Is this a defense mechanism?

Okay there was a situation between a co-worker and I recently, so I'll explain the situation first. One day he left me to fend with the customers all by myself for a long period of time while he talked to a friend on the sales floor. It is part of his job to help out but he didn't. I became very upset and angry (I thought the behavior was rude, and because he is my supervisor, I thought i felt I was being taken advantage of.) I approached him (visibly upset) and said how wrong and bad the behavior was. I explained the situation to his manager and he also agreed with my stance. This co-worker now says he feels threatened by me (as if I would hit him) as a means for me to get fired. Is this a defense mechanism because I criticized him and his behavior?

Well, maybe he is simply worried that he could be in trouble with his manager, and he's trying to shift the blame onto you.

He also might have assumed you would call him if you needed help, and was taken by surprise by how upset you were. I suggest that if something like this happens again, be sure to ask for help rather than just suffer in silence!

i think it was going over his head more than the criticism. i agree, next time holler that you need help