I don't like her but will I help her?

@winterose (39887)
Canada
January 27, 2008 6:56pm CST
there is an employee at work that you do not like, she never talks to you but she talks to other people. You find out that she has been falsely accused of making a mistake at work that could cost her her job. You know for a fact she didn't make the mistake because she was not even in your work area at the time. She has told the boss that as well but he doesn't believe her. He feels she just doesn't want to admit that she was responsible for making the mistake because it is actually her work that has been affected by this error. You have the power to tell the boss the truth and you know he will believe you. Do you tell the boss the truth or remain silent. The woman will never ask you for help she doesn't talk to you, but you know from other people she is very worried about losing her job, will you tell the truth or remain silent?
13 people like this
46 responses
@pastorkayte (2255)
• United States
4 Feb 08
You take the high road and you tell your boss, she may not be your friend but she is your co worker and the fact that you kept quiet could very well be you, and I am sure you would want someone, anyone to fess up and tell the truth about you.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
4 Feb 08
please read the question carefully it asks what you (pastorkayte) would do not what I would do.
2 people like this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I would for sure tell the boss that she had nothing to do with the mistake. I am not that type of person to not speak up even for someone who don't like me if I know they are being accused of something they didn't do. Hey, maybe she would finally see also that I am not a bad person. I would hope that if I was accused of something wrong that I didn't do that other's would stand up for me when they knew the truth too.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
good points
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I wopuld tell the boss the truth. I have been in this situation and no one ever stood up for me. People need to respect others better and some of us would appreciate for someone to help us out, especially when we ar enot at fault.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
that is sad that no one stood up for you.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I know it. It has been that way all of my life. I would never do someone else like that. I don't know why people do it to me. that is why I stay home and work now.
• United States
28 Jan 08
I would tell the boss that she is innocent because that's the moral thing to do and because you would probably want them to do the same for you if you were in their shoes. Who knows, it could start a friendship and maybe she would notice you because maybe she didn't before.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
remember this question is about you what you would do in this situation it has nothing to do with me, it is a question made up for the purposes of discussion
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Jan 08
I know. I put myself in that situation and I put down what I would do.
1 person likes this
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
28 Jan 08
For me, I would have to tell the boss the truth. I would feel too guilty if I knew the truth and let someone lose their job over it. It's the only right thing to do. I would hope if the shoe was on the other foot, that someone would do the same for me. Do you know who made the mistake? If so, why not let the boss know? That's my two cents on it, hope that helps.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
I just made this up for sake of a conversation
• United States
28 Jan 08
well, either way, that's how I'd handle the situation.:)
@piatos03 (393)
• Philippines
28 Jan 08
I would tell the boss the truth. This is her whole life we're talking about. She hasn't really done anything bad to you aside from the not talking part. Plus, you shouldn't sink down to her level. If she doesn't talk to you, so what? You have other friends right? She's not that special. Just tell your boss. You'll feel a whole lot better if you do. Think about it this way. What if you don't? Then a few years from now, you start thinking about that day and what happened to that co-worker of yours. You'd probably end up feeling guilty. It's better to help her now and avoid the guilt.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
this is not about me, this is just a question I made up for discussion,
@piatos03 (393)
• Philippines
28 Jan 08
Okay. Anyways, that's how I would handle the situation.
@MGjhaud (23120)
• Philippines
4 Feb 08
If you know that she didn’t do it then go and help her as co-employee even if you don’t like becaue she doesn’t talk to you but you don’t know the reason why she doesn’t talk to you right. Maybe after you help her, she’ll make friends, she’ll be the one to approach and have some nice talk. Mind the part that you’re helping others because you know they did not do anything wrong.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
4 Feb 08
please read the question carefully it asks what you mgjhaud would do, not what I would do
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
28 Jan 08
I would tell the truth. Even if she was an enemy and I KNOW what the truth is, I will not hesitate to tell. What is between us is personal and that has nothing to do with the office. Some people might take this opportunity to get back at the other person. I personally won't say that's wrong either. But I know that I will come forward to speak the truth and help a colleague.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
great points
@braided (698)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
Thats a no brainer .... you do the right thing ... for the sake of the right thing ... how would you want to be treated? ... what goes around comes around ...is my moto ... therefore when you do the right thing you feel better as a person .... Treat others as you would want them to treat you ... no, matter how they treat you .... when you do the right thing no matter who the person is, it helps your self esteem and only good can come from you feeling good about yourself ...dont ya think? ... Vengence and strife and retaliation only brings on more stress .... and that's the place, in your heart and mind, where you would be acting out from if you didnt help this person ...she never spoke to you ...so, you wont speak up for her ! If you help her - Maybe this act of kindness would actually be the act that will allow you both to be able to speak to each other and then maybe you will see why she never spoke to you in the first place .... maybe she felt you didnt like her so she didnt want to invade your space ? or she felt uncomfortable because she could feel you didnt like her .... or who knows what the reason is .... but asuming something of another with out knowing the whole story ... is the beginning of all misunderstandings ....
1 person likes this
@braided (698)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
good question ... and i apologize for using You ...it was only meant in a general sense ... peace
1 person likes this
@aman1986 (39)
• India
28 Jan 08
yep i would surely tell the boss..i would be more than happy in helping the gal in securing her job..liking and not linking is diffrent but that doesnt mean that u do not help someone who is in need..help her save her job..
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
good points
@laurika (4532)
• United States
14 Feb 08
Yeah i think i will break the silence and tell the boss, what I know. I would do what is fair and it sounds from your discussion like the person never hurt you or done anything wrong to you, why not to help her? MAybe that would even help you both to come closer and you will become a good friends. And not only that, you will feel great about it, after you done it and have that feeling you help someone.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Feb 08
this is not about me it is about you, the story starts, there is a person at work that You, do not like,
1 person likes this
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
28 Jan 08
I would definitely tell the boss. Even if I didn't talk to a person and they didn't talk to me I would still help them. I have helped people that I really couldn't stand before. It all boils down to being the bigger person. Not to mention there could be many reasons unknown to you as to why she doesn't talk to you. Maybe she is intimidated, or maybe she knows that you don't like her so she avoids you? Anyway, I would help so she doesn't lose her job.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
this is a made up question never happened to me, it is a question for discussion only. Thanks for your imput
• United States
28 Jan 08
Tell the boss, you may not talk to her or nothing but this is a job for someone that needs it. thats there life, there bills, there fun time, all in all there money. Doesnt matter how much we detest someone (even if they were rude to me I would still tell the boss whats really going on) You would want her to do the same to you wouldnt you. Do unto others.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
this is just a hypothetical question it has never happened to me.
@beegeeda (10)
• New Zealand
14 Feb 08
Hi winterose The old saying springs to mind immediately Do unto others what you would like done to yourself We don't have to like folk, to be honest. Speak up, that's my advice.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
14 Feb 08
please read the article carefully, it is asking what you would do not what I would do, this is not about me this is a situation where I am asking what a reader would do if they find themselves in that situation
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
I would not hesitate. I would tell the boss the truth. I do not care if she does not talk to me, we might not have anything in common. And maybe I might scare her a bit. But just because she does not talk to me and just because I do not like her, is not reason for me to keep silent and let her lose her job. Doing that would just show what lack of character I would have. So, I would help her and tell the boss that she did not do what they are accusing her of.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
very good points character is important
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
14 Feb 08
All I'd have to do is ask myself what would I want if the situation were reversed. Absolutely I'd tell the truth simply because it's the right thing to do. This is something that's much more important than whatever personal difficulties you may have with this woman, this is her job you're talking about! Annie
1 person likes this
@slothgurl (569)
• Enumclaw, Washington
28 Jan 08
I was in this situation, I was the one who made the mistake. It was a very big, big, mistake. A co-worker was being blamed for it. She was crying, and scared she would be fired, and didn't know why. I spoke up right away and said everything is my fault, I did it not her! At first my boss was shocked, she didn't think I could make such a bad mistake, then she was mad. I suggested we take a 10 minute break then talk about it. After that we fixed the problem, since I fessed up so quickly there wasn't too much damage. My boss appreciated my honesty, so I didn't get in trouble, then she appoligized to my co-worker, and we all got on great after that.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
I am so glad that it worked out for everyone.
@jezzmay (1845)
• United States
30 Jan 08
I would think you would want to do the right thing.I think you should tell the boss.How would you feel if you were in that problem.You would want some one to speak up for you.I know I would.
1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
30 Jan 08
Even if I didn't like this girl, I would still tell the boss the truth. I wouldn't be able to live with myself is I knew the truth and didn't do anything about it, and she got fired. I am not that kind of person and I would do what I could to help her even if she didn't ask me for help. Not everyone you meet in life is going to like you or you like them, that's just part of life. But to not help the person, that is cruel and I can't be a cruel person and be happy with myself.
1 person likes this
@Wario_1 (965)
• Sweden
28 Jan 08
I would tell the truth and hopefully she would be happy that she didnt lose her job, after that id hope she'd at least say thanx or something like that. If she didnt show any signs of being thankfull and something similar would happen, id choose not to help her since i can make a huge difference and she doesnt care about it.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Jan 08
good points too