Employee refuses to cover shift for coworker Chris, who blamed him for missed email: 'Given what happened in the meeting, I'm not available to cover for you'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Feb 8, 2026 3:00 PM EST

This guy made a coworker his scapegoat, and he's surely regretting it now. 

As that song by the New Radicals goes, "You only get what you give." This is very good life advice! What you put into your life — your projects, your work life, your friendships and dates — is often exactly what you get in return. It's not always a 1 to 1, literal translation of the phrase, but it's basically a good reminder to treat people how you want to be treated.  

In the workplace, this might work on certain people, though of course, anyone with a cranky boss knows that just because you're super bubbly and nice to them, doesn't mean they'll treat you the same way. With coworkers, it's a little different. If you cover for one person when their kid is sick, they will remember that and value it. Sticking up for people when they need help is going above and beyond, and they will probably return the favor to you at some point. And even if they don't, everyone around you, possibly including some bigwigs, will recognize you as a team player and a good human being. 

This person had the perfect response of that nature, all thanks to a coworker who tossed them under the bus! This person did the CYA thing – he did send an email for final approval, plus a follow-up, but his coworker Chris either ignored it or just totally missed it. Welp. What else can you do if you've already followed up? Your part of the work is done now. 

That didn't stop Chris from using this guy, Mark, as his scapegoat mid-meeting. Mark even pulled up their emails on the spot, which must've left Chris humiliated. And, as you can read below, Chris then expected Mark to do him a favor. Read the room, pal! You just tried to dodge blame at someone else's expense, and now you're expecting a favor? You're going to have to actually apologize and make it up to him first, perhaps a nice lunch outing could smooth things over. But people don't just always forget and forgive — Mark is still going to remember that for next time. It's quite the interesting tale, and Mark is definitely not in the wrong here. If anything, he's being way more professional than Chris is. 

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  • 01
    Coworker in blue suit presses palms on table while speaking to man and woman sitting at desk with their heads in one hand looking dismayed
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

  • 02
    Need a reality check on some workplace drama. Our team had a review meeting after a project deadline was missed. The delay was due to "Chris"
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 03
    missing his part of the work. When our boss asked what happened, Chris said, "I was waiting on final approval
    via u/HistoricalData3332
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    from Mark, they said they'd get it to me by Tuesday but it never came." That was a lie, I had sent him the approval email a week prior and even followed up.
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 05
    I corrected him on the spot with the email as proof. It was awkward, but the boss moved on. Chris didn't apologize.
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 06
    Fast forward to this morning. Chris texts the work group chat that his car broke down and he desperately needs someone to cover his afternoon shift.
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 07
    After radio silence, he DMs me directly. I wrote back, "I saw your request. Given what happened in the meeting, I'm not
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 08
    available to cover for you. Good luck." He's now telling others I'm being vindictive and letting personal feelings affect the team.
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 09
    Some are saying I should have just helped out to keep the peace.
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 10
    AITJ for refusing to bail him out after he tried to make me the scapegoat for his mistake?
    via u/HistoricalData3332
  • 11
    Coworker in blue suit holds palms up in questioning gesture towards man and woman sitting at desk with their heads lowered
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

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

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