Coworker demands employee give her the answers to a work certification exam while they're out with family, then gets upset when they refuse to help her cheat: 'She’s going to make this my fault'

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jul 31, 2026 8:00 PM EDT

Saying "no" to the wrong request can create the biggest workplace problems.

What started as a simple request for study help quickly crossed a line when one employee was asked to provide answers during a company-paid certification exam. The coworker, who had already failed part of the test once, became increasingly frustrated after being refused. Now the employee is left wondering whether standing by their principles will spark even more tension at work.

First of all, I'm glad with the decision the OP made not to help her coworker cheat on the exam. This really resonated with me because when I was in college, one of my classmates was just like that. On her defense, she did work a lot while studying and sometimes didn't have much time to study. I did help her with my notes and things like that, but I never gave her the answers. Was I wrong? I really don't think so.

When it comes to college or majors like the one in this story, we cannot cheat. We're talking about our future career and the knowledge we need to have to do it properly, and if we cheat in every exam, we'll most likely not learn anything and then won't be equipped to fulfill our duties correctly. And especially in this case, those two women are health workers, meaning they should be able to perform each procedure correctly.

Also, that manager seems to be wonderful for covering the expenses of the classes because he wants the technicians to be professionals. So, how could she let go of an opportunity like this?

Although I don't like the attitude of her coworker, I wouldn't go to the supervisor just yet. I'd wait to see how she did in the exam, because if she fails and wants to blame the OP, then I'd go and tell him everything that happened, no matter the future consequences. I'd protect myself and my future if I want to keep working there. 

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  • Healthcare employee reviewing an X-ray as part of a workplace certification and medical imaging role.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Healthcare employee reviewing an X-ray as part of a workplace certification and medical imaging role.

    The person shown is a model, and this image is used solely to illustrate the story.

  • So, I am a front desk receptionist/x ray tech in a small private practice. My boss wants all of us to be certified x ray techs. He pays for the class, and then once we pass, he gives us a raise. It's very generous of him.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • One of my coworkers is, to put it nicely, an absolute train wreck. She is loud, abrasive, and picks her teeth all day.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • She also hides behind her screen when she doesn't want to do her job, and calls and screams at people on company time if her car insurance, medical insurance, bank, meds, etc. are not in order.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • I swear she spends more time yelling at customer service reps than she does actually working. Anyway. So she signed up to take the xray tech class. A coworker and I both offered to HELP her.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • My family and I were out back to school shopping earlier and she starts texting me, begging me to give her the answers to the test. Being that I'm out with my family, she starts getting huffy because I'm not answering her right away.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • A) I'm not putting my job on the line to help you cheat. B) I passed the test like a month ago, I don't remember the answers. C) The certification has several modules, all of which have 20 ish questions.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • I don't remember the answers to all 80+ questions. D) the test is OPEN BOOK. Print out the booklet that comes with the class THAT HAS ALL THE ANSWERS IN IT.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • I'm so stunned by her audacity that I don't even know what to say. Apparently she has already failed one module once, and I believe you can only retake the test once if you fail.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • I just know that on Monday, she is going to find a way to make this my fault. Should I go to my boss? | doubt he will fire her, and then I'll have to work with her afterwards. :/
    via Purse_Girl75
  • Certification exam answer sheet representing the workplace test at the center of the coworker dispute.
    via Unsplash+ (via Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu)

    Certification exam answer sheet representing the workplace test at the center of the coworker dispute.

    This photo is a symbolic representation and is not connected to the actual events or individuals.

  • Readers were very loud and told the writer she should send his boss screenshots about her coworker. This could probably protect her in the future if her coworker wants to go and blame her.

  • sfmxkitty Screenshot and send to your boss.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • VFiddly I'm generally very much a "don't snitch on people" kind of person but I'm pretty sure it's different when it comes to medical qualifications. That really is something that should be reported.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • JamieTirrock Hahah. Keep ignoring her, what can she do!? Be more annoying
    via Purse_Girl75
  • NMNOODLE Yep. Your boss needs to know.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • DoFr56 Do not help ignorance stay on your level! Where does that put you?
    via Purse_Girl75
  • Pur1wise I'd give the boss a heads up. If it wasn't a medical qualification in question I'd be more likely to let it slide but her incompetent a is going to end up causing issues for patients. The boss needs to know to protect the clinic's patients from her.
    via Purse_Girl75
  • Employee reading messages after being pressured by a coworker to share answers during an exam.
    via Unsplash+ (via Kev Costello)

    Employee reading messages after being pressured by a coworker to share answers during an exam.

    Image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the real people involved in this story.

  • Confident-Answer-654 Is it fair to have someone work with patients who is only there because she cheated? This is wrong and unfair all the way around. What if she hurts somebody?
    via Purse_Girl75
  • Upstairs-Quail5709 "I don't remember the questions from a month ago, they're randomly selected from a bank if questions anyway. I'm sure you'll be fine if you've done your preparation. Good luck"
    via Purse_Girl75
  • WhaleFarting Fun Let her fail the test and get fired.
    via Purse_Girl75

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