Should I help my co-worker?

Question

One of my co-workers whom I do not really respect , due to her character has asked me if I can work some days for her. She has told me he wants time to spend time with her 6 year old son, which I dont mind helping her if it is her son. However, she is very lazy and she would not do the same thing if it was someone else. I dont want to punish her son and I am not out there to get revenge, but I dont think she earned it. She would not do this for anyone else, even if she has nothing going on in her schedule. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

she's probably lying about the "son" story, she's probably really going to go to a party

Answer 2

I don't know what the issues are with her character that you have, so what I am going to say is somewhat blinded here.  But, you don't know what is going on in her life.  Perhaps, she is going through some hardships that is causing her to act a certain way, and maybe she is not helping others out at work b/c she simply can't handle one more thing right now.  I would consider that and be a friend to her.  Let her spend this time with her son, and pick up the extra shift.  She may not have earned it at work, but I bet that she is earning it at home if she is a mom.  Mothers are never off duty.  We work 24/7 whether we are at work or at home.  And there is nothing a mom appreciates more than quality time with her son.  She will remember you as the one person who helped her out (perhaps noone else has there yet, I don't know).  If you know of a particular day that you want off in return now, you should ask for her to switch days with you, otherwise, just take the extra days.  

God bless you for being the one nice person in the office, and please, try to respect all mothers.

Answer 3

Who cares the reasoning on her side! Do you need the hours? Would it help you? GOt to answer this cause you wont be expecting it in return.....right?!

Answer 4

What are you giving up - or getting - for helping her?

I never minded picking up a shift because, hello, money!  But if it means forgoing time with your loved ones?  I might not be so fast to accept.

And you always have the option of taking one shift and putting her in the position of asking others for help.  Who knows?  If she feels she's in debt to half of her colleagues, perhaps she'll behave *slightly* better.

Or not.

Answer 5

I would say help her out. Only because she probably wants to spend time with her child. Just think of it this way your helping the kid out more so then her so the kid gets be with the parents.

Answer 6

this can be taken in two ways......................tell her no!!!!! in spite of who she / he is. OR confront your boss by saying i will work for her but i am letting you know i am doing this for myself to earn extra money and for the boss (brownie points) let your boss know that you will only do it this one time and try to get your boss to side with you if any problems should arise should you need the same favor in return.

Answer 7

If her character is in question here I can guarantee she's not taking time off to spend it with her son...she's just using that as an excuse to make you more likely to say yes. And regardless, you are not responsible for the time she spends with her son. That shouldn't matter. She is his parent and that is her own issue, not yours. Politely decline and let her know that it simply is not possible for you.

Answer 8

I would say help her out, but before you do, ask her if she would be willing to do the same for you if you ever needed her to.  If the answer is no, tell her to find someone else.  If she truely wants to spend time with her son, she will be more than happy to do the same for you.