The Father Of All Entitlement

I work in the billing office at a university. I answer the phone.

Caller: “My son is a student there and just got a work-study job. I need to have your payroll department put the check in my name and send it to me.”

I’m hoping I’ve misunderstood him.

Me: “Do you mean his work-study job where he is the employee? As in his job paycheck?”

Caller: “Yes.”

Me: “Work-study is just like any other employment with respect to payment; the check goes to the employee.”

Caller: “No, the check needs to go to me. I’m paying for his school.”

Me: “Well, that’s something you will need to work out with him. The university needs to pay the employee in accordance with labor laws.”

Caller: *Yelling* “That is unacceptable! I am entitled to that money! The university is ripping me off! I’m paying for his school, so keeping any money he makes there from me is defrauding me!”

I put him through to my managers, and the call eventually reached the head of the department before he realized that no amount of stupidity and yelling would get him what he wanted.