AITA for refusing to help a coworker in need?

Workplaces can be tough when politics get in the way of fairness. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work or how qualified you are, decisions are made based on favoritism instead of merit. That’s exactly the situation I found myself in recently. After being assured a new position was mine, I lost it to someone else—not because of my abilities, but because the decision-maker “knew her better.” Now, that person is struggling, and I’ve been left with a difficult choice: should I step in to help or stand my ground?

The Promotion That Was Mine

The Hiring Committee Twist

Pulling Back to My Job Description

Why I Said No

Drawing My Line in the Sand

The Bigger Picture

Thanks For The Support

Let’s dive into what the Reddit jury has to say.

In the end, I can’t help but feel torn. On one hand, I don’t want to see Mary fail—she’s a nice person and none of this was her fault. But on the other hand, I’ve been burned once already, and it feels unfair to shoulder extra responsibilities for less pay while the higher-ups turn a blind eye. Maybe that makes me selfish, or maybe it just means I finally drew a boundary. Either way, I can’t stop wondering… AITA for refusing to help a coworker in need?