try to not care, cause clocking out will result in less income for you and it's the only thing you should care about
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terrible coworkers aita workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace AITAH job work coworkers company toxic-work-environment
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