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Throughout your career, work may spill out of the regular hours and seep into your personal time. There's the emergency 10 PM email that needs a response ASAP, the stressed-out client who thinks you're being lazy if you're not working on their project during the weekend, the list goes on.
A few days ago, Reddit user BrushProfessional350 submitted a post to the popular 'Antiwork' community, drawing attention to another way people sometimes have to "be there for the team." Company dinners. Yes, it has food, yes it has drinks, but you know you're expected to show up even if you don't feel like it.
However, in the example presented by BrushProfessional350, the situation was even worse. The workers had to pay for themselves!
Turns out, this appalling practice is quite common. As the post was going viral, other Reddit users flooded the comment section, sharing similar stories of their own.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
About 7 years ago we passed our audit so we were told to all meet at this fancy steakhouse to celebrate it. We were all pumped for some good eats on the company dime.
When we all got there and got seated the 5 of us staff were told by a higher up manager we couldn’t order any apps, no steaks, too pricey. (This was a Fortune 500 company btw) so we were all bummed. Ordering drinks…no alcohol, only allowed to get soda or water cause the lemonade wasn’t free refills. Okay whatever.
So we order our chicken dishes, fish dishes. salads, whatever that wasn’t steak. It was still good.
While eating our meals the VP head of our division shows up. She sits down and orders 2 appetizers, a filet with 2 lobster tails, 3 sides, and a bottle wine for herself.
A few of us politely excused ourselves after eating and just walked out. I left the company a month later.
fu yu 3 years ago
I would've ordered to go if I observed that nonsense. It's a slap on the face.
Zophra 3 years ago
I would have asked why I couldn't order, but she could.
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PiscesMama 3 years ago
That’s the kind of disrespect that would see me quitting too. A very telling way to treat your employees.
John Dilligaf 3 years ago
whenever I hear a story like this I have to wonder - is this some directive the VP actually put out or was this something the manager did on his own (trying to look good or whatever) and the VP had no idea about. Because I've seen that happen a lot. Some mid-level manager putting out "the word" and the higher ups not knowing anything about it.
Yort 3 years ago
Why did they decide to go to a steakhouse f they weren’t going to let anyone order steak??
Jonathan West 3 years ago
Posts like this always remind me of why I love being blue(ish) collar and why I'll never make it up the ladder. The fact that this happened to 5 of you and literally not one of you stood up and said "f**k you, b***h" tells me more about you that I couldn't have guessed (or known) than it tells me about your greedy management.
Mark Andreasen 3 years ago
This. I would've thrown my chicken on the floor then yelled for the waiter. Ordered the most expensive steak and a bottle of good red wine. Then stared at the cheap a*s manager and smiled.
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Mark Kelly 3 years ago (edited)
The grocery store I worked for had a huge party for Christmas and a nice buffet with prime rib. Obviously we didn't have to pay but any guest had to pay a deposit if they didn't show up.
RELATED:
#2
I had something like this happen when I was working for my tribal college in the Capitol around 2008. The project we were working on wrapped up and the museum's project director invited everyone (over 15 of us) to a private room in a fancy-ass tapas restaurant in Washington DC for dinner. In the email invite he bragged about how his connections can get him in anywhere on short notice.
It was an expensive multi-course dinner of tiny food (it was just small expensive food not good or impressive in anyway) and all the while pitchers of margaritas were flowing like water. When the bill came he stopped everyone from leaving the private room, announced what their share was, and since he was generous that he'd pay the tip. Each share was $195, I know the usual gratuity was included because of how big the party was, cheap f**k.
I was pissed and told him how f**ked up and tacky it was to invite people to an expensive place like that and not pay, because over half of the project's workers were already struggling interns; some of them unpaid. My interns were paid and had per diem, but its was a lot less than I got. The asshole could have picked a cheaper place like buffalo wild wings or any sports bar to celebrate if we were to pay for ourselves.
The meal itself was $80, and I had 1 $10 bottle of mexican-bottled Coca-cola. I had been sober for a couple years at that point and didn't partake in all the margaritas. I handed him $300 of my own money and told him it was enough for me and the 2 interns that I worked with; as they were also sober non-drinkers. He tried to say it wasn't enough and called me cheap. I just told my interns to wait for me outside. I told him take it or leave it, the reservation and bill came in your name. I then walked out and never worked that guy again.
LittleLiz 3 years ago
They are hungry and they weren't expecting to have to pay and they are poor
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Missi Boness 3 years ago
That, right there, is a good boss. Making sure your interns are covered is a beautiful, classy move... even when you didn't need to.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
That would be considered retaliation(possibly) as well as destruction of private property(absolutely).
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Terri Backus 3 years ago
He called you cheap? Dude needs a crash course in etiquette. And like I'm paying for my share of YOUR drinks...Ha!! I don't think so.
Cherries and Lace 3 years ago
It's the same mentality as :I worked hard to get where I am" when they are higher up in daddy's business and never worked an entry level job
Load More Replies... phil blanque 3 years ago
Sick...tapas are not a meal. The were ordered to be served at taverns by a Spanish king...so that people ate while drinking, so they did not get drunk so quickly. They are a snack, at best.
Myr Lopez 3 years ago
It'd even be okay in my mind if it was in portions big enough to count as a meal. I've made meals out of snacks before at the end of my food budget when I don't have anything that would work in a meal (like canned peaches, canned beans, and bread) but from the sound of the portions and pricing both this restaurant did NOT do that.
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Shehzadi Amal 3 years ago
Uhhhh.....yeah. His bill. His name. His problem. Have fun with that buddy.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Good for you! That was a stand-up thing to pay for the interns and call the guy out. He was quite the jerk on all levels. Next time you pick the place and only invite the core people you want to celebrate with.
#3
That's sort of like the downhill progression that holiday parties took at my former employer:
• 1st Year, big catered dinner at a fancy restaurant for employees, family and in some cases even friends, bonus checks handed out
• 2nd year, catered dinner at a restaurant for employees and family, no bonus checks but they did have gift cards for everyone
• 3rd year, catered dinner at a restaurant for employees and family, gift card raffle
• 4th year, catered dinner at a restaurant, no gifts or anything
• 5th year, catered dinner in the break room at work, a single +1, 3 junky prizes were raffled off
• 6th year, catered lunch in the break room at work, no guests, a few more junky prizes raffled off (always seemed to go to the same people too, hmm)
• 7th year, catered breakfast in the break room, no guests, no raffles, and you had to clock out for it
• 8th year, "pot luck" lunch in the break room, everyone was expected to bring something on their own dime, you had to clock out for it, and HR set up a table where you could set up a recurring donation to United Way straight from your paycheck
So glad I don't work there anymore. Also fun to mention that my 1st year, it was a $40M/yr company and it was a $700M/yr company when I quit. You'd think they'd have money to take care of employees...
Amanita Virosa 3 years ago
When I was young and foolish a thousand years ago and making minimum wage. The boss called each of in and badgered us until we made a recurring donation to United Way from our paycheck.
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
One admin job I had, we were pushed to make the recurring donation to United Way too. I refused, flat-out told them that as a single mom I could not afford it. Got a bit of side-eye from a couple of people, but I really didn't give a damn. Plus I knew about the shady crap that was going on at United Way!
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dido74 3 years ago
To this day … I will not give a dime to United Way. Worked with a lady who lost everything in a house fire. United Way stepped in immediately with all kinds of help. Few months later … she received a bill from United Way for their “services”. As they say here in Texas … United Way are first responders after a hurricane … selling coffee and donuts!
Chickadee Circle 3 years ago
At the previous company I worked for we had pot luck lunches now and then. The first one I was present for I didn't bring anything because I was essentially brand new and was told not to worry about it. So here I am about to sit down with my plate of food an older lady there practically demanded that I take, and the assistant manager walks out of the office then stops dead beside me. With a hand on her hip she asks in the nastiest tone "What did YOU bring to the pot luck?" I shook my head and told her "nothing, I just started". She proceeded to pick up my plate and then throw it in the trash, then rounded on me finger pointing and said "what do you think this is? Charity? You didn't bring anything so you get nothing!" Why it took me 4 years to quit..... I'll never know...
George C.P. 3 years ago
I wanted to give you a -1 for your 4 years spent in that company that I guess you didn't love, but your story is so sad 😢
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Kai David 3 years ago
I was a head start teacher and they often held united way fund raisers. I refused to participate. (United Way destroyed Davids House in Toledo and they supported anti-gay boy scouts.) HS tried to force me to sign deduction pay, again I refused. On my pay check I noticed a deduction for UW, a 40% donation. HS told me it was to make up for my lack of support. I showed up to their office with 2 attorneys. It did not end well.
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
Head Start is a total scam organization too - they've totally failed the kids they were supposed to be helping. Good for you!
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Mika Vienonen 3 years ago
When my wife and I worked at Motorola they had their yearly company meetings to show how things were going and when that was over the one hour United Way presentation started. We'd watch videos and listen to speakers spout on how great the organization was and that it was "strongly recommended" to donate the maximum amount to the cause. Both my wife and I didn't contribute because we already knew about the horrible distribution of the funds in that organization. We were both hounded by our respective supervisors to donate numerous times throughout the year. And when that didn't work we were called in to our HR office with a UW rep there to "reconsider". Talk about not understanding a person's no answer.
Mikey Kliss 3 years ago
Wow the richer they got the less they cared for the people who got them there
John Dilligaf 3 years ago
because the first coupe of years the company is still starting up. They're trying to build (buy) a sense of teamwork and company loyalty because they know they need you more than you need them. ..... By the 7th year the company knows they've "made it" and you're now replaceable
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Martha B. Higgins 3 years ago (edited)
My employer expected us to donate to United Way via payroll deduction, too, but I have charities that are important to me that I support generously and refused the arm twisting. I'd rather my money go to local charities that are run by people I know and where the money also actually goes to those in need and not to CEOs and huge, bloated "management", and fund-raising expenses. What is the total compensation of president and CEO of United Way Worldwide? United Way Worldwide's CEO received total compensation in 2019 was $1,578,515. Enough said.
Mark Kelly 3 years ago
At the grocery store I worked for for 10 years I always got bonuses and there was a huge party with prime rib. Then after it was bought out by a larger grocery chain eventually the party's got smaller and the bonuses were turned into a 50 cent raise.
#4
Had a boss that pulled something similar; this was a pretty nice spot (maybe $30-$50 a plate) and she tried to pull this s**t, even though it was a “mandatory team building dinner”.
Pretty much everybody left before the check came. Her (and the store’s) name was on the tab so she was stuck with it and was furious.
TBH I think maybe one of us ordered a beer, the rest of us had standard soft drinks, and we all just ordered off of the regular menu— nothing cute.
Sorry don’t make it a work thing if work ain’t gonna foot the bill. You are not my friend and I’m not beholden to spend my off time with you to help “build a team”.
Felice Coles 3 years ago
Maybe she learned something? Your employees are not your friends, and they don't want to spend their down time with you.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
They also don’t make as much money as the boss does. Paying the bill for a get-together that the suits make mandatory to attend is supposed to be passed upwards to those very same suits, or at least whoever is in charge of that department/division/branch/etc. NEVER DOWN to employees making way less. This also applies—-at work—-to gifts at Christmas and Brithdays.
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Christina T 3 years ago
If it was a mandatory team building dinner, you should've been paid since it has to do with work. And yet she expected you to pay for your own dinner?
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
If it was a "mandatory team building dinner," the company should not only cover the cost of the dinner, but also pay you for attending it. No company gets to mandate how you spend your free time.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
I think that if they call it mandatory, they not only have to pick up the tab, but also have to pay you overtime.
#5
This happened at the first law firm I worked at (at the height of the property bubble so the owner was minted). I should add they paid a pittance.
They took us out for Christmas dinner, seriously hit the wine and asked for the bill to be split 48 ways at the end of the night. Seemed surprised when most people walked out without paying.
Felice Coles 3 years ago
That's not all the bosses should have been surprised at. How about a b***h slap for every one of them?
Hagen Radcliffe 3 years ago
That’s the 1st thing I thought! Who the hell is gonna split a bill 48 times?!!
Load More Replies... Mark Kelly 3 years ago
Here in Canada the grocery store I worked at had a big party with prime rib and obviously no paying.
Ella Blackwood 3 years ago
That is such BS! I am so glad my company always pays for company outings, group dinners and caters lunches in for team meetings (when they are held during the lunch hour). The only thing we have to pay for ourselves is impromptu happy hours that are completely optional, which I rarely attend anyway.
#6
I had a manager do something like that to me. He said that we (four of us in the "team") had to go out to lunch together to welcome the new person. Manager decided where we were going, and since this was mandatory, I assumed the company or the manager was paying for the lunch. When the bill came, he started to split it up – – but then he said the new person shouldn't pay because he was new, and that since I was the only one of the four that did not have kids to support, I should pick up the tab. No one objected, or seemed to think it was unfair. After sitting there with a totally stunned blank look on my face, and everyone looking at me and putting their wallets away, I ended up paying for it. I was so shocked I couldn't react otherwise, and I kick myself to this day.
Stephanie A Mutti 3 years ago
And shame on the other person at the table being cool with it too.
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Lillukka79 3 years ago
Yes! I would have said that I've learned that the one that invites others is the one who pays, unless it's agreed before to split the bill, but if it's mandatory then it sure as hell isn't any of the workers.
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Douglas Mock 3 years ago
Blatant illegal discrimination, theft, and the absolute gall of the soon to be hospitalized manager...
phil blanque 3 years ago
Well, you get surprised and burned by the person with the most power over you. A sick abuse of that power.
Maree Tangney 3 years ago
I work in a resthome, one year we recieved thirteen dollars as a bonus,, then the receptionist asks if we would like to donate it to the residents fund??? Lady we look after them day in and day out, take crap day in and day out. No thank you I don't at least the pittance bonus paid for a prescription I needed. Oh yes last year it was two dollars more a 15 dollar supermarket voucher.
#7
I had a boss that would “take us out to celebrate some company accomplishment”, tell us we would all have to pay for our lunches, collect the money from each of us, then go pay the bill with the company credit card. Did it for years.
Memere 3 years ago
Absolutely. Pocket the cash, put the tab on the company credit card & expense it! A new form of double dipping.
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Thomas Jones 3 years ago
Years? No. That happens ONCE and you bolt. Preferably sending an "oh by the way" to the company's accounting department or the IRS
Mark Andreasen 3 years ago
Bolt? No. You wrestle the manager's wallet out and take everyone's money back. And if it's time to move on, slug him in the face for good measure. "I was looking for a job when I came in here."
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Randy Kitchens 3 years ago
Get a rope. Tie him up. Transport him back to the office, HR department and call the top manager. Theft is theft. Each company spews corporate ethics for underlings to enjoy. That is a bad culture to have in a business.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
They would have made me quit. I hate getting ripped off and I hate cheaters/liars.
#8
Had a group meal with some execs (of Atari, this was a while back). We all knew we had to pay for our own food, that's the way the Tramiel organization was.
VP sitting next to me orders a huge meal with drinks. Towards the end of the meal, he plops down five dollars, says, "I've got to go," and bails.
We paid for his meal. And that VP (of sales, I think) got absolutely no help from engineering ever again, f**k him.
Dina Anastasakos 3 years ago
So the guy who makes the most money stiffs everyone else. This guy has zero shame
LightsoutSD 3 years ago (edited)
F**k that. I would’ve asked for separate checks then told the manager that the VP dine and dashed, here is his name and place of work and they should contact the police. Then stonewall his ass at work as well.
elfin 3 years ago
When I used to work in assembly we would sometimes eat out with engineers from the company. Most of them had drinks with their meal. Then they'd throw down money for the food, apparently "forgetting" the drinks, and walk out. I was once the last one out and left to pay the bill. I had barely enough money available and not enough for a decent tip (pre-credit card). The restaurant felt sorry for me. Assemblers make a fraction of what engineers make, but I never had a coworker in assembly stiff me the way engineers did routinely.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
As it should be! I hate splitting bills this way. Even at family gigs, no one pays their share and someone gets screwed. I had worked at a company for 12 years, had a baby, and was quitting to be a mom. They had a nice dinner for me and everyone left their cash. We were the last to leave because we had this new little guy to pack up. We had to pony up about $50 that hadn't been covered. One of my co-workers later told me that my boss did not want to cover my husband's meal because the dinner was for me. Go figure on that one.
Brandi VanSteenwyk 3 years ago
Curious how much the VPs portion actually came to. Only because years ago, $5 went a lot further than it does today.
P Webb 3 years ago
Not THAT much further. Read "huge meal WITH drinks." Restaurant meals & alcoholic beverages weren't that much cheaper in the 80's. Maybe a few bucks cheaper. Would have been about $40 or more depending on the restaurant.
Load More Replies... Carrie Demirel 3 years ago
...and that VP ranks high in another subReddit "HIAHA He Is A Huge A**hole"
#9
I worked part time at a place that sold things I love to collect in their warehouse dept. small business, about 12 employees. During the shutdown, the shipping manager and all of us asked for hazard pay. They denied it, so since the shipping manager had all the company’s credit card info, he made it a point to make sure we’d get lunch paid for by the company. This was ok’d for two weeks, and the owners even joined us a couple of times. One of them made a big deal about how generous they were for buying lunch.
When the two weeks of free lunch were over, we had a staff meeting, and I asked about overtime pay, hazard pay, and PPE, because we were working through a f**king pandemic. They claimed there wasn’t enough money for it. Well, the shipping supervisor was having none of it. He continued to buy us lunch for months, up until the day the company closed down because they had (shocking, I know) been ripping off investors. I later found out they even had applied for and gotten PPE loans from the government but used them to invest in themselves and a side company rather than ensuring that their “essential workers” were ok during a f**king pandemic. When the company shut down, I helped myself to some of those things that I like as severance pay.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
Listen, if the company is going to screw you over and not pay you accordingly, f*****g well right you’re going to make up the difference from comparably valued inventory. F**k the suits, they probably all got their f*****g multi-million dollar golden parachutes, even though they drove the company 8th the round and cheated both employees and investors.
Brandi VanSteenwyk 3 years ago
And I also hope that the Feds were informed of the misuse of PPE funds. I must say that I have delighted in seeing so many of the conniving thieves losing all of their ill-gotten gains AND their freedom for taking advantage of a system meant to expeditiously ensure everyone still earned a paycheck during the pandemic. Just another SHI**Y mess The Don left others to clean up.
Cleon Curtiss 3 years ago
Those PPE loans either have to be paid back or proven that they were used for payroll as intended. Pretty sure they can’t be written off in the bankruptcy
#10
I also had a similar experience. The whole team was invited to a pizza party after hours, then once we said yes, we were asked to put in for the expected cost.
Thankfully covid restrictions came in and it was cancelled.
Having to hang out with my co-workers, after hours, and pay for it myself, f**k off.
Tom Spade 3 years ago
Yep, I feel that. One place I worked, long ago expected me to attend regular marathon drinking sessions at local topless joints every place we went. I don't even drink, fugdat #1. Ain't handing my cash out to skanks, fugdat#2. Expected I'd be happy to drive the drunks home afterwards, fugdat#3. Nope, I'd already heard about it. Never once got caught up in that.
Jefferson Selvy 3 years ago
You could have made mint off that. Stop at every gas station and make the drunks divvy up for fuel.
Load More Replies... Shehzadi Amal 3 years ago
My GM at a Domino's I worked at got monthly bonuses. To "reward" us he had a pizza party. During shift hours. With pizzas we had to make. At least I was technically paid to attend. 😐
James G. Currie 3 years ago
"Sorry, but I have to wash my car that day." "You don't own a car." "I'll buy it that morning."
#11
I had a s**tty boss that did this to us once. She scheduled a team dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown. The bill came, and she said she was covering the first $200 of like a $500+ check, the rest was on us. After much other f**kery, we eventually went to HR and got her removed from management back to an "individual contributor" role, somewhere else in the company.
#12
My husband was invited to go to a team happy hour during work hours. He didn’t want to go because he didn’t like his team, but he would have been the only one not going and his boss would start to notice. He went knowing this wasn’t a free meal, so he only ordered a burger, and had water. Everyone else ordered several alcoholic drinks and appetizers. When the bill came, he expected roughly $20 for his part. Nope- the manager “suggested” splitting the bill. My husband ended up paying $60 for his burger and cup of water.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
Nah, this is when you leave just enough to cover your meal and walk out.
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Leslie Harris 3 years ago
I had something similar happen, I ordered an affordable lunch special with water, and the rest ordered entrees and appetizers (which weren't shared) along with soda or beer. I spoke up, I said mine was only $15, I'm not here to subsidize everyone's meals. Its different if you are asked to pitch in for a birthday meal for the one person, but not for the rest.
Kimberley McMillan 3 years ago
I would have gotten up, gone to the front and paid for my own meal and left.
Randy Kitchens 3 years ago
I would have had a better suggestion for him involving a fixed object.
James G. Currie 3 years ago
He should have handed over the $20 and said it covers his meal plus tip.
Kimberley Gayle Thomas 3 years ago
This is why I always ask for separate checks to prevent such issues.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
After too much of that 'group bill' stuff, I always push for individual tabs.
#13
Reminds me of my last boss.
He was a new 'manager'. I didn't like the guy before he got the role but I didn't let it affect how i did my job.
One day he sends out a message via email that he is inviting the whole team to lunch at a local favorite.
I had a lot of work to do and the local favorite was actually one of my least favorite, so I didn't bother to respond to the email. A few minutes later an MS teams message basically the same. Still ignored. Then a direct text from him. FML.
Decided if he was trying this hard to buy me lunch I'd go even though the place he wanted was a full 30 minutes from the job i was working on. I get there and the boss is already seated and eating. This was a pizza buffet place that you pay first then get whatever you want. He clearly had no intention of buying. What an asshat.
I'm ashamed to say I bought my food and ate there with the team thinking surely there must be a topic to discuss. Nope. This moron just didn't want to eat alone and bullied everyone into coming to lunch with him.
I don't work there anymore.
Pamela Steffen 3 years ago
I had a boss who insisted our very small group have lunch out every day. She chose the location. It wasn't cheap. She also required us to donate a percentage of our paycheck to the United Way, donate one weekend a month to fund raising and was always in our personal business. After 4 years I got a different job and her business was absorbed by a bigger company. She began coming to my organization to 'help'.... I eventually moved out of state. Never in my life have I felt more suffocated. That woman was an absolute boar.
China Nolan 3 years ago
And this crap is why bosses are screaming for a return to work...a lot of the bosses I've worked for over 60 years of working don't really have friends and use in person work to simulate friendships.
James G. Currie 3 years ago
"Sorry, dude... I only have a 30 minute meal break. Don't want to be docked for a 90 minute lunch."
#14
Don’t feel bad, I’m in trouble at work because I didn’t go to a unpaid meeting in a day off that would have spent 30$ for getting an Uber because I was working at another job.
Jill Bussey 3 years ago
I was informed that I would be working the weekend (outside normal working week) for stock take in the warehouse. I asked what was the overtime rate, or would it be time off in lieu? No. No pay, no OT, no time off. So, see you all on Monday then. They fired me. I took them to the industrial tribunal and won. I don't work for nothing for anyone.
Mike Loux 3 years ago
Reminds me of an old meme/joke/whatever. Boss: "I need you come in this weekend." Employee: "OK, but public transportation isn't as good on the weekend, so I will be late." Boss: "When will you get here?" Employee: "Monday."
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Ellen Larkin 3 years ago
I worked for Buc-ee's and one of their top things that they do for everyone is an unpaid orientation it takes roughly three to four hours and you don't get paid for it and they get away with it with every store they open
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Kim Shannon 3 years ago
I once got in trouble for not attending a meeting because I was car shopping. Not car shopping for fun, mind you. I desperately needed a car THAT DAY so I could get back and forth to work. So I missed the meeting but never missed a shift. The creep that ran HR eventually got fired.
B-b-bird 3 years ago
Had as*hat manager who would schedule team meetings every Wednesday (on my day off) so I could either attend during my day off or skip and be not aware of what are the updates. I was next in chain after him, the rest of the team was under my supervision. He was just afraid that I have some authority, wanted to make me seem incompetent and ultimately push me out. I left (due to better opportunities). Last that I know he was let go because of anger issues.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
I do not understand how they can require you to go to something and not pay for your time to do it. If it is your day off, then they are not your boss that day.
Hagen Radcliffe 3 years ago
What? WHAT?!! “You’re in trouble” holy s**t, what is this -middle school?? Gonna get a mark on the permanent record!
#15
Same happened to me at a job. I'm a new employee, boss says we're going out to celebrate coworkers birthday. Get to the restaurant, and order food, and they paid for the birthday person's meal, but no one else's. If I had known, I would have declined. Nice that the birthday person's meal got paid for, but don't say "we're celebrating", invite everyone out, then not pay for them.
Na Schi 3 years ago
I'm biased... celebrating someone's birthday normally not includes a free meal until said person all invites you for it.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
If you are a boss and you invite your employees to a meal, you will automatically be expected to cover it unless you specifically say otherwise beforehand.
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Mark Kelly 3 years ago
Actually that does kind of makes sense. Do you think companies are going to celebrate and pay for every single employee's birthday? Well maybe they will so technically each person would get a turn.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Hmm, maybe you did not understand because you were new. I worked at one place for a few years that was located near all sorts of great restaurants. When someone would have a birthday, they would choose where we would eat. We chipped in on the birthday meal and all paid for our own. Ity was great fun and I tried to keep a birthday stash of cash so I could afford some excellent food - Greek, French, Mexican, Fancy meals andnot cheap.
Thomas Peterson 3 years ago
Oh, this happens in real life. I was invited to a birthday party at an expensive restaurant. I purchased a gift in an amount similar to what it would cost them to include me. Imagine my surprise when I was given a bill for my dinner and the highly decorated birthday cake. The couple was from California. Is this how its done out there?
#16
My husband's company posted a billion in net profit this year. He PAID for 2 mouses for his employees. Yeah, $24 for wireless mouses because they wanted them to use ones that don't work. He also bought the fridge for their break room. This is at their corporate headquarters in the ONLY department that worked on site through the pandemic. They have a Children's Hospital Wing named after that company, but their employees can't keep their food cold working 12p to 7a while they eat WHILE WORKING.
Jenn Jenn 3 years ago
Damn. I just started a new job and was used to the type of shenanigans you speak of from my previous employer. I asked to order ear buds and he said it was fine. I ordered the cheapest ones available. Afterwards, he asked me what kind of ear buds I ordered and it was very clear in that moment, I could have ordered the crazy expensive Apple wireless ones and no one would have batted an eyelash. It's weird being conditioned to expect less than what you deserve.
Hagen Radcliffe 3 years ago
Yup. We’ve been conditioned to expect nothing, get less & thank them for the honor of the being treated like dirt. I’m so glad I’m old.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
He better keep the receipts and take those things with him when he leaves. You have computers needing mouses at home, and the fridge can keep extra beer cold in the garage. Unless one of his coworkers who’s going to stay a while longer wants to buy them (and if he likes them he can either gift them or cut them a good deal—-if they’re an a*****e, he can tell them no or charge them out the yingyang for them).
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
Midnight to 7am, that's just shy of the 8 hours that would require a mandatory meal break
Marilyn Russell 3 years ago
I believe it’s illegal for an office not to provide refrigeration for employees’ lunches. At least in Canada.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
Remember, the States doesn't have nearly the same protection for workers as other countries do.
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Ella Blackwood 3 years ago
Wow, makes me feel like I should never complain about anything work related ever again. I had no idea how bad some companies are.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Sometimes it seems that the really big companies and really rich people are totally out of touch with reality. Blessings for your husband who hasn't forgotten those who have made that company so well off.
Carrie Demirel 3 years ago
This story wasn't written with clarity - it sounded as if it's her husband's own company (not one he that employs him) so he sounds like a Scrooge per the mouse devices then she says he purchased a refrigerator for the break room...
#17
Years ago, when I decided I'd had enough of 'working for the man' I left the company and the industry entirely. To be frank, I didn't work for the monsters I hear about here so often but I also knew they could do a lot better taking care of employees than they did - and that it was going to get way worse.
The owners had done the unthinkable thing and sold the company and in my first conversation with my boss after the internal announcement I made him aware we needed to plan for my replacement. He was a fantastic guy, had literally brought me in as HIS succession plan. I was already doing about 80% of his job. I had no worries about getting shoved out the door. I gave 6 months notice; worked with them to get my replacement up to speed and had three goodbye parties thrown for me.
I saw the bill at the 3rd which was the most intimate event. There were only a fozen or so of us. My regional manager picked up a $15k tab that evening. It was the company dime.
When I think back on that and compare what my company spent just to see me off (when I didn't even want to work there any more) and I compare that to the fact your company won't even spend on you to celebrate a good year, all I can think of is how s**tty your company is.
Qibli of the SandWings 3 years ago (edited)
American here, what is a fozen? Or is that a typo for dozen (edit: why was I downvoted? It’s an honest question. I don’t know if it comes from another language! Geez)
Memere 3 years ago
Should have been dozen. The letter d is right next to the letter f on the keyboard, so definitely a typo - it refers to the number of people at the 3rd farewell party.
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Memere 3 years ago
Eatin' & drinkin' some hella expensive food & wine for sure!
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Janet Graham 3 years ago
My Dad worked for a union broadcasting station. The company always threw great Christmas parties for the adults, huge fruit baskets for the family, and real presents for the kids. One year, they went over the top. Each kid got 4 presents (good stuff like barbie dolls) the families got 2 huge food baskets that included smoked turkeys and hams and the adult party was at a very swanky restaurant and had a live band. Later, we found out that another one of their union stations was on strike so they gave our station all of their gifts and spent all of the money on us. That did not go over well.
Michele Walker 3 years ago
Amen! But Americans (I speak as one) have become so very lazy about their personal freedoms being taken away. They always state "one person can't change things", when -in fact- they CAN!
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
Is it laziness? Or is it the older generations acting like younger ones are spoiled brats when we start to fight for these personal freedoms?
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#18
My partner works for a Fortune 500 (136 to be specific) company and they give every employee $10 Walmart gift cards for Christmas. The company is worth $21 BILLION and gave out freaking $10 gift cards.
Chickadee Circle 3 years ago
I honestly can't believe Walmart is number 1.... what a scam
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LittleLiz 3 years ago
That's what I always say. These jerks get/stay wealthy by being cheap (refusing to tip, not giving bonuses or raises, tricking employees, double-dipping, and evading taxes. The people who do the right thing and help those in need and show empathy will never be billionaires
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Vanessa Lee Troy 3 years ago
A supervosor gave everybody $10 gift cards to Nieman Marcus. We pooled them and gave them to a pregnant cowoker.
Carrie Demirel 3 years ago
More insulting than no gift at all 🤦 Note to self: do not purchase through CarMax.com. Ever.
Mark Kelly 3 years ago (edited)
WTF? I got $500 to 800 dollars from the grocery store I used to work at. My current boss gives me $500.
Chickadee Circle 3 years ago
At my previous job the managers got roughly $5000 Christmas bonuses and employees got gift cards.... from the company we work for, essentially just giving the company the money back once they're used. The owners have houses all over the world too, so we all know it's bs...
Vanessa Lee Troy 3 years ago
A boss gave us all $10 cards to NIEMAN MARCUS. We decided to give all of ours to a pregnant coworker. I did not write a thank you note
NeonDisco 3 years ago
I used to work at an independent garage /forecourt and every Christmas EVERY employee was given £100 cash bonus in their hands. He also booked the main hall in the poshest restaurant for 3 course meal, free unlimited bar and a disco that went from 6pm to 2am and paid for everything including taxis to take everyone home. When he retired everyone was crying because we knew we were about to lose the best boss that we ever had or ever will again.
#19
Yeah I was peeved when my work forced us to participate in "secret santa" in which we had to spend minimum £15 (2 hours of work for me) on a gift for one of our co-workers. I don't even like them and you're forcing me to spend 2 hours of my life of a s**tty little gift otherwise I'll be fired for not being "part of the family" (Obviously the bosses didn't do nothing for us, no Christmas bonus no free food... we got 1 free drink and that was it) just nasty. Either give me a Christmas bonus or don't but why would you force me to LOSE money for Christmas!!!
GirlFriday 3 years ago
We did Secret Santa where I worked and had a limit of $5 for the entire week. We had a ball hiding gifts and leaving clues for our coworkers so they could go on a scavenger hunt and find a candy cane or a scratch off ticket.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
I know a lot of folks who buy scratch tickets whenever they are required to produce a gift.
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Kevin Beard 3 years ago
It would be fun to tell them, that they don't pay you enough to afford this. Sorry, I won't be able to eat today because you don't pay me enough to eat and buy this gift.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Secret Santa only works when everyone gets along really well, and the spending limit is low so people can afford it. Better if there’s no pressure if you decide to opt out (I do that when asked to contribute to buying cakes and small presents for every f*****g birthday in a large office). Even better if you have everyone who’s participating write their name plus things they like on the pieces of paper their coworkers draw the hat, it gives people who may not know you well a hint for what to get them. If someone hates coffee, then knowing not to get them a coffee mug really helps. However, the ultimate best thing is for management to f*****g pony up and give out bonuses instead!
Terri Backus 3 years ago (edited)
At Christmas time my husband's dept., Custodial, had to set things up and decorate for the Christmas party. They, however, we're not invited to the party but every other department was.I guess someone in management was afraid the custodians wouldn't wash their hands before going to the buffet line- that they set up in the first place....kinda hard not to take that as a personal insult. Oh, the company? The United Stated Postal Service.🤨
Herman Trowser 3 years ago
I worked for USPS. Must have been you're managers. Our custodians always sneaked in the alcohol
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Zach Click 3 years ago
We had a $20 optional secret santa at the small gas station I work at, (big gas station chain, but small store) The store manager brought in dollar store stocking and puff paint to make stockings to hang up around the register. We have a lot of regulars that come in daily and would often shove small gifts into their favorite cashier's stocking. This can be a really fun thing to do if it's done right.
Jo Firth 3 years ago
Yeah, Secret Santa should be cheap - that's half the fun. I usually end up spending nothing by regifting something I've been given in the past that I don't use (perfumed anything).
Adrienne Doyle 3 years ago
The only thing with my department's Secret Santa is that we're not allowed to regift. Other than that, it's still relatively inexpensive, and people can opt out if they want. The other thing is that the company pays for the lunch that goes along with our party.
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Marty Sunderland 3 years ago
We did Secret Santa. It was totally optional, and no sweat to those who couldn't or didn't want to participate.
Luis Gomez 3 years ago
I did secret Santa with my coworkers. I bought a nice poster with children playing jazz. Spending limit was $20. Then this manager, this freaking manager, got a $400 ipod for his secret Santa! On top of that, he got angry because he got a hand made oven glove!
Janet Graham 3 years ago
I don't think that you will be there long. You obviously have some issues with the job and the boss.
#20
First day at a new job, I was given a welcome dinner. Good thing I had my wallet on me, because I got stuck with the bill.
Stephen Steve Stephenson III 3 years ago
Are you a rookie on a professional sports team? Otherwise, this is weak sauce
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Bet you didn’t stay there long after that. I mean, FFS. That takes some cojones. Screwing you over on your very first day?
#21
Oh yeah, I’ve been there. Was at a national sales meeting and got invited by a department VP (outside my own) to an escape room and dinner and drinks afterwards with his team. End of the night, “OK, everyone, VENMO me your share for the night!! I was like…..W…….T…….F??!!? Totes should have stayed at hotel for free dinner and drinks.
Daniel Marsh 3 years ago
I wouldn't've paid. Not your department. Name's not on the bill. He invited you to dinner and drinks, not to pay for dinner and drinks.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
If the boss made the reservation, the restaurant should’ve had his, or the company’s, credit card info on file. I would’ve gotten everyone to walk out and tell the restaurant manager to charge the boss’s card, explaining that no one had brought any money. Because the invitation said nothing about the event not being comped for guests. Boss is the host, employees are merely guests.
Load More Replies... Carrie Demirel 3 years ago (edited)
How does one climb the ranks and not know basic corporate etiquette? Best to let folks know up front, avoid awkwardness & resentment later. "Building a Good Team 101" includes showing appreciation and respect and can include treating your team, employees to fun paid events, meals according to company budget...if small revenue, there are ways to make it work, if company grows so do the events. Insulting your team, employees? We all get to read about it in places like Bored Panda and Reddit...
James G. Currie 3 years ago
Must be reasonably recent... That being said, "You invited me, sunshine...and what's venmo?" (Yes, I know what it is, but not everyone has it...)
#22
Interesting story in this at my company. There was a dinner that got out of hand. It was like 20 people in Norway (very expensive to eat out) but the bill came to $10K the VP had just got back from some big trip and his credit card was maxed out.
One of the new college grads put it on her American Express. It was a whole big thing and she ended up having to go to the CEO of a fortune 500 company and explain. It was really the VP that should have been doing that.
Oopsydaisy 3 years ago
A college grad with 10k on her card! When I graduated from uni I couldn't have afforded to buy them sparkling water.
Lion Whackett 3 years ago (edited)
This exact same thing happened to my husband & I very early in his career. (He was a sales rep.) My husband & I were freaking out that our card wouldn't take the charge. It was pre cellphones, so he would've had to "discuss" it with them on the restaurant phone at the host's desk. After sweating bullets, the charge was accepted, but for the rest of his career (he retired a VP), my husband made sure that that NEVER happened to anyone below him in the food chain.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
Wow! I wonder what would have happened if she didn't put herself out there like that.
Karina Carr 3 years ago
It says they're in Norway. The conversion works out to around $1100 usd
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#23
My manager did this twice. Throughout the company there was a culture of managers taking out their teams for lunch, once every quarter. However my team's manager left the company and our director had to fill in that spot for about 9 months before they could find someone suitable. Our team had about 40 people, technically two teams run by leads and a manager overseeing those leads. This new manager lied about promoting me twice as well, before he left the company. Throughout his 3 years within the company, this guy took us out to lunch twice. He didn't do it for a long time and one of the leads let him know "hey you know it's good for team morale to go out for lunch and celebrate milestones" so this guy took us out to cpk, and again about 6 months later to cheesecake factory. Both times he left early from lunch and paid only for his meal and expected the team to pay for their expensive-ish meals. I mean I ordered the steak thinking it's a company paid event. I've had other managers invite us out to lunch and drinks after work for helping out their team and cover the bill. Some complained about this around, so the man decides it's better to have pot lucks instead of having everyone go out to team lunches. I'm glad he's gone.
Felice Coles 3 years ago
Did he have enough self-awareness to know that everyone else was glad he was gone, too?
China Nolan 3 years ago
The company gave him an entertainment budget and ole boy was pocketing it.
P Webb 3 years ago
Is it possible that since he was only filling in for the management position he didn't have the same access to the funding for entertainment expenses that other managers had? Or he wasn't aware that he had access to it? Surely he wasn't expected to pay for lunch for 40 people out of his own pocket?
Marty Sunderland 3 years ago (edited)
Had a boss that would have pot lucks for Thanksgiving, and we'd all bring dishes. He'd roast a yummy turkey, for which HE got reimbursed.. He also made at least 3x-5x more than the rest of us.
#24
Had one where they tied it to some charity so we were ok with paying. But the next one they said “hey everybody’s invited to come to this chain restaurant down the road”. Didn’t tell us we were buying our own food and drink until we got handed the menus. Half of us, including me, couldn’t afford to be eating out on the wages they were paying us.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
Would've loved to see their faces when those people just stood up and left.
Joshua Williams 3 years ago
So many instances of this can be avoided by saying "are you buying?" I would never assume someone else was paying, and would immediately point out the fact that I can't afford it with what they're paying me.
Keisha 3 years ago
Alot of people that go out for company dinners or lunches only go if someone else pays the tab because they don't have the money to eat at home,much less out at a restaurant. You can't just drop something on them like that. It may mean they have to not pay a bill or buy enough groceries until payday to attend something like this.
China Nolan 3 years ago
What a disconnect between management and employees. They didn't even know you couldn't afford that restaurant on their pay scale. #cluelessbosses
James G. Currie 3 years ago
*And that is where everyone other than the asshat managers walked out and went to Taco Bell for drive through*
Janet Graham 3 years ago
They may not realize how tight most folk's money is. They should always tell you first that you pay for your own or they are paying. next time, ask.
Hagen Radcliffe 3 years ago
I’ve always wondered if the big shots truly don’t know or understand that the workers simply cannot afford lunches or dinners at restaurants. Can people really be that dense? These are grown ass adults with education and “important” jobs. Personally, I think they ARE aware. They Just. Don’t. Care.
#25
My boss did this too, but for a company lunch. He invited everyone to lunch, which in my experience, suggests he is paying! Then at the end of lunch he asked everyone to pay their share. Wtf
#26
It reminds me of a story I was told by a friend. He and a group of co-workers were away together and eating out every night. Each night a different person would pay (they had company cards). After one particularly expensive meal, they noticed that their boss hadn't paid once so they challenged him!
He explained that he had to approve their expenses, but that his boss had to approve his expenses.
The penny dropped at that point.
Bex 3 years ago
Kinda, he was using them to get his meals paid for, because his boss wouldn't let him expense them.
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Eric Steward 3 years ago
So... the company still paid for everything, this just made it easier for your boss? Seems like a win-win.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
The only reason to use a different person's card every day would be to avoid scrutiny from the highest ups at that point.
Ella Blackwood 3 years ago
It is a rule at my company that the highest ranking person at the dinner, outing, event, etc. has to pay for it on their corporate card. I think that is to insure proper oversight.
#27
I used to work for a boomer who’d pull similar s**t. He’d saunter out of his office, announce that he was generously buying lunch for the team, tell one of us to go pick it up, pay for it, and he’d approve the expense. There were 8 of us so whoever ended up going was out of pocket $300 until whenever he decided to do approvals.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
Sorry, you're a fool if you already know what stupid games the jerk is playing and you play along.
China Nolan 3 years ago
I'm supposed to front Ole Shakey with what? Bill money, mortgage money, personal savings money and incur late fees, credit problems and eat less till payday for his pimping azz? We aren't sleeping together so he better step off with his sociopath behavior and get a clue!
Karina Carr 3 years ago
You know for a fact that the person wasn't born between 1946 and 1964?
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James G. Currie 3 years ago
"Sorry sir, but we're all still waiting for reimbursement for the last time we did it."
Skylar Jaxx 3 years ago
He still payed it back. You gave him a loan u didnt miss out on anything. And if u knew his game and that it would put u in the hole don't be the one to pick up lunch.
China Nolan 3 years ago
That's unacceptable behavior at any age and his momma should taught him better. Only smarmy pimps do that and only hoes accept that. Don't be a hoe. Stand up for yourself!
Load More Replies... Daniel Marsh 3 years ago
I'm not seeing where this is in the same category as the others. You got your free meal, apparently worth about $35 each. Maybe he was a bit out of touch not realizing holding the debt until the approval process was cleared was a hardship for some, but he was buying nice lunches for everyone.
No you can't have my name 3 years ago
He was pretending to buy it and made someone else foot the bill until it was convenient enough for him to repay them.
Load More Replies... China Nolan 3 years ago
Thomas, please, don't come around defending a smarmy pimp move.
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#28
My former boss had drinks and appies to celebrate two people getting their property manager licenses. One of them was his daughter. The other one couldn't get there until later. So by the time the second property manager arrived to celebrate, all the food had been eaten, so she had to order her own. And pay for her own dinner and drinks.
That was my ex boss's way of celebrating and encouraging his employees.
James G. Currie 3 years ago
And more importantly, the second Property Manager's ex-boss, preferably that week!
#29
I had the same experience as OP once. Actually had a guy on the team do what you said and skipped out on paying his part of the bill. The rest of us were like "we're not covering for him." I think the manager had to pay his share because we all left.
#30
This reminds me of the time I worked physical labor for 12-16 hours a day and the boss would take us out to eat. He paid, but when I was absolutely famished and ordered a TON of food to get my caloric intake my body needed, he would b**ch.
I finally told him if he's going to b**ch then stop paying for my meals. I need this food and if it bothers you then I'll just buy it myself.
I seriously needed a LOT of food, like near athlete olympic level food. It was really hard work in the heat. He continued to pay for my meals, begrudgingly. I wasn't being disrespectful, I needed that food to perform my job adequately. And I was more than willing to front the bill myself rather than hear him complain. Why pay for my meal if you're going to limit what I can eat? These bosses are seriously stupid.
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
The employee should have let the employer decide how much he was allowed to eat and adjust his physical labor to the amount of food he was offered.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
The boss should’ve known his lower level employees would eat more than normal because he’s paying for it, and expect a larger than normal bill. Especially if those employees do a lot of manual labor, which burns calories like mad and takes a lot out of you. I mean, Duh!
Load More Replies... phil blanque 3 years ago
Wow...this apparently happens a LOT...It is so abusive and inconsiderate...I have no words. WAIT...I worked in government most of my life. This is what politicians do ALL of the time...donations, speaking events....you have to pay. And campaigning for no pay. I never did, and would have been fired if I did not quit first.
Rick Hoppenbrouwer 3 years ago
I once worked in a Hog operation and I was eating about 5000 calories a day to maintain 150lbs.
Eiram 3 years ago
This person should have paid for themselves, anything past a normal entree. They are obviously entitled and not in the same category as the rest of these.
Julie Cohn 3 years ago
He's working 12-16 hours of hard labor.. Of course he's more hungry than the regular pencil pushing employees are, & there's no reason an employer, you know the guy who filed the position, shouldn't understand that. I'm a kennel technician, & one day one of our secretaries said "woahhh, you're eating a huge amount!" Aggravated, (& this not being the first time she had rudely brought it to my attention) we both pulled out our health apps on our phones. I had well over 6,000 more steps than her. No s**t I'm eating more. More output needs more input. Doesn't mean anyone is entitled.. It's simple math.
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Jake Wheeler 3 years ago
I'm not sure if you are as oppressed as the others in this thread. Perhaps a 30 dollar limit on your consumption, then you pay the excess?
Janet Graham 3 years ago
My husband had a physically hard job when he was in his early 20s. He would put away 5 full meals a day just to maintain. I would gain weight just watching him eat.
Robert Huey 3 years ago
Had an example of this being done the right way. Employee leaving. Happy hour/apps/shared plates,. 40-some people come/go over hours and of course, not nearly enough money has been left... Just about the time we are realizing we have like a $2,500 bill, $200 on the table, and six or seven people left, the management team shows up, post late meetings. The top guy tells one of his managers to use his company card to pay the bill and he'll approve it. That place was leadership defined. And the employee leaving?: a college intern working as an admin; The only reason that matters is that it shows they treated everybody properly.
Skylar Jaxx 3 years ago
They could do half and half they admit they eat a ton. Get a meal the boss will pay for them get something extra on the side you pay for.
People think bosses who do this need a reality check
What do you think ?
NobodyInParticular 3 years ago
Here's one for you...Early in my career, I worked for a manufacturing company as an engineering tech, and a company whose software we used was having an instructional seminar a couple of states away and my boss thought I should attend. So, I asked them, "How's all of this getting paid for? Is it on the company or what?" The boss says "Oh, you can just put it on your credit card, file an expense report, and we'll reimburse you." I fell out laughing, and said "Credit card?! I don't have a credit card. Can't afford it on what you pay me, and I'm not sure I trust you guys to reimburse me ..." They ended up having to book the hotel room in advance with an executive's company card, pay for train tickets ahead of time, and send me there with about $500 cash in my pocket to cover any unforeseen expenses, with the agreement that when I returned I would hand over the remaining cash along with receipts for any of their cash that I had spent.
Lion Whackett 3 years ago
Were you employed there very long? I don't know about techs, but your approach absolutely would not have worked for sales people in the consumer electronics industry.
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Fat Harry 3 years ago
I have a similar, but opposite experience. A co-worker was leaving to emigrate to the US with his American wife and he suggested that on his last day we all go out for lunch. We had a good team rapport and so we took an extended lunch and went to a nice restaurant, all expecting to pay our share. When the bill comes the co-worker says "I've got this" and pays the £200+ bill out of his own pocket. Really nice guy.
Bush Ar 3 years ago
Now imagine a co-worker who offers to pay the bill, doesn't show us the bill, tells everyone a ridiculous amount to pay them back and hurriedly leaves the restaurant. That's what happened at one of our farewells.
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K Witmer 3 years ago
My daughters first job at a pet store pulled this stuff on her a high school student. They'd make them clock out to go to these seminars that they had to drive 30 mins to get to and then make them pay for the coffee and donuts. She made 75$ a week if she was "lucky". I had to call her manager bc missing school for that s**t was insane. The entitlement of the owners was so gross. Millionaires trying to scare a 16 yr old into missing school. I called the labor board they were fined for keeping the kids that worked for them pass 7pm. Told her to quit.
The Starsong Princess 3 years ago
When I went out with the team, I was always clear - this is a company sponsored event, meaning it was expensed, it was my treat, meaning I was paying out of my own pocket or it was pay your own way. None were mandatory. I did have the expectation that if I or the company were paying, they ordered modestly. And by modestly, you don’t order steak and lobster or a second to go dinner for you to take home to your husband. And yes, people did try that.
madbakes 3 years ago
I was the same, but the company rarely paid. I would treat because they were underpaid and hard workers.
Load More Replies... Tarryn Louise 3 years ago
Not work related, but school. My son and all his classmates were told at the start of the school year that the students who behaved well enough in class and did all their homework all year would be entitled to attend a end of year class pizza party. This teacher hyped them up all year long. My son done so well in school that year he was made student counsellor for the next year at the awards ceremony. When he asked the teacher about the pizza party for the class after the ceremony, asking to know what day it will happen... she said "what pizza party" and walked off. I sent her an email and told her how disgusted I was that she blatantly lied to the kids all year and cc'd the principal in the email. Nothing came of it, I have no clue if anything was said to the teacher. Lying to kids is just s**t.
David Martin 3 years ago
Admittedly not the same, because the owner did pay, but this was a sign of cheapness at my job. Once a month, the owner Paul would reward each shift with two large pizzas. The thing was, he never asked what we wanted, it was always one pepperoni, one Hawaiian. Literally NONE of the employees liked Hawaiian pizza, and it was widely known every shift had asked at least once to just get two pepperoni. Nope. Because Paul himself loved Hawaiian, so the next morning he'd come in, find three untouched pizzas, and decide to take them home, "Since nobody wants them." Eventually it became standard for me to take both graveyard shift pizzas with me in the morning (my coworkers weren't pizza people, they didn't eat any and let me have it all), and to throw out an entire, untouched, pineapple pizza in a dumpster a half a block away. Because screw that, Paul
James016 3 years ago
Yesterday I made the trip to the office as our CIO was coming in for the first time to our new office. She has been dealing with cancer so she was finally well enough to come in. The co-CEO was also in, he gave her his company card and said to get the department lunch as a thank you for all the work we have done. It was a nice gesture.
Nijlenna Rusty 3 years ago
I've got one too... Sometimes when the whole team needs to work overtime to make sure a crisis at work is averted, the boss give us a 'pizzanight'. It basically means we work a 4 hours extra that day as a team and the boss makes sure we get dinner, like pizza or Chinese food or something like that cheap kind of meals. After about a week of making those overtime hours (yes, big crisis) the boss gave us a bill of all the food we ate that week and asked us to pay up. Worst thing ever was the overtime (that week about 20 hours) was unpaid! Safe to say, I left that company afterwards.
NobodyInParticular 3 years ago
Here's one for you...Early in my career, I worked for a manufacturing company as an engineering tech, and a company whose software we used was having an instructional seminar a couple of states away and my boss thought I should attend. So, I asked them, "How's all of this getting paid for? Is it on the company or what?" The boss says "Oh, you can just put it on your credit card, file an expense report, and we'll reimburse you." I fell out laughing, and said "Credit card?! I don't have a credit card. Can't afford it on what you pay me, and I'm not sure I trust you guys to reimburse me ..." They ended up having to book the hotel room in advance with an executive's company card, pay for train tickets ahead of time, and send me there with about $500 cash in my pocket to cover any unforeseen expenses, with the agreement that when I returned I would hand over the remaining cash along with receipts for any of their cash that I had spent.
Lion Whackett 3 years ago
Were you employed there very long? I don't know about techs, but your approach absolutely would not have worked for sales people in the consumer electronics industry.
Load More Replies... Fat Harry 3 years ago
I have a similar, but opposite experience. A co-worker was leaving to emigrate to the US with his American wife and he suggested that on his last day we all go out for lunch. We had a good team rapport and so we took an extended lunch and went to a nice restaurant, all expecting to pay our share. When the bill comes the co-worker says "I've got this" and pays the £200+ bill out of his own pocket. Really nice guy.
Bush Ar 3 years ago
Now imagine a co-worker who offers to pay the bill, doesn't show us the bill, tells everyone a ridiculous amount to pay them back and hurriedly leaves the restaurant. That's what happened at one of our farewells.
Load More Replies... K Witmer 3 years ago
My daughters first job at a pet store pulled this stuff on her a high school student. They'd make them clock out to go to these seminars that they had to drive 30 mins to get to and then make them pay for the coffee and donuts. She made 75$ a week if she was "lucky". I had to call her manager bc missing school for that s**t was insane. The entitlement of the owners was so gross. Millionaires trying to scare a 16 yr old into missing school. I called the labor board they were fined for keeping the kids that worked for them pass 7pm. Told her to quit.
The Starsong Princess 3 years ago
When I went out with the team, I was always clear - this is a company sponsored event, meaning it was expensed, it was my treat, meaning I was paying out of my own pocket or it was pay your own way. None were mandatory. I did have the expectation that if I or the company were paying, they ordered modestly. And by modestly, you don’t order steak and lobster or a second to go dinner for you to take home to your husband. And yes, people did try that.
madbakes 3 years ago
I was the same, but the company rarely paid. I would treat because they were underpaid and hard workers.
Load More Replies... Tarryn Louise 3 years ago
Not work related, but school. My son and all his classmates were told at the start of the school year that the students who behaved well enough in class and did all their homework all year would be entitled to attend a end of year class pizza party. This teacher hyped them up all year long. My son done so well in school that year he was made student counsellor for the next year at the awards ceremony. When he asked the teacher about the pizza party for the class after the ceremony, asking to know what day it will happen... she said "what pizza party" and walked off. I sent her an email and told her how disgusted I was that she blatantly lied to the kids all year and cc'd the principal in the email. Nothing came of it, I have no clue if anything was said to the teacher. Lying to kids is just s**t.
David Martin 3 years ago
Admittedly not the same, because the owner did pay, but this was a sign of cheapness at my job. Once a month, the owner Paul would reward each shift with two large pizzas. The thing was, he never asked what we wanted, it was always one pepperoni, one Hawaiian. Literally NONE of the employees liked Hawaiian pizza, and it was widely known every shift had asked at least once to just get two pepperoni. Nope. Because Paul himself loved Hawaiian, so the next morning he'd come in, find three untouched pizzas, and decide to take them home, "Since nobody wants them." Eventually it became standard for me to take both graveyard shift pizzas with me in the morning (my coworkers weren't pizza people, they didn't eat any and let me have it all), and to throw out an entire, untouched, pineapple pizza in a dumpster a half a block away. Because screw that, Paul
James016 3 years ago
Yesterday I made the trip to the office as our CIO was coming in for the first time to our new office. She has been dealing with cancer so she was finally well enough to come in. The co-CEO was also in, he gave her his company card and said to get the department lunch as a thank you for all the work we have done. It was a nice gesture.
Nijlenna Rusty 3 years ago
I've got one too... Sometimes when the whole team needs to work overtime to make sure a crisis at work is averted, the boss give us a 'pizzanight'. It basically means we work a 4 hours extra that day as a team and the boss makes sure we get dinner, like pizza or Chinese food or something like that cheap kind of meals. After about a week of making those overtime hours (yes, big crisis) the boss gave us a bill of all the food we ate that week and asked us to pay up. Worst thing ever was the overtime (that week about 20 hours) was unpaid! Safe to say, I left that company afterwards.
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