Mom refuses to continue driving her coworker home after she made her 20 minutes late for picking up her 7-year-old son from after school care: 'The daycare charged me a $25 late fee'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jun 15, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

If there's one thing I hate, it's tardiness. I'm not talking about someone being late once, but rather chronic lateness that persists without resolution. I know that every time I hang out with one friend that shall remain nameless, the train is not running 20 minutes behind, despite their claims. They chose to leave when they did, which means they didn't give themselves enough time to arrive somewhere on time in case the train actually does run late. I know that might sound excessive to some, but that's what I do, and I am hardly ever late for any event I'm supposed to be at. It's way better to walk around the block for 10 minutes than to be running to your destination, hoping that you'll manage to be less than 15 minutes late. Just because society says it's acceptable to be late doesn't mean you have to accept that. 

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • The worst thing about being late is that it hurts the people you are late to see. The woman in this story tried to help her coworker who had fallen on hard times, but her tardiness cost her at least 25 dollars and some strife on top of that.

  • 01

    AITAH for not giving my coworker a ride anymore after she made me late to my kids pickup?

    I work with this girl Melissa who doesnt have a car right now because hers broke down last month. Our shifts end at the same time and she lives sort of on my way home so I started giving her rides. At first it was just supposed to be temporary until she could figure something else out.
    via u/wathanhein
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10517085440
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • 03
    The problem is Melissa is always running late leaving work. She takes forever to finish up her tasks and then needs to use the bathroom and check her phone before we can go. I usually have to pick up my 7 year old son from after school care by 6pm or they charge me extra fees.
    via u/wathanhein
  • 04
    Last Tuesday I told Melissa we needed to leave right at 5 because I had to get my son. She said ok but then at 5:15 she was still at her desk doing something on her computer. When I reminded her I was waiting she said she just needed 5 more minutes. We didnt leave until 5:30 and I ended up being 20 minutes late to pickup. The daycare charged me a 25 dollar late fee.
    via u/wathanhein
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10517095936
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • 06
    I told Melissa that was the last time and I couldnt give her rides anymore if she was going to make me late. She got upset and said I was being unfair because its not like she makes me late on purpose. She said her job requires her to finish certain things before leaving and she cant just drop. everything.
    via u/wathanhein
  • 07
    Now she has to take the bus which takes her over an hour to get home instead of the 15 minute ride with me. A few other coworkers are saying Im being mean especially since I know she doesnt have much money right now. My manager even made a comment about how we should help each other out as a team.
    via u/wathanhein
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10517096192
    via Vitaly Gariev

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

  • 09
    Melissa keeps asking if I can give her rides just on days when she promises to be ready on time but I dont trust that she actually will be. She also suggested that I could just pick up my son a little later but the daycare closes at 6:30 and I dont want to risk it. AITAH for cutting off rides to my coworker
    via u/wathanhein
  • 10
    Madam UnicornOfDoom Nta. If she can't be on time that's on her. You don't need to wait for her. If you still are debating about giving her rides just tell her I am leaving at x time whether you're ready or not. So you getting a ride home depends on you not me.
    via u/MadamUnicornOfDoom
  • 11
    sitnquiet This is exactly it, OP. If you want a ride, be ready to go at 5 because that's when I'm leaving. Everyone else who is kibbitzing about you being "nice" or "part of the team" can help her finish her work on time. This boundary is not unreasonable.
    via u/sitnquiet
  • 12
    ProjectGameGlow The manager has already commented. It is time for the manager to be a team player and let Melissa leave at 5
    via u/ProjectGameGlow
  • 13
    Jpmjpm Manager fed up by telling OP to help her out. If OP really wants to be petty, they should ask manager how to fill out the request for overtime (waiting on Melissa plus driving her home), mileage reimbursement, and $25 late fee reimbursement if Melissa makes OP late. I guarantee manager will change their tune.
    via u/Jpmjpm
  • 14
    WhimWaffle nah you're not the ah, you did a nice thing and she took advantage. your kid comes first, not her broken time management. she had chances, she fumbled. bus it is.
    via u/WhimWaffle
  • 15
    Mimalifen Exactly NTA. Helping out is kind, but not your responsibility forever, especially when it starts affecting your kid. Boundaries matter.
    via u/Mimalifen
  • 16
    Queenofhackenwack and melissa is an ADULT.... needs to work on her problem solving skills..... your kid comes first................
    via u/Queenofhackenwack
  • 17
    LunaPerry 1980 Plus, the boss is sticking his nose in the wrong area. Instead of saying "we all need to work as a team, they should have told her, look, the OP has got her own personal obligations, and once she said no, that's it. End of discussion."
    via u/LunaPerry1980
  • 18
    Zombieversusworld The manager won't mind giving her a lift then will they based on their comment
    via u/Zombieversusworld
  • 19
    Peaceful-Spirit9 And your pocket book for late fees. And I used to work at a daycare and sometimes had to unwillingly work late because of parents coming late. And the kids not knowing when parent was coming was sometimes hard in them, although many times their parents were repeat offenders so the kids knew not to expect them to be there on time. So coworker being late has a domino effect. Why don't others in OPS office offer to give her rides if they feel so strongly about it?
    via u/Peaceful-Spirit9
  • 20
    JessieColt NTA Tell her you are leaving at 5pm, if she is not at your car at 5:05pm when you leave, she will have to find other ride home.
    via u/JessieColt
  • 21
    Kiwitechgirl This is what I was going to say. Tell her you're perfectly happy to give her a ride but you're leaving at 5:05 and not a minute later. If she's in your car then, fine. If she's not, that's on her.
    via u/Kiwitechgirl
  • 22
    AlexGlimmer92 she had one job, be ready on time. she failed. multiple times. u warned her. ppl calling u mean don't gotta pay that late fee or deal with a stressed out kid. not their problem so easy for them to judge
    via u/AlexGlimmer92
  • 23
    ForwardPlenty NTA. She broke your trust and has put her finishing tasks ahead of you being on time to pick up your son Not only should she have picked up the late fee, but she needed to make an effort to be on time since you were doing her a favor.
    via u/ForwardPlenty
  • 24
    She is still unwilling to commit to leaving on time, so the other coworkers who are saying you are being mean should step up and give her a ride. You gave her a chance, and she is unwilling to make changes that would allow you to meet your commitments. S ks to be her, but you tried to help out and she messed it up.
    via u/ForwardPlenty
  • 25
    abbyy007 Nta. You offered her a favor not a contract. When a free ride starts costing you money and risking your kid's care it's more than fair to set boundaries. Helping others shouldn't come at the expense of your own responsibilities
    via u/abbyy007

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

terrible coworkers daycare workplace-stories jobs toxic-workplace job carpool coworkers reddit story driving tardy karen coworker workplace late in the workplace
Scroll Down For The Next Article