Some people can take advantage of everyone’s generosity without even realizing it.

This employee attended an office potluck party where most coworkers brought food to celebrate a colleague who was going away. While everyone was putting the leftovers away, one coworker began filling containers with food that other people had brought. When OP questioned him about it, he ignored her and continued taking food home.

This story is one of those workplace situations where one person’s sense of entitlement can quickly become noticeable to everyone else. Read the full story below.

AITA for calling out coworker during a potluck

Yesterday, we had a company potluck for our department (roughly 15) people, as a going away celebration for a coworker.

Let’s call him Tom. Most people brought something, including Tom.

Some coworkers didn’t, which isn’t normally a big deal. Except for our one coworker, we’ll call Bob.

Bob didn’t bring anything. In fact, I don’t think I have ever seen Bob bring anything to a potluck, and we have several a year.

This employee confronted Bob when she saw him putting some food in a container.

During our potlucks, we leave the food out for a bit. Then, put it in the refrigerator for people to snack on or eat when they get a chance during their shift.

While we were all putting food away, Bob pulled out a few Tupperware containers and started filling them with food other people brought.

I confronted Bob about it, and he said that he didn’t want to cook later after his shift, so he was bringing some food home.

I told him that maybe those people who cooked that food would like to bring it home instead.

She told some of her coworkers about it, and they got upset.

Bob just shrugged and continued packing containers.

He also grabbed a couple packs of cookies left out and threw them in his bag.

I brought this up to a couple coworkers who did bring a lot of food, and they seemed reasonably upset.

So, AITA for calling Bob out and telling others what he did?

What Bob did was pretty inconsiderate, especially since he didn’t contribute anything to the potluck. Taking a reasonable portion of leftovers is one thing. But filling multiple containers with food other people prepared without asking seems rude. I think OP did the right thing to call him out.

Let’s see how other people reacted to this story.

This user shares their thoughts.

This one says it’s a common scenario.

Here’s a similar experience.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a widow who returned to a store to thank employees for their kindness to her late husband.

Here’s an idea.

And lastly, short but true.

A potluck doesn’t mean unlimited food to take home.