A Reddit user asked the online community if she was unreasonable for kicking out her co-worker and their child after they continued to abuse the free rent and utilities.
A Great Location
The Original Poster (OP) owns a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom flat located near the city center where she resides.
The property’s location is highly convenient as it takes only a 10-minute drive to get to her workplace, and she can also walk to the city center in 15 minutes.
An Emotional Break Up
While getting lunch at work, OP noticed that her coworker (F28) was visibly upset.
Concerned, OP inquired about what was troubling her colleague, who proceeded to share that she had recently gone through a difficult breakup and was unsure where she and her child (3F) would live, as her parents lived over two hours away.
An Offer to Help
Without hesitation, OP offered her coworker and her child a place to stay until she could get back on her feet and find a more permanent living arrangement.
So Grateful
The colleague was immensely grateful for the kind gesture.
Initially, OP did not require her coworker to pay rent, given that she owned the flat (which had been gifted to her by her parents for her 20th birthday) and was aware of the challenging economic climate.
A Fair Arrangement
Instead, she agreed that her coworker would contribute 60% towards food and utility costs, while OP would cover the remaining 40%.
Her coworker was pleased with the arrangement and found it fair.
7 Months Later…
OP allowed her coworker and her child to stay in her flat as they got back on their feet, but after 7 months, the situation had become somewhat challenging.
Her coworker had fallen behind on bills for the last three months and repeatedly expressed that she was struggling financially.
Financial Struggles
She had reduced her working hours as it was challenging to find affordable childcare, particularly given her ex-partner’s absence.
Instead, she opted to enroll her child in a nursery for only three days a week instead of five, as it was more cost-effective for her.
Taking Advantage
Despite being in a higher position at work with more hours, OP was hesitant to continue covering all of the bills as she felt her coworker may be taking advantage of her kindness.
Not Paying Her Bills
While OP is happy to help out and has spotted her coworker some money in the past, she feels her coworker has no motivation to pay her bills any time soon.
Built-in Child Care
The situation has become even more challenging as OP’s coworker now wants to socialize with her friends regularly and expects OP to watch her child (2-3 times a week).
Unpaid Babysitter
While OP loves the child and has no issue with her, she feels as though she is being taken advantage of and treated like an unpaid babysitter on weekends and some weeknights.
Pay Up or Get Out
Three weeks ago, OP decided to take a firm stance and informed her coworker that she must pay at least half of the three months’ worth of bills owed by Thursday, or else they would need to find alternative accommodation.
Consequences
However, when the deadline passed with no payment received, OP decided to pack up all of her coworker’s belongings and ask them to leave her property.
Spreading Rumors
Unfortunately, her coworker has since spread rumors among their colleagues that OP is making her and her child homeless due to a “petty argument,” causing a backlash from the entire office.
Lies
Despite no longer being concerned about the unpaid bills, OP is upset about her former coworker spreading lies about her.
She is questioning whether her decision to evict her coworker was unreasonable.
She Is Out of Line
Reddit users are in agreement that OP is not to blame in this situation.
They feel that the coworker was taking advantage of OP’s kindness, living rent-free and not paying for utilities, while also expecting OP to provide childcare for her child.
The users suggest that OP sets boundaries and does not let people take advantage of her in the future. Some advise OP to go to HR if the coworker continues to create a hostile work environment.
She Had Plenty of Warning
Users also point out that OP gave the coworker a warning before evicting her and that she has been living rent-free for seven months. They feel that the coworker is being unreasonable in spreading lies about OP and that she is responsible for her own financial stability.
Some suggest that the coworkers who are criticizing OP offer to house the evicted coworker and her child themselves. Finally, users note that OP has done a good thing by offering help and should not let this situation turn her heart cold.
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The post She Tells Her Freeloading House Guest and Child to Pay Up or Get Out! first appeared on Wealthy Living.
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Source: Reddit