AITA…not letting company employee leave there kids with me without asking?

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In the bustling chaos of a warehouse, where forklifts hum and crates stack high, a contractor’s routine day takes a sharp turn when he spots two young kids left alone in a back room. Their father, a company employee, slips out without a word, assuming the contractor will play nanny. With a quick phone call and a firm stance, the contractor draws a line, sparking a clash that’s as much about safety as it is about respect.

This tale of workplace boundaries and parental responsibility hooks readers with its raw tension and relatable stakes. The contractor’s swift action to protect the kids—and himself—ignites a debate about unspoken expectations and the risks of cutting corners. As dirty looks fly and HR steps in, the story invites us to dive into a drama where professionalism and principle collide in a gritty warehouse setting.

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‘AITA…not letting company employee leave there kids with me without asking?’

Ok...so I'm a contractor that works for a large company. This company has an employee whose kids are on Spring Break (Ages 7 and 10). He brings them into the warehouse and leaves them in a back room. As I'm sitting at my desk, I look thru the windows and see him getting in his car and leaving without his kids.

Does not say anything to me but expects me to be responsible and watch them. I immediately call him and tell him to take them with you or I call DCFS. He turns around, comes back and gets them...but gives me a dirty look. So...AITA?

A contractor’s stand against babysitting an employee’s kids in a warehouse underscores a clash of workplace roles and safety. The employee’s assumption that the contractor would watch his 7- and 10-year-olds, left unsupervised in a hazardous environment, was reckless, while the contractor’s threat to call DCFS was a bold boundary-setter.

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Warehouses are no playgrounds. A 2023 OSHA report notes that 15% of workplace injuries occur in storage facilities, with risks like falling objects and machinery posing dangers to untrained visitors, especially children. The employee’s negligence could’ve exposed the company to massive liability.

Workplace expert Alison Green, in a 2022 Ask a Manager article, advises, “Clear communication and explicit agreements are essential for non-job-related tasks at work.” The employee’s failure to ask permission violated workplace norms, while the contractor’s response, though blunt, prioritized safety.

The contractor should report the incident to HR formally, citing safety concerns, and suggest company policies on visitors. Open dialogue with management can prevent future incidents, ensuring a professional environment where boundaries are respected.

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Check out how the community responded:

The Reddit posse rolled in like a forklift brigade, unloading a heap of support and snark for the contractor. From slamming the employee’s negligence to fretting over warehouse dangers, their takes are a lively mix of fist bumps and side-eyes. Here’s the raw scoop:

Individual_Mud_2530 − NTA... I've never seen any warehouse that is kid safe! Tell the coworker fack all the way off with that noise!. Is the owner/ manager aware of this? If so the kiddos can camp in their office.

Stranger0nReddit − NTA. You're not the company nanny, what he did was irresponsible and neglectful, and if you were to have left the kids there, that liability could cause major problems.

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nim_opet − NTA. Leaving kids unsupervised at a warehouse…did you check if he recently bought life insurance for them?

togocann49 − Nta-this guy sounds like a p**ck. I’m gonna guess that babysitting isn’t in your job description-well done

Aware-Ad2888 − Ok update. We had our meeting and this i**ot tried denying it until I presented a video. He now has an appointment with HR....so yeap...just made a new enemy.

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Prestigious_Blood_38 − NTS they shouldn’t even be on the worksite with the liability risk. Has he signed a liability waiver??????

KrofftSurvivor − NTA, And you need to have a conversation about this with a boss who is supervisory over the both of you, and point out to this person that you are concerned about the company's liability if this dude is taking his kids to job sites or leaving them alone on company property.

Efficient_Wheel_6333 − NTA for several reasons. 1: You are a contractor and your contract presumably lays out your contracted duties. Being a babysitter to the employees' kids isn't likely in that contract as one of your duties..

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2: He didn't ask, but assumed you'd be willing to watch them. 3: What if you'd not spotted him leaving without his kids and one or both of them got hurt? He, you, and anyone else in that building might get in trouble (not to mention the company in general).

Wolf-Pack85 − Even if he did ask, I’d still say no. It’s a warehouse! Don’t know what’s in there, but I bet it’s not safe for kids to just be around.. NTA.

IamIrene − NTA. He's literally being neglectful.

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These Redditors cheer the contractor’s quick thinking but wonder if HR will douse the drama or fan the flames. Do their hot takes nail the issue, or are they just stacking crates of speculation? One thing’s clear: this warehouse showdown has everyone buzzing about responsibility and respect.

This story stacks up a tense tale of workplace boundaries, where a contractor’s refusal to babysit sparks a showdown over safety and assumptions. The employee’s careless move and the contractor’s firm stance highlight the need for clear roles and respect in any work environment. As HR steps in, the fallout lingers, reminding us to know our limits. What would you do if someone dumped an unexpected responsibility on you at work? Share your thoughts below!

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