February 13, 2026 at 12:55 am

Grocery Store Worker Begrudgingly Picks Up Slack Of Lazy Coworker, And She Cries When The Boss Makes Her Stay Late To Fulfill Her Duties

by Ashley Ashbee

A trash bin with crumpled paper inside

Pexels/Reddit

When someone doesn’t pull their weight at work, it’s a difficult situation and no guidebook on how to address it gracefully.

See why this worker is concerned about how he handled a young coworker.

AITA for making a girl cry at my work?

I work at a grocery store and I used to work as a courtesy clerk, which basically involved janitorial duties.

I am a cashier now, but I still face the store before closing when it is not busy. I finished facing and cleaned my register early.

He had more work to do, but it wasn’t his.

Then I noticed this girl, who has been working at the store for a few months as a courtesy clerk, was falling behind on her duties because she was yapping with the self-checkout guy all shift long.

I told her 3 times that I would do the manager’s office trash to help out, keywords: manager’s office. So I took out the manager’s trash and finished that an hour before close.

I started doing other tasks like cleaning the back bathrooms of the store, since no one does that, cleaning the break room, and taking out the specific trash cans there too.

Then he gets the new hire in trouble.

As I finished my duties right before closing, the closing manager asked if I had taken out all the trash, since she said I would take out the store’s trash. I said, “No, just the manager’s office trash.”

I told her that no one does their job here anymore and all I had to do because I did half her closing tasks. The manager then made her stay after to finish the remaining trash and she cried the entire time because she had to stay after hours.

AITA for making her cry?

Here is what folks are saying.

Yep. She sounds like a spoiled only child.

Screenshot 2026 01 22 at 2.21.29 PM Grocery Store Worker Begrudgingly Picks Up Slack Of Lazy Coworker, And She Cries When The Boss Makes Her Stay Late To Fulfill Her Duties

Exactly. Her tears are just manipulation.

Screenshot 2026 01 22 at 2.21.41 PM Grocery Store Worker Begrudgingly Picks Up Slack Of Lazy Coworker, And She Cries When The Boss Makes Her Stay Late To Fulfill Her Duties

Yep. I’m sure her coworkers could cry when they have to pick up her slack.

Screenshot 2026 01 22 at 2.21.52 PM Grocery Store Worker Begrudgingly Picks Up Slack Of Lazy Coworker, And She Cries When The Boss Makes Her Stay Late To Fulfill Her Duties

Yes. It wasn’t a complicated instruction.

Screenshot 2026 01 22 at 2.22.18 PM Grocery Store Worker Begrudgingly Picks Up Slack Of Lazy Coworker, And She Cries When The Boss Makes Her Stay Late To Fulfill Her Duties

It’s infuriating, but fighting it feels futile.

Screenshot 2026 01 22 at 2.22.34 PM Grocery Store Worker Begrudgingly Picks Up Slack Of Lazy Coworker, And She Cries When The Boss Makes Her Stay Late To Fulfill Her Duties

Something tells me she still slacks off and will get fired soon.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.

Ashley Ashbee | Contributing Writer, Workplace & Culture

Ashley Ashbee is a contributing writer for TwistedSifter specializing in workplace dynamics, employee advocacy, and professional culture. Drawing on her real-world experience as a software consultant, she brings a unique, insider perspective to navigating office conflicts, toxic management, and trending professional dilemmas.

Holding a degree in Professional Writing from York University, Ashley combines her formal editorial training with her corporate background to deliver highly engaging, empathetic narratives. She excels at breaking down complex workplace dramas and translating them into stories that truly empower and validate modern workers.

Based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Ashley balances her time between the tech and publishing worlds with her love for the outdoors. When she isn’t consulting or writing, she can usually be found exploring local walking trails or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.