A 22-year-old retail worker had an approved day off for a weekend trip when a coworker asked last-minute to swap shifts. The worker declined, but the coworker later told the manager the shift was covered and claimed a family emergency. When the poster told the truth, the coworker was fired, and online readers largely sided with the poster, emphasizing the importance of honesty in workplace scheduling.
Friend Fired After Lying About Covering a Shift — Retail Worker Told Manager the Truth
A 22-year-old retail worker had an approved day off for a weekend trip when a coworker asked last-minute to swap shifts. The worker declined, but the coworker later told the manager the shift was covered and claimed a family emergency. When the poster told the truth, the coworker was fired, and online readers largely sided with the poster, emphasizing the importance of honesty in workplace scheduling.
10:40 AM, 11/16/2025Society
Friend Fired After Claiming a Shift Was Covered
In a cautionary retail story about trust and consequences, a 22-year-old employee says she lost a friend after telling her manager the truth about a last-minute shift swap.
The poster, who works in retail, had an approved day off for a weekend trip home with her boyfriend — a 4–5 hour drive. Two weeks before that Friday, a coworker called asking to swap shifts after being invited to a last-minute desert party. The poster declined, explaining she already had the day off and travel plans.
According to the poster, when the coworker didn't accept the refusal she became upset and then told their manager she had a family emergency and that the poster had agreed to cover the shift. On the day in question, no one arrived to work for the coworker’s shift.
"So when my manager called me and asked me why I wasn't at work since my friend said I would be working her shift, I told her the truth and my friend ended up getting fired," the poster wrote.
The decision to be honest prompted backlash from the fired coworker, who accused the poster of "throwing her under the bus." Online commenters largely supported the poster, arguing that honesty and reliable communication are essential in retail settings where staffing affects the whole team.
Why this matters
Retail schedules depend on clear communication; a false claim about coverage can leave a store short-staffed and harm coworkers. While choosing between loyalty to a friend and responsibility to an employer can be difficult, many readers noted that protecting workplace trust is important for everyone's safety and fairness.
Takeaway: If a colleague misrepresents your availability, telling the truth to management preserves professional integrity, even if it strains personal relationships.