Would you feel obligated to switch shifts with someone in this circumstance?

[Locut0s]

Co-worker's wife just went through surgery of some type I believe. He took her surgery day off then called in sick the next day. Today he called me on my day off and asked if I could switch shifts with him tomorrow (I'm off tomorrow). I didn't feel like it so I said I was busy. I don't really like the guy all that much but this IS my last week on the job and the other day he bought me a drink, said it was cause I'm leaving. He never mentioned his wife or anything about that at all. I'm feeling a bit guilty that I didn't. Course he can probably either find someone else to switch with or call in sick again. What would you have done?

 

[deadlyapp]

If I don't want to work when I'm called in, I won't. I don't give a shit what excuse they have because 90% of the time it's just to affect the next person's emotions.

 

[waffleironhead]

I'm a pushover when people ask me to switch shifts, but then they will be obligated to cover if you need to switch in the future. I would have told him to call everyone else first and then call me as a last resort if no one else could cover.

 

[Alone]

Nope; you're never obligated. If you don't want to go in on your day off, don't.

 

[Leros]

If there was a legitimate circumstance (needing to care for a family member, needing to attend a family event, etc) I would be very compelled to help and trade shifts.

 

[Locut0s]

If there was a legitimate circumstance (needing to care for a family member, needing to attend a family event, etc) I would be very compelled to help and trade shifts.

He never mentioned it to me though when he asked to trade and I only know through others. But yeah I do feel a little guilty, especially being my last week on the job. I do have stuff to do though.

 

[pcgeek11]

I may do it, but I would not feel obligated to cover his shift. Unless he has done so for me in the past.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

He never mentioned it to me though and I only know through others.

Yes, because a man whose wife just through surgery should be there to give everyone a detailed status report on his life. He still knew that you knew via the conversation of others.

 

[xanis]

You shouldn't ever feel obligated to take coworkers' shifts. That being said, I probably would have in you situation, only because he seemed to have a legitimate reason.

 

[Nebor]

If you don't like, fuck him, that's his problem.

 

[AreaCode707]

Not obligated but I would go out of my way in that situation, just as I would hope somebody would do for me if the positions were reversed. Karma collection, as it were.

 

[Locut0s]

Yes, because a man whose wife just through surgery should be there to give everyone a detailed status report on his life. He still knew that you knew via the conversation of others.

True.

 

[Leros]

If you have a situation that is important (such as a wife having surgery), you should be explaining that when you're asking to trade shifts.

 

[KK]

I don't mind changing up shifts every once in a while. Kinda feels like a new job, get to mingle with different people. Although we just did away with our evening shift and night shifts, so that kinda fucks that all up.

 

[BoomerD]

You're definitely not "obligated" to help the guy out, especially since you are leaving after this week. It would be the "nice thing to do" since the guy has a family medical emergency though...Do you still get paid for the shift? Maybe even overtime?

 

[Locut0s]

You're definitely not "obligated" to help the guy out, especially since you are leaving after this week. It would be the "nice thing to do" since the guy has a family medical emergency though...Do you still get paid for the shift? Maybe even overtime?

He would have been switching one of his off days for one of mine, so it's the same number of days worked for the week. Same pay, no overtime. I do now actually have something I'm supposed to do tomorrow, help paint a room in a house my parents rent. Though at the time I said I couldn't I didn't have anything.

 

[TheVrolok]

Are you obligated to? Nah, but I would have.

 

[dabuddha]

Obligated? No. Would I have? Probably.

 

[Juddog]

Obligated? No.

Would I do it as a favor? Yes. I've actually been through a situation like that before and covered the other person's shift. They ended up buying me a bottle of booze in return, which I didn't even ask for, but I was thankful for.

 

[lxskllr]

If there was a legitimate circumstance (needing to care for a family member, needing to attend a family event, etc) I would be very compelled to help and trade shifts.

This, especially since he bought you a drink. I wouldn't help someone who was a professional dickhead, but I'll work with people who are decent, even if I'm not a fan of them.

 

[LookBehindYou]

Like most have said, obligated, no. Would it have been the right thing to do? Sure.

 

[SP33Demon]

If you don't like him, then no. If you want to rake in a little good karma, then sure.

 

[Fritzo]

I help anyone at work in any way I can. The favor is always returned. ATOT is full of douchebags.

 

[BabaBooey]

If I did not want to go in,I would not have.

 

[waggy]

Not obligated but I would go out of my way in that situation, just as I would hope somebody would do for me if the positions were reversed. Karma collection, as it were.

/this