I, 23F work at a coffee shop with Kayla 26F. 15 months ago she was sobbing about vet bills and rent so I lent her $800 cash. We wrote it down, both signed it, 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 then posted a vague sob story in the work group chat. Now half the team thinks I’m a harsh for holding money over her head. I’m out almost $800 and tired of being her doormat.
AITA for finally saying no?
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 played the victim.
If things don’t go well just take her to small claims at this point.
Exactly! She’s been using me as her personal safety net, and it’s time I cut ties and prioritize myself. I’m done being her enabler
>Now half the team thinks I’m a harsh for holding money over her head
Then there’s nothing stopping them from covering her shift or paying you your 700 bucks. NTA.
NTA but when you get the money back don’t lend her any money again. People like this will always be “skint” and paying for expensive stuff, meal and going out.
They’re never getting that money back.
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.
NTA. A loan is a loan not a gift. She’s a manipilator and she’s clearly taking advantage of you. Even played the single mom card when you demanded for your money
If she would work her scheduled shifts she’d have the money to pay you back.
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.
Tell the team that if they cover the 700 then you might consider helping her, but not after a double shift!
Why don’t the team members who think you are being harsh, take up her shifts?
NTA. Should have said “no” a lot earlier. Like when she was crying about rent and vet bills.
Never lend money you can’t afford to write off.
It’s harsh, but necessary.
She made it public by taking it to the work chat. You need to, in the work chat, list
1. When money was lent, agreement for repayment, when the $100 was repaid, amount outstanding
2. The number of concerts, tattoos and expensive items you know she’s got since then INSTEAD of repaying you
3. Number of shifts you’ve covered for her since then
4. Number of times she’s refused to cover for you
5. How many hours you would have worked having come off the double and needing to close if you’d covered for her (and the fact this was the first refusal)
Then state anyone who has an issue can cover for her.
Then you need to let her know if she doesn’t repay you in the next month you’re taking her to small claims court.