I got an email yesterday from my boss - she is taking up a collection from the department (10 people) to get the big boss (her boss) a $100 GIFT CARD for Christmas.
1. This big boss has never contributed to anything for any of us. Weddings, babies, retirements, etc. etc. His name is always conspicuously absent from the card.
2. This man makes a LOT of money. Probably $200K a year or more.
3. I find a gift card for the boss VERY inappropriate.
4. Nobody cares for him very much.
HOWEVER, if I do not contribute, it will be very evident that I did not. Both to my boss, and the big boss. I've spoken with two other people in the department, and they are very uncomfortable with it, too, but they will be giving anyway. We work in a very uptight, Fortune 500 company.
Now, if we were taking that $100 and making a donation in his name? I'd be for that. But to give him a gift card?
What do you think?
2006-12-14 00:12:01 · 19 answers · asked by stacie b 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Please keep in mind this is a very formal office. Telling my boss to "take a hike" is not an option.
2006-12-14 00:18:06 · update #1
Well, there's more to the story, and this is awful. So I gave. Well, the big boss took out just the direct reports (my boss) yesterday for a swanky lunch (probably $50 a head). My boss KNEW full well that he was taking just the direct reports, yet she still asked for money from everybody. So five were treated to lunch yesterday, and the other six of us were left behind. They all had "meeting" on their calendar, and ducked out, not even telling someone at my level who normally eats lunch with them. I wish I had that $10 back. The direct reports only should have gone in on the gift. I'm furious. All six of us are.
2006-12-14 23:57:40 · update #2
I would tell her to take a hike, and make sure that everybody knows it!
2006-12-14 00:15:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I agree with you on the 100 dollar donation to a charity in his name. That might be the way to go. Have you spoke to your supervisor about that idea?
Personally, I think it is awful that your boss would put you in this position. How do you say no? It is very inappropriate but I don't know how you'd get out of it. The boss should be taking a collection from the BIG boss to give the lower employees a bonus for Christmas.
We have a similar situation at our work. We have one woman that always feels she needs to take up collections for the boss' gift. For his birthday, boss' day, Christmas. I find it revolting since the guy makes a whole bunch more money than we do. I could see maybe having a lunch for him or something. But not a big present.
oh well. I don't think this helped you much but I understand why you don't like the situation.
2006-12-14 00:23:54 · answer #2 · answered by goldensparkler61 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is ultimately your decision, but I would contribute. You say this is a fortune 500 uptight place? The old school protocol is to cough up for the bossess when asked, as often as is asked. It is called group *** kissing. Your failure to give will be noted, and used against you, possibly at a time when you need all the positive points you might could get.
They could consider your lack of cooperation to be one of those "does not play well with others" things on an evaluation, and since it is your boss collecting for a big boss, you do not have a chance, both can and probably will note this.
The old job had a potluck Christmas party, corporate did not give us one nor attend. I do not eat meat due to dietary problems, and when they wanted $6 for the meat donation, I said no. Oh, my, did I hear about it! And when one of my critics gave a bucket of chicken away to two people from another department for free and invited them to the buffet, boy did she hear about it, from me! They were strangers, we did not know them. So, the moral of the story is, if I later heard about some chicken and ham, imagine what you might encounter over money for a gift. Again, I advise sucking it up, and handing over the money.
PS- the new job does not allow us to take up collections of any kind. Good rule! and a lot of bosses make a statement in advance of the season to please contribute to the charity of your choice, rather than give a gift. Since he/she obviously did not do that, well, more evidence that the gift might be expected.
2006-12-14 00:55:25 · answer #3 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain politely that you are not in a financial position to make this contribution and when they say "oh come on it's only 10 dollars" Tell them quite seriously that you would prefer that they didn't make judgements about your financial situation. If they push you explain it has you've explained in the question. (expect the bit about nobody liking him) That you feel it's inappropriate and that given he earns much more than you, unnecessary. See if you can get the others that don't want to pay to do the same then you won't feel so singled out.
The donation is a really good idea. If he makes 200k a year 100 dollars is nothing you're right it's a completely pointless gesture. An actual gift would be better because at least that takes some thought.
Don't give in on this one. Don't give!
2006-12-14 00:53:21 · answer #4 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So he's gonna get a $1000 gift card? Just suggest to your boss (the one taking the money) That you each contribute 5 instead, and remind her that everyone in the department has Christmas gifts to buy for family and friends, and may not be able to contribute the money.
Or, tell her you and several other people feel uncomfortable giving money to a boss you don't really know, and say that because he makes more money than you, you don't find it fair that you must give up some of your cash for his gift, when he has all the money he needs. (Get the other two people to come with you and back up up on this one)
2006-12-14 00:24:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the decision is ultimately up to you.
Personally if I didn't feel right about getting the "big boss" a gift card I wouldn't contribute any money. When your boss asks you for your contribution just tell her that you don't want to contribute. Just be very professional and look her dead in the eye when you say it. Tell her with some backbone and confidence. She might not like that you are not contributing, but she will probably have more respect for you.
Just look at it this way, if you contribute to the gift card and you think it is the wrong thing to do then you will hate yourself for being such a push over. Believe in yourself, have confidence, and always act professionally.
2006-12-14 00:30:34 · answer #6 · answered by Angela 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just tell the "immediate" boss that a donation in the "big" boss' name would be great, but I would honestly tell what I think,nobody should be FORCED to give for Christmas,in fact,you can show her my answer. FORCED giving is NOT giving it is DEMANDING and making you go against your free will to do this,so that makes it illegal. She is doing this to make HER look good,not any of you,she could care less about each of you,and the reason I say this is simple,if she cared, she would NOT try to FORCE you into giving. She would have asked for suggestions for gifts NOT made anyone give to something they do NOT want to do. Merry Christmas to you and I am more glad than ever to be poor and NOT have to work in that kind of environment.
2006-12-14 15:45:34 · answer #7 · answered by grbarnaba 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Office politics at work. It's not worth the headache over $10. Heck give $20 and just let your boss worry over the extra. It's silly stupid and a waste of money, I agree but your boss is making the stupid choice not you. And when the time comes for you to take over your boss' position you can make the appropriate gift changes.
2006-12-14 00:24:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should try suggesting to your boss that you've talked with your co-workers and you would feel better to take the money and make a donation in his name. It's your money and your entitled to an opinion on how the money is spent. If your boss doesn't like the idea I would just give the $10 and call it a day.
2006-12-14 00:23:07 · answer #9 · answered by Danielle A 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would make a contribution to a charity. Ask them for a card stating you made a donation in your boss' name. Then when the boss comes collecting I would hand her the card and ask her to please pass this on. You will have contributed but still not having to fork over cash for a gift card. Good luck
2006-12-14 01:30:36 · answer #10 · answered by samantha s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont understand what you want us to say? you say you pretty much have to contribute because if you dont everyone will know, you dont really like the guy, you think its a waste, but you cant tell your boss you dont want to do it. sounds like you pretty much answered your own question. just give the money and dont sweat it or if you really dont want to then dont. they cant fire you over it. I think giving a rich person a gift card is a waste. he doesnt need to money. I personally find gift cards tacky period. then the person knows how much you spend. get a nice bottle of wine or something instead. as for the donation...let him make one. hes got all the money.
2006-12-14 01:00:59 · answer #11 · answered by Jenn ♥Cadence Jade's mum♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋