Woman moves in to same apartment building as coworker, demands free rides to work every day: 'Walking to my vehicle, I hear my name being screamed many times'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 29, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Coworker relationships operate on a delicate balance, perhaps even more than most other kinds of relationships that we have. On the one hand, being polite and cooperative is an essential part of being on a team, and you can be penalized if you don't embody these qualities. On the other hand, it is important to maintain appropriate boundaries for the sake of professionalism and in some cases, personal sanity. 

As in any environment where we have little choice about who we are surrounded by, there are almost always going to be colleagues who test our limits now and again. This is annoying enough when it happens in the office, but when it also takes place outside of working hours, it can feel like an inescapable punishment. It also makes the issue a lot trickier to navigate. It isn't as simple as finding places to hide from them in the workplace.

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    Coworker and I live in the same apartment complex; she's been approaching me at home for a ride to work, unplanned and uninvited.

    My co-worker just moved into the same apartment complex where I live in. She lives quite a ways away, but still in a walking distance from me. Last week Thursday, I was walking to my vehicle and I hear my name being screamed many times through the air. It was my co-worker from her balcony. She was yelling something else that I couldn't quite hear, but I was leaving for work and didn't have time to stop by. She was needing a ride to work.
    via omggallout

  • When one individual's coworker moved into the same apartment complex as them, they quickly came up against an awkward issue that they saw no escape from. The woman began demanding that they give her a ride to work every day, screaming from their balcony as they walked to their car.

    The woman had previously gotten a ride from another colleague, but this stopped after a disagreement. Her new target did not want this new arrangement to continue as they valued their alone time during the commute. They shared their story.

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    Cheezburger Image 10535619584
    via Musa Ortaç

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

  • 03
    That Friday, she was screaming my name as she's walking towards me from her apartment building, yelling that she needed a ride to work. I told her that I could bring her, but I couldn't bring her home, and I won't be able to bring her this week. Honestly, I'm not comfortable at all with her just showing up to my vehicle and expecting a ride. Nor screaming my name from afar. It's not a proper way to act. She was getting a ride from a co-worker, but they got into a tiff. Her supervisor has offered
    via omggallout
  • 04
    I've been thinking today that this is going to happen again tomorrow. And I'm sorry to say, but even if I'm headed straight to work, I won't be giving her a ride. I'm a loner and I like being by myself on the ride to and from work. I'm just thankful that I don't park anywhere near my building because I could see her just showing up unannounced and screaming my name until she found my apartment. It's just weird to me. We're not at work. This is where I live and I would like my personal time and s
    via omggallout
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    Cheezburger Image 10535619840
    via Curated Lifestyle (Unsplash+)

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

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    Commenters advised on how to proceed.

    ParkingLoad1996 The fact that she's already driven off one person doing this is a warning. Tell her no, and if it escalates, report it at work.
    via ParkingLoad1996
  • 07
    Tricky-Stuff2060 Not tryna be r ide but she gotta learn boundaries—this ain't Uber, it's ur personal space.
    via Tricky-Stuff2060
  • 08
    Flicksterea You need to be direct about this. People are so afraid to just speak up and say no, instead being passive aggressive and tiptoeing around issues. Now you don't mention whether or not you two work within the same department, or how turning her down may impact the workplace. Honestly, it shouldn't matter. You need to say that you're not going to give her rides to and from work. If she pushes, wants a reason? Tell her what I tell my five-year-old. Because I said no. Then walk away. Is i
    via Flicksterea
  • 09
    cheerful_cynic And tell her that all screaming across apartment complexes will be completely ignored, that is ZERO way to communicate
    via cheerful_cynic
  • 10
    marteautemps F that, I used to sometimes run into one of 2 coworkers on the train on the way to work and I even really liked them(well one of them mostly) but just dreaded it. I need that time by myself before work as an introvert.
    via marteautemps
  • 11
    andronicuspark There's a reason the other person has ceased to drive her around. Do not give her a ride. If your boss or her supervisor says something to you about it, take that sh to HR. Seriously, what with her screeching, if you know you guys get off work the same time and she gets a ride from someone else I'd take the scenic route home or circle the block a couple of times to make her finding out where you live even more difficult. Maybe even let the leasing office know. "I'm a private perso
    via andronicuspark
  • 12
    yours truly_1976 You've got to face this head on and tell the coworker she needs to find another way. And screaming from the balcony?
    via yours_truly_1976
  • 13
    stinkiie That's not just uncomfortable, it's intrusive. You're absolutely right to set boundaries; your home life shouldn't feel like an extension of the office.
    via stinkiie
  • 14
    Original-Error404 Expect her to just wait at your door or car early next time so you 'can't miss her.' So better to be direct and say no. Then, mention this to a supervisor just in case she gets the head start of telling others and spreading rumors to smear your reputation over being bt hurt about it.
    via Original-Error404
  • 15
    NiobeTonks I suggest telling her in person at work that you can't give her a lift to work. Then email to confirm, perhaps with a link to your town's bus company
    via NiobeTonks
  • 16
    GoatLorde Do you have headphones? I would pop those in before you leave!
    via G0atL0rde
  • 17
    flibble24 I literally just had to do a workplace education on this. This is harrassment if you tell her you don't want to take her and she continues to ask you
    via flibble24
  • 18
    Bklyn ThrowAway1 Remember this: 'No one can take advantage of you without your permission.'
    via BklynThrowAway1
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    JCurtJr Yell back "Uberrrrr"
    via JCurtJr
  • 20
    Superb-Fail-9937 Do not let this woman in your life! I understand she works with you, but do not let her in your personal bubbles.
    via Superb-Fail-9937
  • 21
    desertboots Nip this in the bud. If you manage to get to work without an interaction tomorrow a.m., take a supervisor to witness and go inform her that you are not available for ridesharing. If she asks/demands why, state that you owe her no explanation and refuse to be harrassed about it. In fact, you don't want to have a hostile workplace so she needs to deal with her disappointment or frustration on her own time and without involving you or gossiping about you. You've now put her on notice, i
    via desertboots
  • 22
    Imaginary-Chocolate5 Offer her the name of the app for your local transit. Bring it up in an office meeting or break room. Have a fee per trip of like $25 each way, and they have to sign a non liability waiver in case you get into a crash. Have acid rock blasting. Have a friend call and talk about some weird skin rash they have from dating some creepy person on a blind date, and that you will now need to have the seat professionally cleaned to kill the virus. And since they sat in a mini skirt,
    via Imaginary-Chocolate5

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ride employee car work coworkers workplace reddit thread Reddit entitled people apartment
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