Employee claims his boss borrowed money and is not returning. Netizens offer advice on how to get it back

An employee found himself in deep regret after extending financial help to his immediate superior. Believing he was assisting in a genuine emergency, he lent a significant sum of money to his manager, who claimed it was urgently required for his mother’s hospitalization. What initially seemed like a compassionate act soon turned into a nightmare when the employee discovered that his boss had already tendered his resignation and was nearing the end of a 90-day notice period, scheduled to conclude within just a week.

Building Trust Before the Blow

The employee explained in his online post that he had only recently received a promotion in April and was still adjusting to the responsibilities of his new role. During this time, he was eager to establish rapport with his reporting manager and was learning the fundamentals of handling a team. Merely two weeks into this professional association, the boss confided in him about a financial crisis. Claiming his mother required immediate medical attention, the manager requested a loan, promising repayment with the following month’s salary.

Out of goodwill and on humanitarian grounds, the employee agreed without hesitation. He admitted that, being inexperienced and wanting to be supportive, he never anticipated that this gesture could backfire so disastrously.

A Harsh Realization

As time passed, the truth emerged—his boss had already resigned and was only waiting out the mandatory notice period. With just a few days left before his final exit, the employee grew anxious. Although the manager kept verbally assuring repayment, doubt began to cloud the employee’s mind. He admitted that he felt naïve for still trusting the reassurances and feared losing the entire sum. With limited time remaining, he reached out to others online, asking for practical solutions to recover his money without disturbing workplace decorum.

Advice from the Online Community

Members of the Indian Workplace subreddit quickly responded with a range of suggestions. One user recommended direct confrontation, advising the employee to clearly demand repayment and, if ignored, escalate the issue to Human Resources (HR) and the manager’s superiors. The user also suggested that, if necessary, an official complaint be filed, ensuring all relevant authorities were kept informed through email.

Another member highlighted the complexity of the situation. They pointed out that personal loans between employees are usually regarded as private matters, outside HR’s formal jurisdiction. However, they noted that some companies do have explicit policies prohibiting or regulating such financial dealings. In such cases, HR may still intervene. If no organizational framework existed, the employee might have no option but to pursue legal recourse, such as filing a police complaint, provided proof of the transaction could be furnished.

Learning from Similar Experiences

One individual shared a nearly identical incident from their own professional journey. They described how their colleague initially refused to return the borrowed money, forcing them to escalate the matter to HR and higher authorities during the manager’s final week. Once HR threatened to recover the amount from the manager’s final settlement, the money was promptly returned, albeit after the resignation process was completed.

A Cautionary Tale for Professionals

This story serves as a cautionary reminder for professionals about the risks of mixing personal financial transactions with workplace relationships. Acts of kindness, while noble, can sometimes be exploited, leaving employees vulnerable. The advice shared online underscores the importance of setting boundaries and knowing the proper channels to protect oneself, especially when personal trust crosses into professional spaces.