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Holiday gift-giving is something many people enjoy doing. However, when it comes to the workplace and presents for the head of the company, it can get tricky. There are quite a few factors you need to consider: the relationship you have with them, your income, whether you feel appreciated or not... the list goes on.
Unfortunately, many employees end up being pushed into chipping in for the CEO's or company owner's gift and sometimes don’t know how to refuse. Some feel annoyed since they make several times less than their rich bosses, others fear that declining might affect their work relations. Whatever the reason, a few people took it upon themselves to share their experience on Reddit, sparking a very relevant discussion on the page.
Scroll down and check out some of the stories Bored Panda picked out from this page. If you have a similar experience yourself, make sure to share it with us in the comments below.
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#1
This is so frustrating. My wife works for a doctors office. Her supervisor, the office manager, is organizing this collective gift for the doctors. My wife is front desk. Her and her coworkers make around $15/hour. The supervisor wants everybody to contribute $30. That’s two full hours of work. My wife wants to keep her job, and her $30 but doesn’t know how to get out of it without looking bad.
And I just know the supervisor is organizing this to suck up to the doctors and take credit for organizing this gift for them.
She’s probably going to end up having to give the $30, but I just needed to vent about it.
I should mention, she gets no Christmas bonus, she’s part time, and her job doesn’t offer benefits. Only managers and supervisors are entitled to healthcare benefits
**UPDATE: After showing her this thread, she decided not to give the money. She just told her supervisor that it wasn’t in her budget as there isn’t enough left over from her paycheck to contribute with her own personal holiday shopping she needs to take care of. Her supervisor sounded disappointed and said something like “Alright we’ll just leave your name of the gift”. My wife said “Sounds good, thanks!”. I’m so proud of her. No telling how that affects her relationship with the supervisor. But she wasn’t trying to move up there anyway. She’s just working there to make a couple extra bucks for a few months until she goes back to school.
One user, Purepk509, posted in the r/Antiwork online community about an email where they were asked to pitch in on buying the owner of the company a $900 gift for Christmas. We reached out to the user to talk a bit more about how this issue affects their work-life.
When employees are being asked to pay for their boss' Christmas present while earning way less, it just seems wrong. And the user agrees: "I feel it's a common trend that has been around for years that needs to go away. It's a mindset that people near the bottom of the totem pole need to appease the higher-ups."
Although, if you have doubts about pitching in, it may be hard to refuse the request. More often than not, it affects the relationship you have with colleagues who agree to contribute. The user mentioned that co-workers often try to push you into doing it, even if you do not feel comfortable.
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#2
I just f*cking can't. That money is going to my kids, not to the fat cats at the top who make at least 5x what I make on any given month.
Buy your own damn presents.
In the post, Purepk509 wrote that "everyone at my work is going to throw in $40 but I can't bring myself to spend even a penny on this guy." You should be able to stand your ground and choose for yourself if you want to chip in or not without feeling guilty about it. Unfortunately, the user told us that the decision they made raised some tension between them and other employees.
"I had one co-worker specifically tell me it was flat out rude I didn't donate," they told us. "The crazy thing is since I didn't donate towards the gift, the rest of my coworkers had to bump up how much they were putting towards the gift. So they inevitably had to put $70 towards the item for our boss."
#3
I was 20 years old working at a 2 month long sleep over summer camp for kids aged 8-13 or so. I was one of the head staff, but a junior head staff. My job was to make the daily schedule for several hundred kids and ~60 staff for 6 periods every day in addition to teaching archery lessons for the first half of the day. The camp is a non-profit, and only paid me about $2500 before taxes and only had 3 days off, and 3 evenings off. The camp was in the middle of nowhere so the staff lived on site too.
On the last day, as I was about to leave the camp for good, I was approached by one of the more senior head staff about contributing $20 to a gift (spa day) for the director of the camp. This was the director who had given a closing speech to the entire camp the night prior. In that speech, she went through each of the head staff one by one (except me of course) thanking them for their hard work. My decision was already made for me, I had no intention of coming back the next year and I was still pissed about being forgotten.
My response: "Why would I bother giving up any of my tiny pay check to pay for my boss to go to a spa when she doesn't even remember I exist. I've literally spent 2 months working late into the night, in an office meters away from the directors desk, doing a job that no one else here knows how to do. This place would have burned to the ground without me and I am literally forgettable to her." I left without contributing anything to her spa day.
#4
I'm a receptionist in a doctor's office at a hospital. Not a terrible job, but it's more so a holdover while I work toward other goals. It pays $15/hr which I guess is to be expected for this kind of job in Kentucky. Recently I received this email from our manager:
"It's time to collect money for buying the four doctors in our office a gift card for their Christmas gift from us. I'm asking for $25 from each of you all for these. Money due to me by Tuesday December 14. Thanks."
Not a big deal, but I mean, in the two years I've been here, we have never gotten a holiday bonus. At the last doctor's office I worked at, staff got a holiday bonus, which is pretty standard. I know for a fact the manager makes around 80k a year (she oversees more than one office & it's a big hospital) and the doctors are surgeons, so I can't imagine they make any less than 200k at a minimum, though I don't know their exact salaries. So why am I buying these people things? Especially with no holiday bonus. Seems like bullsh*t to me.
Just had to vent.
I just ignored the email. With or without a bonus I was never going to gift money to DOCTORS.
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
I agree, you all don't need to buy them presents...that should be the other way around.
This year, consumers in the United States are expected to spend approximately $886 on Christmas gifts on average, Statista reports. Alongside buying presents for your partner, children, parents, other family members and friends, thinking of whether or not you should pitch in to get something for your boss can make you feel stressed.
#5
How about he gets a $20 Target gift card and stale candy like the rest of us instead?
Tamra Stiffler 3 years ago
How about he just gets his employees to show up and work, like they do every day, to make his business successful? Problem solved, buddy - Merry Christmas!
#6
I am a salesperson at a company that is going to make $22 million this year. We're a decently small company in a major US city (about 40 office staff, with ~150-200 staff in the field). The company has done very well during the pandemic, although my department suffered a lot this summer. I singlehandedly worked my a*s off to keep certain operations running when my direct manager quit without notice. I spent my summer getting screamed at by angry clients and working 12-14 hour days with limited OT pay, all with none of my usual commission because the department was in such bad shape. The owner took multiple vacations during this time. While my department is back on its feet, and I'm able to pay my bills again, getting a message from our sales director about "everyone pitching in for [Owner's] holiday gift" just made me so angry. He owns a $6m house, multiple cars, and sends his kids to private school. What does he need us to chip in for a staycation at a 5-star hotel for?
ShriSha Kamboj 3 years ago
if it were the other way round....the company giving something small...like a box of chocolates or such....it'll barely cause a dent to d company but will make the employees feel seen n appreciated.....they might give a gift willingly too.........talking s**t abt d person then demanding a gift....a big nuhhh
You should really think twice before agreeing to get your higher-up a gift. According to one survey, 31 percent of people said that they would give their boss a gift if they received one in return. "But of those, 11 percent said they would be expecting a raise in return," NBC News wrote. "That kind of thinking is what gets workers who give a present to their managers in trouble."
#7
Everyone at my work is going to throw in 40$ but I can't bring myself to spend even a penny on this guy. I mean he hasn't done me any wrong but he's literally a multi millionaire. Should I just spend the 40 dollars? Everyone at work suddenly thinks I'm being a prick when I basically said this guy can kick rocks.
Just to clear some things up, the item they are wanting to buy my boss is a "ZIPLEVEL EZDepth for Excavators - EZD-30". I work at a company in Ohio with a sh*t ton of boomers. I also make 27.50 an hour. I am 29.
#8
I'm genuinely lost for words here. Our company is pretty big, our one group spans roughly 100 employees, and they sent a mass email out to all of us, or what I assume is all of us. (I didn't go and ask every 100+ people, but several different groups within the 100 got this email, so I'm mostly just assuming).
It's just absurd, we tried to figure out what they were trying to get him, and we all had decided that it must of been a new Mustang from how much they were expecting to get. This actually prompted us to do our own secret santa instead. F*ck that guy, we deserve presents more than him.
ShriSha Kamboj 3 years ago
so like contribute money from UR own money to a person u barely know so that ur supervisor can take the credit? sus...I'll pass
Purepk509 wanted to remind you that in this day and age, you never gift up, you always gift down. The whole purpose of gift-giving is to honor an existing relationship, not doing it because you feel obliged or pushed into it by others. Even if you like and respect your boss, getting a present for them can become too expensive for you, which in turn will impact your well-being.
#9
My bosses, that drive matching Mercedes and make 100x more than I make a year (literally) need a Christmas present. Everybody complains about being underpaid, I don’t see how anyone in their right mind would even think to do that but we only have 5 employees so if I say no I know they’ll talk.
#10
Some co-workers thought that it would be a good idea to chip in and buy the boss some airpods. This is the stupidest idea ever. That manager makes more than enough to buy their own Airpods. I gladly said no.
ShriSha Kamboj 3 years ago
so many times...people r pressurized to give a gift...hello? it's a gift...it shudn't punish me
#11
Every year our team pitches in some cash for a Christmas gift for the boss (ends up being about 200-300 bucks between 8-10 people). He makes well over 200k a year while most of the people on our team haven’t gotten raises in decades. Whenever we mention the need for at least a COLA, we’re met with “that’s out of my control” or “the CEO doesn’t believe in COLAs”. (For reference I make just enough for rent, but I’m afraid next year when rent rises again I won’t be able to afford it). Just getting tired of being fed the same line, and then having to pretend I’m thankful for being hired and doing the job I exchange a percentage of my lifespan for.
#12
I just feel bad for anyone who works at this company! The business wants other businesses to pitch in for their staff Christmas party to happen!
Snorkeldorf 3 years ago (edited)
Because of COVID and the fact we were working remotely, we did not have a holiday party. Very small company but we always had a nice party. We thought that as the company saved money on the party, we would be sent an extra nice holiday gift as there had been no raises and or bonuses. In the past the holiday gift was always something small but thoughtful and greatly appreciated. Hopefully wished that maybe we would get emailed a gift card. We received nothing. Company was profitable. Earlier in the year we had all voluntarily chipped in to buy the owner a birthday gift and when their spouse lost one of their parents we again all chipped in to send a lovely gift basket. It was quite a slap in the face.
#13
Today is a "holiday" where employees are expected to give gifts and thank their bosses.
ShriSha Kamboj 3 years ago
"thank u so much for hiring me and overusing me when I am desperately in need of money......I cant thank u enough.....and also the few days off when I can spend quality time....I am so delighted to give a piece of that money for ur gift"
#14
They are asking for contributions to pay the support staff Christmas bonus (I don’t even get a bonus).
Kathryn Sharratt 3 years ago
This isn't the same as the others - they are not being asked to put money towards gifts for people earning significantly more than they are, quite the opposite. Still not acceptable though.
Members of the r/Antiwork subreddit backed up the people who refuse to buy gifts for their bosses
What do you think ?
Kitty Jordan 3 years ago
As a boss: gifts flow downward. Always. I give all my employees gifts for the holidays, but they are NOT expected to reciprocate. When I have received presents in the past, I've usually tried to give them back by saying that it's a very kind gesture that I appreciate, but their hard work is more than enough for me, and I would prefer they give their gift to someone they feel could truly use it. I don't make a ton of money, but I make more than them, and I know what it's like to be in that position.
Caro Caro 3 years ago
Kitty, your response just made my day. I also was a boss-company owner. I have always made sure the employees did NOT buy me presents. It's true what you said: gifts flow downward. Bless you.
Load More Replies...
Pat Bond 3 years ago
Every company I've ever worked at, it's the boss who gives me a Christmas present every year, nothing ridiculous, a nice bottle of wine or two. They gave everyone who reported in to them this gift.
Martha Meyer 3 years ago
That's the way it should be, not the other way around.
Load More Replies...
Where’s The Shovel? 3 years ago
Is this an American thing? I've worked a lot of places in the Uk, and apart from the usual, birthday/pregnancy/leaving presents, I've never been asked to do anything like this, usually your team leader might pop a bottle of wine or box of chocolates to us at Christmas time to thank us for all our hard work. As a company (>400 staff), we have a Christmas raffle where our staff numbers are automatically entered and drawn, the prizes range from nice food hampers to a box of Maltesers, it's kinda nice to 'win' something tbh. I find myself looking forward to what I'm going to get, this year I got a small bottle of raspberry gin, so result!
Auntriarch 3 years ago (edited)
Exactly! The only time you get something for your boss is when you want to because they are over and above wonderful. A bit like tipping. Ah, I see a connection here....
Load More Replies...
Kitty Jordan 3 years ago
As a boss: gifts flow downward. Always. I give all my employees gifts for the holidays, but they are NOT expected to reciprocate. When I have received presents in the past, I've usually tried to give them back by saying that it's a very kind gesture that I appreciate, but their hard work is more than enough for me, and I would prefer they give their gift to someone they feel could truly use it. I don't make a ton of money, but I make more than them, and I know what it's like to be in that position.
Caro Caro 3 years ago
Kitty, your response just made my day. I also was a boss-company owner. I have always made sure the employees did NOT buy me presents. It's true what you said: gifts flow downward. Bless you.
Load More Replies... Pat Bond 3 years ago
Every company I've ever worked at, it's the boss who gives me a Christmas present every year, nothing ridiculous, a nice bottle of wine or two. They gave everyone who reported in to them this gift.
Martha Meyer 3 years ago
That's the way it should be, not the other way around.
Load More Replies... Where’s The Shovel? 3 years ago
Is this an American thing? I've worked a lot of places in the Uk, and apart from the usual, birthday/pregnancy/leaving presents, I've never been asked to do anything like this, usually your team leader might pop a bottle of wine or box of chocolates to us at Christmas time to thank us for all our hard work. As a company (>400 staff), we have a Christmas raffle where our staff numbers are automatically entered and drawn, the prizes range from nice food hampers to a box of Maltesers, it's kinda nice to 'win' something tbh. I find myself looking forward to what I'm going to get, this year I got a small bottle of raspberry gin, so result!
Auntriarch 3 years ago (edited)
Exactly! The only time you get something for your boss is when you want to because they are over and above wonderful. A bit like tipping. Ah, I see a connection here....
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