Real life MMD: Should I pay for his day off?

Former_MSE_Penelope

Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay for his day off?

I share a house with my friend. Yesterday, I was last to leave for work so I double-locked the door as usual. She called me to say her boyfriend was staying and was now locked in, but neither of us could leave work to help. The boyfriend's boss took his day from his leave allowance. My housemate told me I should pay him a day's pay. I think, as it was an honest mistake, I shouldn't, especially as he earns a lot more than me.

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epm-84

No if anything the man's girlfriend should give him the days pay. She should have told her house mate that she'd gone to work and left her boyfriend there before he got locked in.

Tigsteroonie

If you didn't know that the BF was staying over, then I don't see how it's your fault. Your friend (or her BF) should have told you that he was staying and that he'd need to be able to leave the house in the morning. If he's out of pocket, that's a result of either his own stupidity or that of your friend - not you.

That's my take on it, anyway

scouserbear

Why would you pay his wages, did you know he was staying, was their a note telling you not to double lock the door????
You did as you usually do and I guess your housemate knows you usually double lock the door so it was their fault he was locked in not yours.

chumber01

find a new housemate?

whitewing

No, do not pay.

AnnaLicious_2

Absolutely not!
This was her guest, and therefore her responsibility.
I would bet anything that he has grumbled to your flatmate about the lost wages, it's creating stress, therefore she has asked you for the money to smooth things over. He is too cowardly to ask you for the money as he knows he is not entitled.
If you did pay, things would not smooth over, and you would resent him whilst he will start to view you as a pushover. If you're going to be sharing living space with him you need to be strong now. Otherwise it's a matter of time before conflicts such as 'you used my butter, you owe me £2' and 'I've upgraded the Sky/Virgin tv package, you watch TV and now you owe me £40 a month' and so on.
Slippery slope, and your flatmate should apologise for asking you something so ridiculous.

[Deleted User]

Couldn't he have jumped out of the window?

Petaldust

If his boss took a day's leave from him then surely he's not out of pocket, just a day down on how much leave he has left - which will teach him and his girlfriend a lesson for not having informed you he was in the house, but hasn't actually cost him anything... so tough!

monkey_writer

100% not your fault. Don't pay! It was the girlfriend's responsibility to let you know not to lock the door, or to give him keys - what, do you have to leave the door unlocked every day in case she has a friend over? Your flatmate is playing status games - don't give her an inch.

Mearsy21

If you left the door unlocked for the BF to exit, how would he have secured the property without a key? So in either case, he would have had to spend the whole day 'house-sitting'. He should count himself lucky not to be thrown out on the street pre-shower & breakfast and that you let him stay FOC in the house all day.