AITA for Refusing to Help Pregnant Coworker Due to Personal Grudge?

Some people don’t recognize a favor, even when it’s right in front of them. In this Reddit post, a 29-year-old guy, OP, says he refused to cover for his pregnant coworker, Sarah, even though she needed help during a crucial project.

The drama did not start with pregnancy. OP claims Sarah and he were on good terms until she got a promotion he also applied for, and he didn’t get it. Now that she’s juggling work and prenatal appointments, she asks him to cover, and OP admits he couldn’t shake the resentment, so he told her he was too busy.

Now OP is stuck wondering if his grudge cost Sarah the project, and that prenatal appointment request is the moment the whole situation flips.

Original Post

I (29M) have a coworker, let's call her Sarah (27F), who is pregnant. We used to be on good terms until she got a promotion that I also applied for and didn't get.

I admit I was bitter about it, but I tried to move past it. However, recently Sarah asked if I could cover for her on a crucial project while she attends a prenatal appointment.

I know she's been overwhelmed balancing work and pregnancy, but I couldn't shake off my pent-up resentment. I deliberately told her I was swamped with my own tasks and couldn't help.

Now, I'm starting to feel guilty about potentially jeopardizing her project. Was I in the wrong here?

So AITA?

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This is similar to the AITA where a coworker insisted her coworker take over pregnancy work duties.

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OP was fine with Sarah until the promotion fiasco, and that same bitterness is what he used when she asked for coverage on a crucial project.

Sarah’s prenatal appointment request sounds urgent, but OP frames it like a chance to finally “balance the scales” after losing that promotion.

Instead of offering even a partial swap, OP deliberately told her he was swamped, even though the project timing could put her in a bind.

With the project at stake and Sarah counting on him, OP is now staring at the guilt he tried to ignore after saying no.

We're curious to hear your perspective. Share your thoughts in the comments.

He might feel justified right now, but that prenatal appointment could be where his coworker paid the price.

Still think Sarah should have covered you, check out the AITA where someone asked a pregnant coworker to cover during complicated pregnancy.