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When A Colleague is Strapped… and You're the ATM
Q: One of your co-workers borrows five dollars here, 10 dollars there—and never pays you back. What can you say the next time?…if she's higher up on the totem pole?
- Make her aware of her delinquency but defuse the awkwardness for both of you with humor—for example, "You know, if I were a barmaid, I'd have to cut you off—you're running up quite a tab!"
— Faith Salie, host of the public radio show Fair Game from PRI with Faith Salie - The co-worker is not being fair or responsible. Get repaid, and then don't loan another cent. Never hesitate to ask for the money back.
— Jack Marshall, president of ProEthics
…if she's lower down—and you know money's tight?
- Her financial situation shouldn't influence your decision making. Write off the money that you've loaned in the past. Going forward, just say, "I'm on a budget; sorry I can't help."
— Michele Warholic Wetherald, executive director of the American Association of University Women. - I was always told, "If you loan money to a friend, you'll collect it from an enemy." I give money only if I can afford never to see it again without resentment. Next time, just apologize to your coworker for not being able to make the loan.
— Rudy Rasmus, pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Houston
