I (24f) work in a small office where we all wear several hats. If anyone needs to leave for a legit emergency then we just let the team know and someone helps out if needed.
My coworker Jess (mid20’s I think) has a pattern of leaving early without saying shit to anyone. She’ll quietly grab her stuff and leave an hour or two early, she never checks with the manager or even says anything in the group chat.
On Wednesday she left at about 3 ( we were scheduled until 5) she didn’t say anything to me or anyone else. Around 4 a client called and asked to speak with her about something important. I told the client she was no longer in the office but I could take a message or pass the issue along to someone else. The client said they’d follow up by email.
The manager then came over and asked if Jess had already left when the client called. I said yes, she had. That was it. I didn’t add anything extra or make a big deal of it.
The next morning Jess pulled me aside and told me she felt like I threw her under the bus. She said I should have told our manager that she had stepped out quickly or made up something less direct. She also said I should have told the client she was unavailable rather than saying she left for the day. I told her I wasn’t trying to get her in trouble, but I wasn’t going to lie about where she was, especially when she didn’t tell anyone she was leaving or ask for coverage.
She’s been pissy with me ever since then and some of my other coworkers are acting like I broke an unspoken rule. I honestly don’t really think I did anything wrong but I’m kinda second guessing.
Edit:sorry if this is too rambly