Young Employee Dog Sitting for Her Boss Refuses to Share the House with a Stranger
"The whole thing would have been really out of my comfort zone."
Workplace boundaries can be hard to navigate, especially for young employees who are just starting their careers. When a supervisor asks for help outside the office, it can feel less like a choice and more like an obligation.
The power imbalance makes it tricky to say no, even when a request crosses into personal or uncomfortable territory. Many people in their early twenties want to appear dependable and respectful, but agreeing to things that feel unsafe or invasive can lead to guilt, resentment, or even danger.
The challenge lies in balancing professionalism with self-protection—something that becomes clearer with experience but is especially daunting in the moment. One young woman recently shared her story online about being put in exactly this position.
At 21, she agreed to help her boss by dog-sitting for nearly two weeks while her boss and her husband were on vacation. At first, the arrangement seemed straightforward—she would stay at their home, care for the dog, and keep things running smoothly.
But on her very first night, the situation shifted into uncomfortable territory when she received a surprising request that made her question just how much she owed her boss outside of work.
The employee explained that her boss texted to ask if an old friend of her husband’s could “crash in the basement.” She was reassured that she would “barely see him” and that he’d stayed there before. Still, the setup didn’t sit right.
The OP asks:
RedditA 21-year-old woman agreed to dog-sit for her boss and her husband for two weeks while they were on vacation.
Commenters overwhelmingly backed the employee, stressing that her safety and comfort should come first. Many noted that it was inappropriate for a boss to put her in such a position, especially given the power imbalance in their relationship.
Some even found the request suspicious, pointing out that if the man was trustworthy enough to stay in the home, he could have been trusted to watch the dog instead. In the end, most agreed she had every right to say no and that protecting her boundaries was far more important than keeping her boss happy.
On the first night, her boss texted to ask if a man, an old friend of her husband, could “crash in the basement.”
The arrangement felt unsafe and uncomfortable: the basement had no bathroom or bedroom, and the only access was near her own room, which had no locks.
She politely explained that she didn’t feel comfortable with a man she didn’t know staying overnight.
Her boss responded that it was fine and the man would find other accommodations, but her short replies left the sitter feeling guilty and worried that she had upset her.
"She was totally in the wrong to even ask."
Reddit
OP should leave work at work for the foreseeable future.
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Some workplaces wouldn't even allow it.
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"It was such a weird ask."
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This Redditor would do:
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Thinking about potential issues...
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What a ridiculous request.
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Dog sitting is a big deal.
Reddit
Psychological Analysis
This scenario highlights a common struggle for young employees: the difficulty of asserting personal boundaries in a power-imbalance situation. The request from the boss not only crossed a professional line but also put the employee in a position where she felt obligated to comply, despite her discomfort. It’s crucial for individuals to learn that prioritizing personal safety and comfort is not just acceptable but necessary, even when navigating workplace dynamics.
Analysis generated by AI
