Struggling with a Last-Minute Work Schedule Change: A Dilemma of Prioritizing Career or Coworker?

Some people don’t recognize a favor until it turns into a scheduling trap. In this post, a graphic designer agrees to swap work days for her coworker, Sarah, because Sarah’s sister’s labor timing suddenly got locked in by a doctor.

Everything was fine, until Thursday rolled around and OP’s dream design competition changed its rules. The competition moved its urgent deadline to Friday at 5 PM, which lands right on top of OP’s client pitch, the one her small agency has been preparing for all week.

Now OP is stuck between honoring the swap she already made and making the career move she’s been chasing.

Original Post

So, I'm (30F) a graphic designer at a small agency, and we had this huge client pitch scheduled for Friday. Last Monday, my coworker and office buddy, let's call her Sarah, asked if we could switch work days this week.

Sarah's sister was having a baby, and the doctor booked the delivery on my usual work-from-home day. I, being a team player, agreed to swap Thursday for Friday so Sarah could be with her sister.

Fast forward to Thursday, a design competition I've been eyeing for months suddenly announces an urgent deadline extension to Friday at 5 PM, the same time as our client pitch. Winning this competition would be a massive break for my career.

I panicked and asked Sarah if she could cover for me on Friday, but she had made plans to support her sister through labor. Feeling conflicted, I thought of calling our manager to explain my situation and ask for permission to prioritize the competition.

Should I go behind Sarah's back and adjust our work schedules, potentially jeopardizing our client pitch, or should I sacrifice my career opportunity to honor our original agreement? WIBTA in this situation?

I honestly don't know what to do, seeking some advice.

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It gets tricky in the same way as the post about whether someone should help their coworker during an emergency.

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Thursday morning hits, and OP realizes the design competition’s new Friday 5 PM deadline is the same exact time as the client pitch.

OP asks Sarah to cover on Friday, but Sarah’s not available because she promised to be with her sister through labor.

OP starts thinking about going to the manager to explain the conflict and see if the schedule can be adjusted without breaking trust.

The real dilemma lands on Friday, where OP would have to choose between the competition win and the original Thursday-for-Friday agreement.

What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.

OP might end up burning her relationship with Sarah just to make it to 5 PM.

For another deadline-versus-family blowup, read what this employee did after confronting a coworker about constant schedule changes.