General Etiquette > All In A Day's Work

Being "told" to donate for owners present AND told the amount?

(1/5) > >>

lecach:
I just started this job 2 weeks ago. It's a small company with less than 20 employees. Our holiday party is during the work day next week. We're having a covered dish (meat provided by company) and a white elephant gift exchange. We got an email today saying that the staff would like to give the owner a gift certificate to a local spa and everyone should give $10 to the secretary. First of all being told that we're doing this is annoying. And then being told the amount? For the record I like the owner, she's actually a distant relative.

What say you, ehellions?

Chocolate Cake:
I think it is presumptuous to make a demand like that.   I would probably reply, "Count me out, please. I've already made other arrangements."   Those 'other arrangements' then, is up to you....maybe it's a nice card, a plate of cookies, or.....nothing.

platys:
If its a small company, folks have probably been working together for awhile.   They might just be used to donating every year, and its a given that they give a certain dollar amount.  It's possible they all discussed it before you were hired - thus the "Everyone give 10 bucks to the secretary" email is just the finalization to that discussion.

graceh9:
every office seems to have the busy body who wants to curry favor with the boss and this sort of lavish gift is a typical example -- it is ludicrous for the boss who makes the big bucks to be given a lavish gift that is beyond what the employees are likely to get at Christmas from anyone -- while the employees get a mug or a candy cane or whatever -- often these plans are not particularly endorsed by the boss (although since you are new you don't know how the dynamics of this place work)

if everyone is getting a giant bonus, well maybe such a gesture is appropriate

the advice to say 'count me out, I have made other arrangements' is the right way to go -- but there are slight risks to this in an environment where you don't know the norms well

ShadesOfGrey:

--- Quote from: lecach on December 11, 2006, 09:17:37 AM ---I just started this job 2 weeks ago. It's a small company with less than 20 employees.
What say you, ehellions?

--- End quote ---

It's a small company, so this is probably normal behavior for them (whether it is appropriate or not is another issue).  This is probably what they do every year (and they probably already discussed a budget before you arrived or without you), so they didnt even think to say "IF you would like to donate..." Thus I say, you should feel free to make your own arrangements, but if you aren't opposed to the gift idea, I would go ahead and chip in whatever you can afford of the amount. 

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page