Woman Called 'Heartless' For Refusing To Cover Shifts For Single Mom Coworker Who Owes Her $700

Lending money to people can be a precarious situation.

The act of lending can turn the best of relationships into nightmares.

Far too often, the borrowers don't pay back the loan.

There is always an excuse or just blatant disregard.

This is why some lenders have to get creative with ways to get their cash back.

Redditor Goldrubs1 wanted to discuss her experience and get some feedback, so naturally, she came to the "Am I The A**hole" (AITA) subreddit.

She asked:

"AITA for refusing to keep covering my coworker's shifts when she still owes me $700?"

The Original Poster (OP) explained:

"I, 23 F[emale] work at a coffee shop with Kayla, 26 F. "

"15 months ago, she was sobbing about vet bills and rent, so I lent her $800 cash."

"We wrote it down, both signed it, and she promised to pay back."

"But I've gotten exactly $100 total since then."

"Meanwhile, she's out getting new tattoos, Uggs, concerts, the usual."

"I've covered at least 14 of her shifts this past year due to hangovers, dates, I'm tired, babysitter issues, etc."

"Never once complained."

"She has never covered for me, not even when I've asked in advance."

"Last night she texted begging me to take her opening shift today because she's exhausted."

"I'd just worked a double and was scheduled to close again."

"I told her no, that I'm done covering until she pays back the $700 she still owes me."

"She freaked out, called me heartless, played the single-mom card, and then posted a vague sob story in the work group chat. "

"Now half the team thinks I'm a harsh person for holding money over her head."

"I'm out almost $800 and tired of being her doormat."

The OP was left to wonder:

"AITA for finally saying no?"

Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed in on some options to the question, AITA:

• NTA – Not The A**hole
• YTA – You're The A**hole
• NAH – No A**holes Here
• ESH – Everyone Sucks Here

Many Redditors declared that OP was NOT the A**hole.

"NTA. This seems very manipulative."

"She essentially scammed you of $700 and then repeatedly asked to cover her shift for unjustified reasons."

"Hangovers are entirely her fault, dates are her fault for scheduling, etc."

"She's using you to cover her arbitrary life issues, interfering with work, then plays the victim."

"If things don't go well, just take her to small claims at this point." ~ Outside-Bowler6174

"Exactly, she's using you."

'Whether she even sees it or not."

"I bet she does, but you're too nice, and she's figured that she can just walk all over you."

"And she did."

"Standing up to her is the right thing."

"Although she will likely decide you've been mean and use that as a reason to not pay you back because she thinks you owe her."

"You'll never see that money again." ~ Crafty-Asparagus2455

"NTA, as others have said, she's using you."

"I would tell her that you're going to be taking her a small claims court if she doesn't repay you."

"You can offer to make a payment."

"She gives you $100 a month if you want, versus a lump sum."

"Tell her, make no mistake, she needs to pay you back."

"And don't worry about what the rest of your coworkers are thinking."

"They can cover her if they're that upset about it." ~ Roadgoddess

"Sounds like you have other colleagues that she can ask to take over her shift for her."

"Let them know you'll send your debt-owing co-worker to them with hugs and kisses."

"Or they can put their hands in their pockets to pay you for her debt. NTA." ~ MidnightStarflare

"NTA. Ask the people who feel so sorry for her, where were they when she needed that money?"

"And why don't they chip in to help pay her debt?"

"People just want to be generous with YOUR time and money, but never their own."

"PS: Make note of as much info you can get about this person."

"I suspect she could disappear any day, and you might find yourself wanting to track her down."

"I'd also get up to speed about whether this would be eligible for small claims court (I have no clue) and what the process would be."

"It may come to that - you might never get the money back either way. Sorry." ~ wharleeprof

"NTA. Adopt the same 'couldn't care less' attitude she is demonstrating to you by not being accountable for paying back the loan."

"Who cares what the rest of the staff think?"

"It's not them she is using."

"Your mistake was not only to cover her loan, but also to cover her shifts."

"She correctly had you nailed as someone she could use from the get-go."

"Learn the lesson." ~ Mullein55

"NTA. You've just found the value of your friendship."

"Never lend what you're not willing to lose."

"It looks like you have three choices."

"1- Sue her for the loan; she's already proved it was a loan by paying back $100, so you should have no problem in court."

"2- Forget about getting the money back."

"3- Very unlikely, but hold out and give her time to pay you back."

"She has proven she's not your friend by effectively scamming you out of your money."

"Do you really need her in your life?"

"As you age, you will begin to understand this more, but people will prey on and abuse your goodwill." ~ The_Molemans_bawbag

"I worked with a girl who would ask to use my Amazon Prime to order stuff."

"The price would be like $22 and change with tax."

"When I brought her what she ordered, she would always be like all I got is a 20, can I get you later?" 

"After the 3rd time I said nope, no more... that was over like $6 or $7 bucks total... $800?"

"Damn, I would take her to small claims court with your signed agreement. NTA." ~ IdolCowboy

"NTA. Blast her on social media too if she's gonna play the pity party card."

"Call her out for being ungrateful that you were kind enough to loan her money 15 months ago for her vet bill she couldn't afford."

"Make it clear that constantly asking you to cover her shifts means she's willingly making less money and not prioritizing her 15-month-old debt to you." ~ Illustrious-Bug-6889

"NTA, but the better answer would have been 'I'm sorry, I'm exhausted too, and I can't take this shift for you. I just worked a double, and I need some rest before I work closing tonight.'"

"The money should have been addressed as a separate issue, even though it affects your willingness to cover for her."

"It's too late now to keep them separate, but if you get flak for not covering or 'holding money over her head,' mention that you have covered for her many times and she refuses to return the favor."

"You loaned the money that she refuses to pay back as well."

"You have always been a team player and helped anyone you could, but there is a limit, and in her case, you're just done."

"What would they do if someone borrowed almost a thousand dollars and wouldn't pay it back?"

"What would they do if they'd covered for someone over and over and then that person kept refusing to cover for them?"

"Unless they would be totally ok letting someone use them that way, they should not be saying anything about the situation to you."

"If they say they'd keep helping her, let them know they can."

"She takes off a lot of shifts and will be looking for someone to cover them now that you're done."

"You'll let her know they're the ones to call."

"If she needs money again, you'll let her know they've said they would help."

"It's such a relief to know that even though you're tapped out, she's still going to be ok because you aren't the only team player at work." ~ readergirl35

"NTA, exactly, BUT... the issue you have with her owing you $700 *and* the issue you have with her expecting you to cover her shifts and then not doing likewise are *technically speaking* two different issues (obviously they are related; she is overwhelmed and self absorbed) and that's where you might run into some trouble here with your coworkers."

"When she asks you to cover her shifts, the correct answer is: No, I can't."

"No explanation needed."

"And the $700 needs to be a separate conversation, like can we establish a payment of $100 a month or something." ~ bladaster

"NTA, but I'm assuming you don't have a H[uman] R[esources] so you need to talk to your boss or whoever handles complaints."

"Take screenshots of the group chat and any other responses, then file a report that she's creating a hostile work environment for you simply for asking for your money back."

"She's older than you and has taken advantage of you because you're young."

"If anything happens, you can try getting a free consultation with an employment lawyer."

"You need to learn not to take any crap in the workplace now, don't let her single-mom sob stories get to you."

"If she has it so hard, she wouldn't be out partying, dating, and going out spending your money all the time." ~ Euphoric_Egg_4198

"Why didn't one of her gallant supporters take the shift for her?"

"They could even take on her debt if they're so selfless. NTA." ~ FoundationOk1352

"She's taking advantage of your good nature."

"One of those shi**y, unburdening, purity-stripping lessons that you're better off learning earlier rather than later."

"Good work setting boundaries, but politically speaking, if you'd told her this is the last shift you're covering for her until she starts paying you back, then you'd have had a better chance of getting your money back."

"Welcome to the world of cynicism." ~ philopsilopher

"NTA. She's exposed her true self."

"The others will see it soon enough."

"You are under no obligation to fill her work hours; that is her actual job."

"You have a life too."

"Not 700 dollars more for a life with tattoos."

"But that's your time off."

"Where's my money, by*tch?" ~ Crafty-Asparagus2455

Reddit is with you, OP.

You are NOT heartless.

Maybe taking her to court is a good idea.

She signed paperwork saying she'd pay you back.

That may give her the shock she needs.