She was hired as maternity cover; years later, a coworker’s repeated underperformance forced a CEO intervention - but left her battling stress, anger and sleepless nights

Have you ever felt like you're doing two jobs while being paid for one? Or found yourself lying awake at night replaying workplace conversations that should have ended when the workday did?

That dilemma struck a chord on Reddit after a senior leader shared her struggle with a coworker she says repeatedly fails to meet expectations, leaving her to shoulder extra responsibilities while management appears reluctant to intervene.

Posting on the r/work subreddit, the employee explained that she originally joined her company as maternity leave cover before being offered a newly created role when the original employee returned. What began as occasional support soon evolved into what she described as a pattern of underperformance and workload shifting by the returning colleague.

A workplace conflict years in the making

According to the post, the two employees share responsibility for multiple projects. The Redditor claimed her coworker routinely misses deadlines, ignores agreed processes, and attempts to delegate tasks that are clearly part of her own role.

"What started as me picking up slack has escalated to her directly asking me to do tasks that are clearly part of her role," she wrote. The poster added that while some interactions have been frustrating, she does not necessarily believe the coworker is acting maliciously.

"I don't think she is malicious though, but maybe just awkward," she said.

Over time, she raised the issue repeatedly with her General Manager. Joint meetings were held, expectations were discussed, and new processes were introduced. Yet, according to the employee, little changed.

Her manager reportedly acknowledged that the behavior was not new and encouraged her to document its impact. However, the Redditor said she has seen little evidence of accountability or corrective action.

Concerns reach the CEO

The situation eventually surfaced during a performance review attended by both the company's CEO and General Manager.

The employee described the CEO as being surprised by the allegations, reportedly responding, "that isn't like x," while the General Manager confirmed that the concerns reflected current workplace issues.

During the meeting, the CEO questioned why the conflict had not been resolved directly between the two employees. The Redditor replied that previous attempts at communication had been unsuccessful and that she feared further damaging an already strained professional relationship.

She said the conflict had begun affecting her overall experience at work.

The real problem may not be the coworker

While the coworker's conduct formed the basis of the dispute, the Redditor said her biggest concern is now her own emotional response.

She described feeling angry, stressed, unable to sleep, and consumed by thoughts about work long after office hours had ended.

"My problem now isn't the coworker's behaviour—it's my reaction to it," she wrote. Despite remaining professional outwardly, she admitted feeling "exhausted and furious" internally.

The employee is actively searching for another job but says a slow hiring market and family responsibilities make an immediate departure impossible.

As the primary income earner in her household, she said simply quitting is not an option.