“Snitches Work Thanksgiving”: Employee Tries To Scam Co-Worker Out Of A Holiday Shift And Loses Big

In the corporate version of The Hunger Games, holiday shift swaps are the weapons of choice.

We all know the drill: when the holiday schedule drops, the office transforms into a chaotic marketplace. Deals are made, alliances are forged, and sometimes, expensive bottles of wine change hands just to avoid working on Christmas morning. It is a delicate ecosystem built on trust and desperation.

But one office worker recently learned the hard way that if you try to cheat the “black market” of shift trading, you end up broke, alone, and working while everyone else eats pumpkin pie. When an entitled coworker tried to report her savior for “extortion” to avoid paying up, she found out exactly what happens when you bite the hand that feeds you (turkey).

Now, read the full story:

There is a special place in HR Hell for people like this coworker.

First of all, let’s pour one out for the OP using a classic Homer Simpson quote to justify a business transaction. Flawless execution.

But on a serious note, the audacity here is staggering. This coworker tried to pull off a “Schrödinger’s Deal,” she wanted the shift covered, but she didn’t want to pay the price. By reporting the “extortion” to the boss before the shift even happened, she was likely hoping management would force the OP to work the shift for free to “correct” the unethical behavior. It was a calculated scam.

She played the “but I have kids!” card, then the “I told my parents!” card, and finally the victim card. It’s immensely satisfying that the entire office realized she was a snake. If you break the unwritten laws of the office underground economy, you get exiled. Simple as that.

Expert Opinion

This story highlights a toxic clash between “Parents” and “Child-Free” employees, a dynamic that is increasingly polarizing in the modern workplace.

According to a study by ResumeLab, 72% of employees believe that parents use their children as an excuse to get out of work, and 74% of workers without children believe they are forced to work more overtime/holidays because they don’t have offspring.

This “parental entitlement” creates a breeding ground for resentment. The coworker in this story clearly devalued the OP’s time simply because his plans involved Friends reruns rather than a stroller.

From a psychological standpoint, this behavior is a breach of “Social Exchange Theory.” This theory posits that social behavior is the result of an exchange process: we weigh the costs and benefits. Workplace relationships thrive on reciprocity. The “shift market” OP described relies entirely on trust.

Dr. Paul White, a psychologist and author regarding workplace culture, notes that “Trust is the currency of workplace relationships.” When the coworker involved the boss, she didn’t just break a deal; she hyperinflated the currency. She signaled that any deal made with her carries the risk of administrative punishment. No wonder she has been blacklisted; she is now a high-risk investment.

Community Opinions

The jury is in, and they have zero sympathy for the snitch. 

Real Talk: Don’t Get Caught Slipping

Okay, look, working in a place with a “Black Market” for shifts is great until it isn’t. You need to protect your neck.

1. Cash is King, but Paper Trails are Poison:
If you are doing sketchy “under the table” swaps involving cash, never discuss it on company email or Slack. This coworker was dumb, but she could have gotten you fired if the company policy was stricter. Keep these convos on personal phones or, better yet, verbal only.

2. The “tax” on Snakes:
When someone shows you they are a snake, believe them the first time. The OP played this perfectly. If someone tries to snitch to get out of paying, you don’t just cancel the deal, you blacklist them forever. You cannot do business with a liability.

3. “No” is a Full Sentence:
You don’t need a valid reason to deny a shift swap. “I have plans” is enough. You don’t need a baby, a sick grandma, or a flight to Bermuda. Your plan could be staring at a wall for 8 hours. It is your time off. Guard it jealously.

Conclusion

Workplace politics is often a game of give and take, but this coworker tried to take, take, and then tattle. By weaponizing the boss to save a few bucks, she ensured she will be spending every major holiday for the foreseeable future under the fluorescent lights of the office.

Justice is served, and it tastes like turkey and Friends reruns.

So, was the OP right to leave her stranded, or should he have taken the high road? Let us know what you think!