The Cost of Being Too Nice

I stopped helping a coworker and everything changed. We started our jobs on the

same day. At first, I covered for him. Late arrivals.

Long breaks. I didn't mind. I wanted to be nice. But it became

a habit. He'd disappear for 30 minutes and tell customers I was busy.

I was doing my work and his. One day, my manager pulled

me aside. She asked why I was clocked in early every day.

I told her the truth. I was covering someone else's shifts. She checked the

cameras. Turns out, he was leaving the building while still clocked in.