Coworkers criticize employee for going to the movies after work instead of donating her money to her coworker: 'I feel like I'm being watched.'

Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor

Jun 12, 2026 12:30 PM EDT

What she does with her money is none of their business!

In many industries, it's considered inappropriate to ask your coworkers how much money they make. If you find out that your coworker is making $20K more than you for the same exact job, it's going to make it a whole heck of a lot harder for you to focus and actually be motivated to do your job well. It can be beneficial for employees to know how much their coworkers make when it comes to negotiating a raise, but knowing how much your coworker makes doesn't always guarantee that you're going to make the same amount of money as them.

At the end of the day, even if you know how much money your coworkers make, it doesn't mean you know their financial situation. They could be bankrolled by their daddy, with their job serving only as something fun for them to do during the day. They could be spending basically all of their disposable income on student loan debt, leaving them no money to hang out and socialize after work. I think it's unprofessional in any context to ask your coworker how they spend their money. It's really none of your business if they're struggling with bills or living it up.

The coworkers in this story started pocket-watching a new hire because she said she didn't have enough money to donate to her coworker's vet bills. They were angry that she used money she didn't even earn at her job to go to the movies with her friends instead of paying someone else's bills. Incredibly strange behavior.

via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

_{A model representing a 30-year-old woman going to the movie theatre and eating some concessions that she bought with money she made selling some old dolls.}
Am I the bad guy for going to the movies instead of donating to an employee emergency fund?

via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via Jo Szczepanska

_{A representation of a donation box for a coworker who's had a bunch of expensive veterinary bills as of late.}
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via Quilia

_{Vending machines, which even people in financially difficult positions can afford to use every once in a while.}
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Necessary-Book1855
via u/Everyonecallsmenice
via u/LabInner262
via u/W0nderingMe
via u/KaetzenOrkester
via u/Fun-Spot663
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via u/WavesnMountains