Woman Says She Just Started a New Job and Doesn't Want to Take Off Christmas Eve — Now Her Mom Is Furious

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The woman, 20, explained that she just started a job at Target three weeks ago and has already called out sick

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Two women arguing (stock image)

A woman told her family that she needs to work on Christmas Eve — and her mom is not on board.

The woman, 20, posted on the popular Reddit forum "Am I the A------" on Saturday, Dec. 14, to explain her dilemma. She began her story by sharing that she started a new job at Target a mere three weeks ago — and that she had to call out on her second day because she was "throwing up." She also shared that a Target team leader personally spoke to her about the call-out the following day.

The Redditor further explained that she is scheduled to work from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve — meaning she will have to miss an annual dinner at her grandparent's house. She says her mom "isn't happy" that she's missing an important family gathering, but she just doesn't think taking the day off is feasible given that she already called out so soon.

Related: Woman Wants to Charge Her Sister's Family to Stay in Her House During Christmas After a Past Visit Gone Wrong

The original poster (OP) also shared that she is worried that calling out on a holiday will affect her chances of long-term employment with the company as she was technically only hired as a seasonal worker.

"I'm trying to have them keep me permanently and if I call out again, especially on a holiday, that will affect my chances of them keeping me," she explained.

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Two women arguing (stock image)

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The OP shared that her mom is now guilt-tripping her about not taking the day off, apparently saying, "I don't understand why you can't just call out so you can have dinner with the family." 

"Would I be the a------ if I don't call out of work?" the Reddit user asked.

Related: Woman Secretly Cancels Christmas Gift Her Husband Ordered for Her, Buys What She 'Actually Wants' Instead

The majority of Redditors jumped to the woman's defense, declaring that she is not in any way the a------ for prioritizing her financial security.

"Is mom planning to support OP for the rest of their life, or would she like OP to get some work experience and take care of themselves?" one person asked.

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"NTA [not the a------]," said another. "If you call out, you won't get hired permanently. This is your chance to prove you are reliable. You can also compromise by stopping by to see your relatives on your way home. It isn't ideal, but this is life when you have a job in retail."

Another commenter suggested a compromise: "Let her know you're open to Christmas Eve breakfast but you're not calling out sick. You work retail, hired as holiday help. Of course you're working Christmas Eve!"

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