I Skipped My Coworker\'s Retirement Party and He Found Out
An employee skipped a retirement party she said she was too sick to attend, then was seen at a restaurant that same evening.
Frank is retiring after 22 years at our company. I have worked with him for three. We are friendly but not close. The party was on a Friday evening 40 minutes away. I had dinner plans with my sister who I see once a month. I sent Frank a card and gift card and told the office I was not feeling well. I did not expect anyone to see me at the restaurant. Now Frank knows and half the office knows. I should not have lied. But the guilt trip I am getting over skipping an optional party feels disproportionate.
I have worked at that company for 22 years. Greta is one of 14 people on my team. We have had lunch together dozens of times. I have covered for her on projects. I introduced her to the VP who promoted her. She sent a $25 gift card and told people she was sick. Then she went to dinner. Someone saw her. I am not angry she did not come. I am hurt she lied to my face after everything. A simple I have other plans would have been fine. That is all it would have taken.
⚖️ The Verdict Is In
😤 Side A is right, but handled it badly
123 people weighed in on this dispute.
Official NACOL Ruling
The Court finds that with a decisive 0% verdict split among all jurors, this case has achieved the rare judicial status of unanimous disagreement, meaning the single juror managed to vote for both sides simultaneously or possibly fell asleep during deliberation. Greta's truthfulness was objectively worse than her absence, Frank's hurt feelings were objectively valid despite his incomplete final statement, and the real loser here is whoever had to sit through Frank's 22-year retrospective slideshow. Case closed.
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