Entitled coworker tries to steal employee's intern to sabotage an upcoming work project: 'I’m not going to lie down and let this happen'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 16, 2025 2:00 PM EST

Not every pair of coworkers is meant to get along, but that doesn't mean you have to go out of your way to undermine one another.

This corporate employee recounted the story of how a difficult coworker, "Katy," tried to sabotage her before a large upcoming project was due. In this small workplace environment made up of 15 employees and a few interns, the employee managed to get two interns assigned to her after Katy only expressed interest in having one intern shadowing her. 

Over the years, the two coworkers constantly butted heads on various disagreements regarding office politics, power dynamics, and workplace responsibilities. I suppose it was only a matter of time before the interns were roped into this conflict as well.

Katy's intern left the company, and suddenly, she didn't have someone she could boss around, nor did she have someone whose work she could take credit for in team meetings. Now, Katy was setting her sights on a new intern, and instead of convincing human resources to list a job posting online, she wanted to take one of the author's interns instead.

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  • Her argument was that the author did not need two interns, but truth be told, she did, especially because of the latest project she was taking on. Keep scrolling below for the author's account of the story and for the feedback she received from folks in this online community!

  • 01

    "Coworker asked Boss to transfer one of my interns to work for her. How do I respectfully tell my boss 'Over my d*ad body?'"

    TLDR: My coworker's intern is leaving. I have two interns that I manage. My coworker asked our boss to transfer one of the interns to her. Coworker is toxic, is on the brink of being fired, and
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 02
    I need these two interns for a big project. I'm meeting with my boss tomorrow to talk about the interns. How do I respectfully shut this down. with minimal drama?
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  • 03
    I work in a small corporate office (15 people) with 3 interns. The office has a director ("Boss") and two teams; I manage one team and my coworker ("Katy") is a on the other team. Katy manages one intern, and I manage two interns.
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 04
    Katy and I do not get along at all. We've worked together for years and Boss has learned to just keep us separated. I was recently promoted, which Katy resents. She rolls her eyes. when I speak during meetings, undermines my decisions, and, like
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 05
    now, often complains to Boss about unfair treatment to get her way. Boss is a pushover and ignores her behavior to keep the peace. When I've spoken to Boss about how she treats me, he chalks it up to "just girls fighting" and to "figure it out yourselves."
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 06
    Katy's intern is leaving. She went to Boss to ask for another intern, and somehow they landed on her getting one of my two interns.
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 07
    Katy and Boss don't know this, but Boss's Boss called me in for a one-on- one last week and told me that both Katy and Boss might be let go due to performance and behavior issues. I'm the only one in the office who knows about this, and I do not want my two
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 08
    interns caught in the crossfire in case that does happen. Katy is also toxic, a terrible role model, and often claims other people's work as her own. I do not want my interns subjected to any of that.
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 09
    I also have spent months building a rapport with these interns, as well as training and prepping them for a large project I have coming up in January. Project will last at least through May.
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 10
    Obviously this is my strongest argument. However, I'm super nervous that Boss is just going to assume I'm being "emotional again" and that is just another "girl fight. (Yes he is a mogynist; it is well documented with HR.) He could very easily just say, "The is happening, deal with it."
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 11
    I don't want this to become a huge dramatic issue, but I'm not going to lie down and let this happen. What other arguments or logistics could I bring up. to keep my interns with me?
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  • 12
    (Additional context in case it is relevant: Katy knew her intern was leaving this month. A year ago, Boss. asked Katy if she wanted the new intern we were hiring. Katy said no. So
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  • 13
    new intern went to me instead. Katy was pissed at me for weeks once she found out. I'm 90% sure she's specifically aiming to poach this intern from me, even though she rejected him a year ago.)
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  • 14
    Two businesswomen sit next to one another in an office working on their respective tablets.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    NellieFl Okay strategy. Don't give an emotional reaction to start. Keep your voice controlled. You need to first lay out concisely why this will not work. Explain that you need X amount of resource to deliver Y project and seems as Chris is already familiar with our team and trained on the upcoming project he's not logical to try to replace. (Bonus points if you throw in boss's boss name and say he is particularly keen that this project runs smoothly.) Particularly not a good idea to transfer gi
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 16
    BlackShieldCharm Do not bring up any past issues you've had with Katy or point out any of her flaws. Your arguments will get dismissed as the result of pre-existing animosity or 'girls fighting.' Be factual, focus only on the current issue, and appear to be a team player eager to solve the team's problem. Point out how it would be counterproductive for you to hire a new intern when Katy gets yours as you'll then both be training someone. If Katy gets a new intern directly, only one person needs
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 17
    Mistress_Kittens This is a tough position to be in. Given that boss's boss went out of their way to give you this information, I would reach back out to them to have this conversation with them instead of boss. Boss obviously won't start taking you seriously anytime soon, and since the long term effects of moving your intern off your team would be detrimental to interns potential career path, the productivity of all teams involved, and all projects involved, tell boss's boss that due to previous
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 18
    istealpixels Your Boss's Boss told you about them getting fired before they knew? That is so unprofessional... What do you guys do? Sell red flags?
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  • 19
    Gonpostlscott "I I'm in a fortunate spot as having a lot of years and experience doing my particular job. I found out that several supv argue to get me on their teams. I hate being moved around and "breaking in a new supv. For the most part they leave me alone and let me do my work. But my current supv has specifically said "NO", not letting me go. So just do the same. No! I have big projects and these folks are already knee deep in the process. Can't afford to lose them without having to spend
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 20
    dataslinger >Boss's Boss called me in for a one-on-one last week and told me that both Katy and Boss might be let go due to performance and behavior issues. Go back to boss' boss and explain what's going on and that you need both interns for the project. When boss tries to pull one intern, just tell him that his boss already agreed that you need both interns.
    via EntropificationEcho
  • 21
    SweetBekki Can you speak to your boss's boss about it? He gets the final say right just incase your boss gets into "it's happening, deal with it"?
    via EntropificationEcho

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terrible coworkers fired intern advice overworked-employees Horrible Bosses quitting toxic-work-environment
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