Coworker borrows man’s raffle ticket and wins a trip for them both — then quietly replaces him with his girlfriend

A casual handshake deal over an unwanted raffle ticket is easy enough to make until the luck actually strikes and the prize is too good to share. That was the exact dilemma a 28-year-old employee (u/Normal-Office-1486) found himself in after letting a coworker drop his unused ticket into their company's annual giveaway under a clear pact. If they landed the grand prize, an all-expenses-paid weekend getaway for two, they would head out together. But the moment the author's name was drawn, that agreement went out the window, as his colleague swiftly pivoted to claim the second ticket for his wife. The man later turned to Reddit on October 19, 2026, to vent, amassing 142 upvotes.

An unusual ticket and a pact

At an office where company policy limited every staff member to a single raffle entry and capped wins at one prize per person, the employee had initially decided out of the festivities entirely. Seeing that he had zero intention of dropping his stub into the drum, a colleague, who had already snagged a smaller reward earlier in the night, stepped in to ask if he could enter with it instead. The man hesitated, wondering how they would handle a potential payout, but his colleague was quick to outline the terms. He suggested that the smaller items would go straight to him. But if they were to win the grand prize, both of them would travel together. Thinking it seemed reasonable, the man agreed.

The luck turns, and rules blur

Against all odds, the drawing concluded with the man's name being read aloud for the coveted weekend getaway for two. In the immediate rush of the announcement, the colleague began "celebrating and telling everyone we’d won," seemingly validating the shared nature of the victory in front of their peers. However, that unified front dissolved just days later when the coworker abruptly revealed that he intended to bring his girlfriend on the trip rather than honoring the pair's initial agreement. When challenged on the sudden change of plans, the coworker brushed it off, arguing that he had assumed he "wouldn't actually want to go," given his total lack of interest.

The workplace lines are drawn

Refusing to be sidelined from an award legitimately registered under his identity, the man stood firm and made it clear he would not surrender his reservation. The dispute quickly turned sour, leaving the coworker furious and accusing the man of deliberately sabotaging an opportunity that "could've been a nice weekend for him and his girlfriend." The tension soon spilled over into the wider office, polarizing the team into two distinct camps. Some argued that because the coworker took the initiative to enter the ticket in the first place, he deserved full custody of the prize, while others maintained that a deal is a deal.

What triggers workplace conflicts

This incident highlights the most common triggers of workplace conflicts. According to a Peace Institute study, 73% of conflicts are triggered because of a lack of trust between employees, which is the case here as well. Meanwhile, another major reason is personality clashes, with 72% of issues arising because of them. Other reasons include lack of role clarity (70%) and destructive communication patterns (55%).

Wanted to guilt trip into a free trip

People were quick to point out how the coworker tried to guilt trip him. u/Silver6Rules commented, "He thought he could guilt you into giving him and his gf a free trip, and that wasn't the deal. Either he sticks to the plan, or there is no trip for him. Too freaking bad. NTA." Meanwhile, u/1happynewyorker suggested, "You allowed him to submit the ticket with the agreement 'if we won the trip, we'd go together.' So where are you going? If he wants to take his girlfriend, he should pay the price of value of the ticket."

More on Scoop Upworthy

Paris man bought a $117 raffle ticket — and won a million-dollar Pablo Picasso painting. His first question had everyone laughing

Struggling carpenter found $20, bought a lottery ticket and won. Now, he’s finally ready to retire

Woman uses 'sign from universe' on license plates to buy 2 lottery tickets. Wins $50,000