Coworker Tried To Guilt Woman Into Canceling Her Vacation For His Guys’ Trip

In many offices, vacation days are treated as a limited and valuable resource. Because of this, employees are usually required to submit their time-off requests well in advance - often months before their planned trips.

Once those requests are reviewed and approved, the dates are considered final, and most workplaces expect people to stick to the schedule unless there’s a serious reason to change it.

Problems can arise, however, when another coworker decides they want the same time off and tries to negotiate a switch. This can lead to tension, especially if one person has already committed money and plans to their vacation.

In this situation, OP, a 22-year-old employee, had carefully planned her September trip to visit her family. She submitted her vacation request back in July, received approval, and booked her flights.

Everything was set until a coworker found out about her scheduled time off and asked her to switch. His reason was not an emergency or family matter, but a last-minute fishing trip with friends.

OP politely declined, explaining that she had already paid for flights and made arrangements with her family. Her coworker became frustrated, arguing that she could see her family anytime, while his trip was a rare opportunity.

He even tried to make her feel guilty by saying she was ruining his chance to create memories with his friends. Despite the pressure, OP stood firm. She reminded him that she booked her time first and that it was unfair to expect her to cancel her plans. The coworker stormed out, upset with her decision.

This type of conflict highlights how workplace dynamics can quickly become strained when personal desires clash with established schedules. While it can be uncomfortable to say no, OP’s stance was reasonable.

She followed the rules, secured her vacation early, and made financial commitments. Expecting her to give that up for someone else’s spontaneous plans was unfair.

Original Poster

Reddit

Original Poster

Reddit

OP should report this to her manager and let them handle the situation.

Reddit

OP should ignore him and not let him guilt-trip her.

Reddit

He sounds like he is trying to manipulate OP.

Reddit

He’s being immature and demanding.

Reddit

This man is ridiculous.

Reddit

He is so rude.

Reddit

He is trying to bully OP.

Reddit

He's being extremely entitled.

Reddit

OP is not obligated to accept his offer.

Reddit

Expert Opinion

This situation showcases a classic case of entitlement and manipulation. The coworker's attempt to guilt OP into giving up her vacation speaks to a deeper psychological issue of needing to prioritize one's own desires over established commitments. It's important for individuals to recognize and respect boundaries, especially in a professional setting, as this fosters healthier relationships and a more supportive workplace environment.

Dr Emily Carter

Psychologist

OP was right to keep her vacation plans. She followed the office rules, requested her time off months in advance, and made financial commitments for her trip.

Her coworker, on the other hand, wanted to change everything at the last minute for a personal outing that was not urgent or unavoidable. While friendships and workplace harmony matter, fairness in scheduling does too.

Expecting someone to cancel flights and rearrange family plans for a fishing trip is unreasonable. In this case, OP’s decision was not selfish - it was simply respecting the system in place and protecting the effort and money already invested.

The coworker’s frustration does not change the fact that OP was not in the wrong.