Coworker expects colleague to take a client call during their unpaid lunch break, gets annoyed when they refuse: ''He told the potential client that I "didn't remember them"

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Aug 22, 2026 7:45 AM EDT

When did an unpaid lunch become a workplace negotiation?

I'm sure we've all worked with a person in the past who doesn't know how to be a coworker. See, when you work in an office, slowly and over time, you'll learn the ethics and the unspoken codes there are. And when it comes to coworkers, this is especially important, since you are an equal, and being a good peer and a sort of "backup" is important for having a good relationship with them, as well as a healthy relationship with work and the office. 

That being said… I think this man was never told about these things. 

When someone takes their lunch break, which is very important for mental health and for taking the time to recharge and to relax a bit before getting back to things, the other coworker should cover for you, because they will do the same thing when you're on your break. Is that simple… And, according to the story posted in r/Career_Advice, I guess the man was upset that she didn't want to take that client call and decided to roast them in front of the client, telling him lies about the employee.

I'm guessing they work in a sales department of some sort, so having a strong and good first approach with a potential client is fundamental to success in the business, so you can imagine that telling one that the employee "can't remember them" is just a big no-no. And I'm sure the man did this out of revenge, because the employee didn't want to ruin their unpaid 45-minute break with a call that could have perfectly waited a couple more minutes. 

Again, this is a good example of how not to behave as a coworker. I just don't understand why someone wouldn't try to be a good friend in this case and respond politely to the client that they are not available at the moment and will reach out in a moment… it was that simple! Even I, who'm not working in any sales department, was able to answer that in a split second.

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  • Coworker answering a client's phone call at his desk while another colleague is away during their lunch break.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Coworker answering a client's phone call at his desk while another colleague is away during their lunch break.

    Licensed media provided as editorial context.

  • Nice, I'm sat.

    I'm probably just venting.
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  • Okay, sounds fair for everyone.

    I take my lunch break every day at 12:30pm. That's been the routine since I started this job about 14 months ago. Someone called the office around 12:45pm. We don't have direct lines, so the phone rings for everyone
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  • and someone is supposed to answer within three rings. My coworker answered, and it turned out to be a potential client I had spoken with fairly recently. At the same
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  • time, I was in the break room getting my lunch ready and cutting up an apple.
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  • Of couse... lunch break time has to be respected.

    As soon as I got back to my desk with my food in my hand, my coworker told me who was on the line and asked if I could take the call. I politely told him I was on my lunch break and would call them back when I was
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  • Mmm... why would he get upset?

    done. He pushed again, so I repeated myself. Then he responded in this annoyed tone: "...uh, alright?" as if I was the one making excuses.
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  • Oh no... bad attitude from a coworker. They are supposed to have your back at all times!

    Then, while he was still on the phone, he told the potential client that I "didn't remember them" and told them to email me "to remind me," and that I'd answer when I got back. That is not what I said at all.
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  • And of course! I'd also been upset.

    And that's the part that really bothered me. I respect my coworkers' time. If someone calls asking for a colleague and I know they're eating, or on break, or have their
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  • This is what supposed to be done when other's are taking a little break.

    office door closed, I offer to take a message or tell the caller to try again later. I don't make it sound like my coworker has forgotten who they are.
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  • Coworkers eating lunch together during a break from their workday at the office.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    Coworkers eating lunch together during a break from their workday at the office.

    Featured likenesses do not identify those mentioned.

  • Just avoid the coworker and move on... there's nothing else to do about it.

    Honestly, I'm thinking about talking to HR about it, but he's one of the long-time employees who everyone seems to like, so I'm not sure it's worth the headache. Either way, for the past few weeks I've been very
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  • Good call... maybe look for other place to work!

    close to leaving even without another job fully lined up. I recently had a recruiter screen and got moved on to the next stage, which is a 50-minute in-person interview, so I'm hoping it goes well and leads to something so I can get out of here.
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  • sephiroth3650 This is not an HR complaint. You're annoyed with the way your coworker handled this call. That's a management issue. And HR will tell you to go talk to your boss if you go to them about this. Your options are to talk to your coworker about it, to escalate to your boss, or to let it go. If it were me, and I was about to quit anyway, I'd just ignore it.
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  • ownroom2950 People are annoying no matter where you work that's my truth
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  • gaytee You will have to enforce boundaries with people everywhere you go. That said, your colleague is a and id spend the rest of my time at that job trying to get them fired. They lied to a customer bcz they didn't wanna do their job, which was to cover. Seems like you're working in a sales type role, which means you're gonna deal with selfishbpricks forever.
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  • Caseman307 I don't even pee off the clock during my work day. Your coworker is a
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  • taliruls im on the side of you should have taken the call (to either have it or tell them yourself that you're about to grab lunch and You'll call them back), wierd for him to be that extra but I understand the annoyance
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  • PoppyFire 16 I'd talk to a manager about how you just heard your coworker lie to a client.
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  • Artistic_Rice_9019 You're about to leave anyway, so take it to the manager.
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  • Busy open-plan office where coworkers share calls and daily responsibilities throughout the workday.
    via Unsplash+ (via Arlington Research)

    Busy open-plan office where coworkers share calls and daily responsibilities throughout the workday.

    Stock photo unrelated.

  • Poundaflesh Sit down with your manager and coworker and iron this out. That coworker might have cost you and the company business and management should know how this was bungled. Review that when on break that you are unavailable and to respond professionally. I would really be upset!
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  • Man_wo_a_career He's setting you up for a big fall. Are you doing better with less seniority and experience? He's jealous.
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  • beachbum818 Sounds like you need to handle this with your coworker...HR isn't going to do anything here. Am them why they misrepresented you on the call
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terrible coworkers lunch break phone call coworkers client sales
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