Employee steals $45 of colleague's expensive coffee pods, gets offended when they ask to be repaid: 'I never offered to share them'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 25, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

It is quite staggering the number of people who have a bold idea of shared ownership when it comes to the workplace. With some individuals, it seems like the moment they set foot in a new job, they are given a license to take what they please from their coworkers. While there are times when colleagues are happy to share, in most cases, this behavior amounts to no more than petty theft.

From food in the breakroom fridge to stationery on a personal desk, there are no limits to what these entitled thieves may decide is rightfully theirs. The difficulty arises in identifying them and then putting a stop to that behavior. Some victims come up with all kinds of creative revenge that just about manages to evade the watchful eye of HR, but others just hope to be reimbursed for what they've lost. To nobody's surprise, this reaction often doesn't go down well.

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  • 01

    AIO for asking my coworker to pay me back for the coffee she's been taking from my desk?

    Ok this feels petty but I need to know if I'm being reasonable here. There's this coworker who sits near me and for the past month she's been helping herself to the fancy coffee pods I keep at my desk. At first I didn't mind because it was just once in a while but now it's literally every single day, sometimes twice a day.
    via HabitCapable289
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10534597888
    via Ionela Mat

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

  • One individual found themselves dealing with this issue when they finally confronted a coworker who had been taking their expensive coffee pods from their desk. Calculating that she had stolen up to $45 worth of coffee pods, they asked if she would reimburse them.

    This colleague's reaction was to make accusations that they were a cheapskate, starting to ignore them in the office, and badmouth them to other people. They wanted to know if they had taken things too far.

  • 03
    These aren't cheap either, they're like $1.50 per pod and I only buy them because I'm trying to cut back on my Starbucks spending to save money for a vacation. I calculated it out and she's probably used about $45 worth of my coffee in the past month. Yesterday I finally said something like "hey just so you know those pods cost quite a bit, would you mind chipping in or bringing your own?" and she got super offended. She said she thought I was just being nice by sharing and that it's weird to ke
    via HabitCapable289
  • 04
    But the thing is I never actually offered to share them? She just started taking them one day and I was too awkward to say anything at first. Now apparently I'm the bad guy for bringing up money. She's been giving me the cold shoulder all week and even made some comment to other people about how I'm "nickel and diming" her over coffee. But like, if someone was eating your lunch every day without asking you'd say something right?
    via HabitCapable289
  • 05
    nizio Lungo N Linizio Lunge ungo Lina Roma
    via Jisu Han

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

  • 06

    Outsiders wanted this coworker to see consequences for her behavior.

    2centsof cks "She said she thought I was being nice by sharing." "Well, that was very presumptuous of you. I never offered them to you; you just started taking them without asking (which, for the record, is called stealing). It's starting to add up, and I can't afford to keep funding both of our coffee habits. But if you truly think I'm 'nickel and diming you over coffee,' how about we switch off, and you can buy me coffee twice a day for the next month, sound good?" NOR. If you can, start locki
    via 2cents0fcks
  • 07
    paupaupaupaup NOR. If you can, start locking up anything you don't want her sticky fingers getting caught on in a desk drawer or something. Or a backpack if OP's office doesn't have desk drawers.
    via paupaupaupaup
  • 08
    bluebopazula NOR - Did you tell her how much she cost you? Not making excuses for her, she sounds horrible, but I wonder if she has no idea how much she cost you. I think you should make sure she knows that you're not upset over a small amount, if only to stop her from talking sh If I were you, I'd let her know you heard her complaining to other people about it and that you wouldn't have an issue if she only cost you $5 or so, but that she used up $45 worth of your coffee pods and you can't affo
    via bluebopazula
  • 09
    Tricky_Dog1465 Personally, I would tell other people too so she can not go around and say that she's only costing $5 worth of coffee. Maybe I'm vindictive but I'm okay with it
    via Tricky_Dog1465
  • 10
    AwkwardDiscipline224 It's not about money! What is yours is yours. Others should ask nicely before taking anything from you. Common respect where I come from. Denmark, Europe
    via AwkwardDiscipline224
  • 11
    Obviouslynameless I would point out that she would have to pay at a store, so why should it be different with you. Why do people accuse someone of being insensitive or nickle & diming someone when businesses do it all the time. I would respond to any comments from her or coworkers about you being insensitive or cheap with something like - her taking them without permission is actually stealing or she is the one being insensitive or cheap by expecting someone else to support her habits.
    via Obviouslynameless
  • 12
    NotTheBadOne I love this response. Does she think she can walk in any coffee shop or anywhere around town and get free coffee? Absolutely not!
    via NotTheBadOne
  • 13
    AnniAnnihilation NOR I never actually offered to share them. She just started taking them one day and I was too awkward to say anything at first Unfortunately it's time to speak up for yourself and tell her exactly this. She's taken advantage of you because you're "too awkward to say anything" and she knows you won't do anything. Prove her wrong.
    via AnniAnnihilation
  • 14
    Rendeane NOR. Put the pods somewhere she can't reach them. Lock them in a cabinet, drawer or box. You haven't spoken up until now, so you can't charge her for the past. Yes, she's an A-h_e for treating coffee like a free candy dish. If she asks why they are no longer available, tell her the truth. "I can't afford to give them away any longer. You can buy them for yourself on Amazon."
    via Rendeane
  • 15
    NYCStoryteller NOR. Tell her that if she's not paying for them you will report her for STEALING THEM to management and HR, because you never offered them in the first place, she just took them, and then assumed they were free for everyone. And if she's going to be complaining about you to co-workers, you'll add harassment and hostile workplace language, too.
    via NYCStoryteller
  • 16
    expiredadobo You aren't overreacting at all but hopefully this can be a lesson on speaking up. Calling her out from the beginning for taking without asking would have been best but at the end of the day if she was "sharing" she would show up with a box as a nice gesture and replace the one she's been using. Every office has that one persons that oversteps boundaries. Sometimes you have to stand your ground. Don't let her gossiping about what you said guilt you into letting her take advantage of
    via expiredadobo
  • 17
    queentracy62 Coffee is expensive and will get even more expensive. Lock up your pods and then put a jar on your desk that says pods 1.50. Follow me for more petty advice LOL not overreacting. People touch my coffee they know what'll happen to them.
    via queentracy62
  • 18
    FunStorm6487 I broke down and bought like 8 giant cans of coffee at Costco months ago because every time I went in the price was up 2$ (hmm wonder why). Price is now up ANOTHER 8$ since then!! I would fight someone over the coffee I don't even drink!!!
    via FunStorm6487
  • 19
    Priority_Decent Dude she's an a h_le. Don't let her turn this around on you. Tell her to pay what she already drank and if she doesn't want to chip in then tell her to off. People like that really grind my gears man.
    via Priority_Decent
  • 20
    Prestigious-Bluejay5 Hopefully, she continues to give you the cold should. Problem solved. It's really telling that you're too cheap to let her steal from you. Sheesh!
    via Prestigious-Bluejay5
  • 21
    andiollieoop NOR, times are tough out here and you're allowed to change your mind that doesn't make you a bad person. She can buy her own coffee if she's unhappy with you asking for help in replenishing stock she is dipping into.
    via andiollieoop
  • 22
    Dana Marie75038 If it's on your desk, it's not for public consumption. If you told me that, I'd be very apologetic and bring 2x of what I've consumed. People will take advantage!
    via DanaMarie75038
  • 23
    Sad-Country-9873 NOR - just tell those that say something to you, well so far it has been about $45 she has taken from me without asking. I can't continue to fund her coffee.
    via Sad-Country-9873

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