In a workplace dilemma, opinions differ on whether a manager was justified in handling an employee who avoided work duties due to self-diagnosed anxiety.
OP manages a small company making soaps and lotions, with nine employees sharing cleaning duties. A new hire consistently avoided tasks she disliked, citing anxiety. OP initially accommodated her but noticed a pattern of avoidance. One Friday, when asked to handle trash duty, she claimed a panic attack and refused help from coworkers. OP, believing self-diagnosed anxiety isn’t a disability, told her to do the job or leave. The employee quit, threatened legal action, and criticized OP on social media. Returning to work, OP found divided opinions among employees. Some urged an apology to avoid business loss. Uncertain about their actions, OP seeks perspective on who might be at fault.
Scroll down below to read the story in OP’s own words.
1. OP asks if it was wrong of him to ask a dramatic employee to clock out if she can’t do what’s assigned to her?
2. OP co-owns a small company making soaps and lotions, operating from a small warehouse with a storefront and nine employees.
3. In our small warehouse, cleaning duties are shared among the team, which isn’t a concern except for occasional feedback on eco-friendly products.
4. OP implements a chore rotation to ensure everyone shares tasks fairly, a system that’s successfully operated throughout their three years in business.
5. OP’s recent hire avoids cleaning tasks, especially bathrooms and trash duty, often citing anxiety, stomach issues, and inability to focus.
6. Initially, OP covered her tasks due to sympathy, but after noticing her pattern, OP insisted she trade duties with coworkers, often finding substitutes for cleaning.
7. On her cleaning day, OP asked her to handle the trash and recycling. She claimed a panic attack prevented her and said no coworkers agreed to help when asked.
8. OP allowed her a moment to calm down but insisted the task be completed. When she refused, OP instructed her to clock out.
9. OP instructed her to clock out if she couldn’t perform her job. She claimed a need for accommodations due to anxiety, but OP disagreed, insisting she perform her duties or resign.
10. She quit, threatened legal action, and left. Returning Tuesday, some employees were distant, while others showed negative social media posts, urging OP to apologize and resolve the situation.
11. Some employees are upset with OP’s actions. Uncertain about the situation, OP wonders how a third party might perceive who was at fault.
Now that you have read the story, it’s time for you to see what Redditors had to say about this. Read till the end to see what are other people’s opinions on this. Don’t forget to share your own opinion at the end of this article.
13. Anxiety like this doesn’t excuse avoiding work responsibilities.
14. She should have communicated or traded tasks.
15. Self-diagnosed anxiety isn’t a free pass to skip work.
16. Work responsibilities shouldn’t be dodged.
17. Absolutely NTA. Everyone should pull their weight.
18. Not at all the a**hole. Job duties need to be completed.
What are your thoughts on this story? What would you do, or how would you react if you were in OP’s position? You know that your feedback means a lot to us; therefore, we want you to share your thoughts in the comment section below. For more such articles, keep visiting our website. Have a nice day!
