I started a new job about three months ago. One of my coworkers was everyone’s favorite. Super helpful, always smiling, remembered everyone’s birthday, even brought snacks for the office.
I honestly thought they were one of the nicest people I’d ever met.
Last week we were assigned to work on the same project. While organizing some shared files, I noticed a folder with multiple versions of documents they had claimed to create alone. The edit history showed several coworkers—including people they constantly criticized—had actually done most of the work.
I didn’t think much of it until our manager praised them during a meeting for “always carrying the team.”
Without thinking, I said, “Didn’t everyone contribute to that project?”
The room went completely silent.
The manager opened the file history on the projector. It was obvious I was right.
Now everyone is looking at my coworker differently. They haven’t spoken to me since, and some people say I embarrassed them publicly. Others say the truth was eventually going to come out.
I never meant to expose anyone. I was just asking a question.
Was I wrong?
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