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14 Employees Left Speechless After Being Asked To Pay For Their Boss’ Christmas Present
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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#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.
SuperChicken 4 years ago
$30 contribution per employee? WTH? Boy, talk about sucking up to the docs. So happy that your wife didn't cave in. Bravo!
Denise Melek 4 years ago (edited)
Wtf, we collect 3-5 € each if someone in our team gets a present. A colleague i absolutely didnt like was supposed to get a present because she had a baby ( i really didnt care) and my teamleader collected money and said the others had donated about 15€. I gave him 3€. And quit anyway.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Oh no! The rich asshole won't see my name on a card that he's not going to read or acknowledge anyways? Good for her for not doing it!
Emma Starr 4 years ago
I'm a manager and imo employees shouldn't ever feel obligated to buy gifts, support a kids boy scout troop, etc. Pressure anyone, especially someone on an hourly salary, is just evil.
Charlie Phillips 4 years ago
A donation in your name has been made to The Human Fund, money for people
Iain Glencross 4 years ago
At my surgery (US=doctor’s office ) I gave a Christmas bonus of a week’s wages, and certainly didn’t expect a present. A card signed by them all was appreciated.
Joann Casey 4 years ago
I work in a suite of operating theatres (OR) our surgeons buy the nurses and other staff a gift just a nice bottle of wine each nothing too fancy, at Christmas as they make 2.5 to 6 times as much money as us and they do it to show their appreciation for our hard work, this is the way gifting should go.
Alisa Soliday 4 years ago
I had the same thing happen at a pt dental office job. I was guilt tripped in to paying. Wish I had been able to stand my ground too.
8Yorkies-and-63cats 4 years ago
Guilt tripping someone is an awful thing to do, and compounded by peer pressure, it can be overwhelming. Don't beat yourself up...
Load More Replies...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.
RELATED:
#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.
KJ 4 years ago
It's amazing how clueless some folks are about the value of $20 to people that live pay check to pay check.
Vasana Phong 4 years ago
Exactly, wonder if they ever know how it feels to make that $20 stretch a whole week
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Zaza 4 years ago (edited)
In The Netherlands people usually get a gift from the company, not the other way around. Even temps and most volunteers too. It's customary for staff to receive a box of goodies around the holidays, filled with fancy snacks and drinks and often some things like pretty glassware or candle holders etc. Contents depending on the company of course, but I've never seen one that had less than €50 worth of food and things in it, even from small companies and temp agencies. It's not mandatory, but the companies and agencies who don't give them out are very rare
Lillukka79 4 years ago
Same in Finland. This year everybody will get a bottle of red wine, a box of chocolates and a cheese plater. Easy way to keep the workers happy.
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Lara Verne 4 years ago
And your CEO probably won't treat you any better even if you give them nice gift.
Tamra Stiffler 4 years ago
Gifts should be something given from the heart, because that person WANTS to do so. Actively campaigning for money to get a boss a gift is just... misplaced, at best.
Rick Hoppenbrouwer 4 years ago
My response would be " Go f**k yourself" And it would be said in person.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Are they also buying presents of an equal value for me? I didn't think so.
Barbara L Bristow 4 years ago
When this happened to me, I said NO. None of us liked the boss lady, thought she was an absolute bitch, and you want me to contribute to her xmas present ? NOPE
Billy Maguire 3 years ago
My employers give every employee (around 300 people) a $100 gift card at Christmas, plus a free lunch .
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.
Ben Moss 4 years ago
I can tell that every one of these stories probably comes from the United States. I can’t wait to watch capitalism f*****g die
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I live in the US, and I’m with you all the way—-in fact, I’ve been waiting for capitalism to just f*****g die already for 40 years, starting with Reagan’s “trickle down” bullshit when I was about 20.
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Rick Hoppenbrouwer 4 years ago
Good for you. From the sound of it no matter how much time this woman spends it a spa will not help to make her a beautiful person.
SomePeopleCallMeMaurice 3 years ago
I didn’t think people gave gifts to their supervisors. Last time I worked in the US, it just wasn’t done. I know this because I did it, and it was frowned upon. Greatly.
#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) 4 years ago
I agree, you all don't need to buy them presents...that should be the other way around.
Tamra Stiffler 4 years ago
It seems like bullshit, because it IS bullshit. What is sensible about the lowest paid employees giving up money to buy a gift for the highest paid people? Nothing, that's what.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
This kind of pressure from supervisors should be illegal. It's one thing if you want to organize something unofficially and have it be entirely voluntary but to send it out, via work email, to subordinates with language that implies they're expected to pay up is just downright ridiculous and honestly? It's pretty f*****g cruel, too, considering the situation. These people have no shame, do they?!
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
Why are people giving gifts to their superiors? It js the other way around
Sheila Stamey 4 years ago
Here's a great idea!! When you see one of these deals, take a few bucks, whatever you can afford, go to the local dollar tree and buy some body wash or coloring books etc. Drop it off at your nearest medicaid nursing home, preferably, assisted Living. Make a note, saying what you've done, and hey, you've actually done some good and you've done a donation in there name. Might be the only one ever.
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 4 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!
Alan LeMire 4 years ago
At least for this one it's just donation if you want to and it doesn't say how much they want you to contribute if you do
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Wonder what the admin is going to do when nobody contributes even a penny?
Carly Weber 4 years ago
Holy s**t. I don't even buy family members 500 dollar gifts let alone a boss.
Nikki Sevven 4 years ago
This is horrible. Unless you've been to his house, and he's been to yours, your employer is not your friend, and he's certainly not family, therefore he's not entitled to a birthday gift.
#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 4 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
H.L.Lewis 3 years ago
Something you may not know. And the limit may have changed at this point...but up to a certain amount, say $25, ( this is from 20 yers ago) , gifts to employees are tax deductible!. I know this because my Dad was a business owner. He always spent way more than was deductible, because he valued his employees.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Do you think posting this same stupid thing on every single entry means anything? You just look like an asshole 🙄
Load More Replies...You should really think twice before agreeing to get your higher-up a gift. According to one survey, 31 percent of people said that they would give their boss a gift if they received one in return. "But of those, 11 percent said they would be expecting a raise in return," NBC News wrote. "That kind of thinking is what gets workers who give a present to their managers in trouble."
#7
Everyone at my work is going to throw in 40$ 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.
Lara Verne 4 years ago
I don't know what owner needs that machine for, but if they want it so badly, they could already buy it. Hell, they could buy ten.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
If he wants it so bad let him buy it! He shouldn't be expecting his employees to f*****g subsidize his birthday for him and no one else should be pressuring you or anyone else to contribute.
Dennis Heckart 3 years ago
We live in development with golf, tennis, pools, gym, fine and casual dining. The management company ask for donations for bonuses for employees. I told them I couldn't because I was donating to the request from McDonald's for their employees.....
Nazda Pokmov 4 years ago
Sounds like he's too cheap to hire an excavating company to do his job, too.....
Carly Weber 4 years ago
WTF! They want to buy the boss something that is used in the business? That's his expense.
#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 4 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
Nicole Trombly 4 years ago
*Must HAVE…..sorry, just drives me crazy that people think the phrase is “must of”
Carly Weber 4 years ago
That's just inappropriate. How well do you actually know your boss that your giving them an expensive present. I don't think any boss expects Christmas gifts from their employees. If I was the boss, I would be embarrassed to receive such an expensive gift. At one job, I literally saw the owner once a year at the Christmas party.
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.
Angela Birkhead-Flight 4 years ago
It's ok if they talk. The actual etiquette, if you check that out, is that the boss is supposed to get the workers gifts, not the other way around. I don't know when this started turning around, but it's sort of like bribing your boss and should be discouraged. I used to really worry about what I was getting my boss, then my mother told me to check the etiquette and I was surprised. I got an inexpensive Christmas ornament for everyone in the office, including my boss, and think that is more along the right lines.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Ding ding ding! Where the hell did this "we've all gotta chip in to buy the boss a present" crap come from? It's astounding how many people feel pressured to go along with it, too 🤦🏻♀️
Load More Replies... ShriSha Kamboj 4 years ago
they talk..they talk......u keep that money n duct tape their talk-mouth
Tara Stites 3 years ago
Tell them it's a hard no and explain why. Maybe they'll see the light, too.
Sheila Stamey 4 years ago
I'll crochet them something and you can buy it. Ugly or useful, your call.
#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 4 years ago
so many times...people r pressurized to give a gift...hello? it's a gift...it shudn't punish me
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Same with chipping in to buy everybody a cake or small present on their birthday. I’m not working to give everybody I work with—-most of whom I either don’t know or don’t like—-a birthday gift? Hell, all the f*****g cake that companies used to buy for birthdays back in the nineties got to be too much. Once in a great while, and for something really special, it’s a treat. When it’s every f*****g week, and I have to cough up my own hard-earned money for it, it becomes both a chore and an added expense that I just don’t want or need. I’m not working to give the company back any portion of the inadequate salary they paid me.
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Brent Kaufman 3 years ago
I would like to read more about the aftermath of the employees' decision not to contribute.
Vasana Phong 4 years ago
If the supervisor/office manager is very nice, as far as being in our side, filling in as needed when we are short, ect ect, then we’ll chip in to get him/her something, because they deserve it, but an owner???
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
🤦🏻♀️ Whose idea was this? Do yourselves a favor and get "the office" a gift instead; I promise it'll make a much bigger difference to those of you who work there than any gift you could possibly give the boss (who can absolutely afford their own stuff and should be buying their EMPLOYEES gifts instead!)
#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.
Charlie Phillips 4 years ago
I sure bet the CEO believes in raising prices to match, if not out-pace, inflation. It's a common and understandable fact that prices and wages should naturally rise with inflation. If and only if the company sticks to consistent prices without change, I could maybe understand it, but they would have to know their competition will gladly steal good employees and pay a measly 3% annual raise to maintain the best talent. Practically every revenue-generating company raises prices annually, but only a portion of them give a COLA to match the increased gains.
Katinka Min 4 years ago
The CEO doesn't believe in COLAS?? Someone is actually a big enough asshole to say something like that?
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Well then tell em you're a Jehovah's Witness and you don't believe in holidays or exchanging gifts *wanking motion* What an entitled fuckwad that CEO sounds like 🤦🏻♀️
#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 4 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.
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
So they decide to “bring back” the Company Christmas Party, but want other companies to pay for it—-then pay them back by volunteering their own employees to do extra work, and without the consent of those employees, to boot. What TF did they expect other companies to think when they send s**t like this out, that makes it sound like their company is too poor to pay for a party? Unless they’re cut from the same shitty cloth, I will wager good money the other companies will be rethinking doing business with them in the upcoming new year.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Pitch in and help subsidize our company party! (No, WE wouldn't ever actually pay for it ourselves 🤣) And come get COVID at our "old school" indoor gathering where we'll share food and drinks from the same container! (Oh, and don't worry - no masks required!)
ShriSha Kamboj 4 years ago
staff as in everyone right?? if it included everyone then ig it ain't such big of a deal...then again only if u want to participate
Bobby 4 years ago
This one is pretty normal in my experience. These requests usually come before contract renegotiations between businesses to "sweeten the deal" so to speak
Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
“There are, it has been said, two types of people in the world. There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass! Who's been pinching my beer? And at the other end of the bar the world is full of the other type of person, who has a broken glass, or a glass that has been carelessly knocked over (usually by one of the people calling for a larger glass) or who had no glass at all, because he was at the back of the crowd and had failed to catch the barman's eye. ” ― Terry Pratchett, The Truth
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Tamra Stiffler 4 years ago
I'm glad you seem to have a good job, and that you got a Christmas bonus. Seems like a good company.
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#13
Today is a "holiday" where employees are expected to give gifts and thank their bosses.
ShriSha Kamboj 4 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"
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
I thank you by doing the work you ask me to. You thank me by paying me for that work. It’s unreasonable for you to require me to buy you a gift. Company gift-giving is supposed to go from the top down who can afford it, not the bottom up who can’t.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
What a condescending thing to say..."thank the people who sign your checks" 🙄 No, how about they thank ME for working hard enough that they can spend the day relaxing while I bust my ass to turn a profit for them?! How about they show some gratitude and pay people not just a liveable wage but a THRIVING one?!
btaglln 4 years ago
It must really be an American thing to hate your boss... I really appreciate mine and learn a lot of thing with him
Brent Kaufman 3 years ago
What a stupid condescending comment; as if all the bosses in your country are equally beneficent without bad bosses.
Load More Replies... H.L.Lewis 3 years ago
Had a coworker once who every bosses day, or secretaries day had to get a card for everyone to sign for the department supervisor. When the office manager retired, she was Never promoted to manager, (because she was an idiot), so she wasn't a secretary either. There were only 4 of us , including her, in the department.. I hated the coworkers brown- nosing constantly...I know my other co worker did too.
Craig Reynolds 4 years ago
Umm, no! How about you instead remember the people that bust their butt so that you have a profitable company that enable you to write those checks?
#14
They are asking for contributions to pay the support staff Christmas bonus (I don’t even get a bonus).
Kathryn Sharratt 4 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.
Martha Meyer 4 years ago
It's still kind of weird, considering the university could easily afford to do that themselves, but instead asks for money from employees who don't get a Christmas bonus themselves.
Load More Replies... Two_rolling_black_eyes 4 years ago
This is asking for money to help those that make less than you, you depend on them to complete you duties, and you have power over. A college professor (AKA professional) can get the cleaning crew who sanitizes his lab every night fired but that cleaning crew can't get him fired for leaving it a health hazard they clean up every day. In a just society, you are supposed to help raise up those who are less fortunate than you. Forcing someone to spend money on their boss or someone they are financially dependent on is a kickback bribe. You must spend the money you only get at my whim to stay in my graces. If its illegal for the company to require it from their vendors, it should be illegal to require it of their employees.
Joe Edwards 3 years ago
This one is the rich complaining that they have to give the support staff a bonus
Mare Freed 3 years ago
This one doesn't belong here. I worked 8 years at a university where we support staffers were treated like garbage. The university wouldn't have given us so much as a toothpick for Christmas, so it's nice to see these professional staffers trying to do something nice.
Members of the r/Antiwork subreddit backed up the people who refuse to buy gifts for their bosses
What do you think ?
Kitty Jordan 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 years ago
That's the way it should be, not the other way around.
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Mystery Egg 4 years ago
I worked for a company once that did this. I was so broke in those days and had a budget of €10 each for presents for family members and was asked to contribute €20 for the boss. I couldn't even afford the bus and had to walk an hour to work every morning whilst he had a top of the range Merc. I was made to feel like it wasn't really a choice. Then we all had to gather in the board room and watch him open all his presents. It was horrible. I wish I had more confidence in those days to say no. I certainly do now.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Oh my god, that's so f*****g cruel of them. I have to assume they did not provide Christmas bonuses or buy gifts for any of the employees, too, correct? (*And even if they did, so what? A bonus doesn't entitle the giver to a gift)...How big of a POS do you have to be to expect gifts from your employees and then actually make those same people WATCH as you open them? That's some serious narcissistic, extortionist s**t. I'm so sorry you ever had to endure that indignity 🫂 And I hope this Christmas is a happy one for you and yours 🍻
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janel jones 4 years ago
Do they really have no clue how ridiculous it is to ask people not even making half of their salary for money?! I'm super grateful for the extra 400 dollar Christmas bonus we got this year on top of our 100 dollar gift card and voucher to use restaurants on the property. on top of that my office within the company gave me 100 dollars and goodies for my kids. usually they give me a 50 dollar Amazon card which is very nice too. nothing like google though who I heard got a 1600 bonus. But I'm happy with mine!
laura edwards 4 years ago
Can also reply, Gee Jan, should I get my own kid new shoes, or should I get the boss a new grill?
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Jerry Mathers 4 years ago
Work hitting up their employees for a donation is flat out nonsense. Presents for the boss sound like a suck up move (unless you were fortunate enough to have one of those CEOs that took a monster pay cut to pay all the employees a decent salary). I've had the "donate to our charity" crap pulled on me. 1) I'm a big boy. I'll pick my charity myself and 2) I always feel like they are hitting me so they get the write off although I could be wrong about that. Bottom line nobody should feel pressured to donate to anything at work. And unless it's for someone I know personally, I'm saying no on principle. Just remember that if you do donate, that will encourage whatever brown moser that is putting these together to do it again.
Ivana 4 years ago
Didn't know this was a thing but it could be because I work for the state so doing this is actually against the HR policy since a boss accepting a gift of any sort could cause a bias or favoritism. We do gift exchanges for anyone who would like to participate, and normally the gift exchange is a $10 max and it is holiday related. Other gift exchange we often do is Secrete Santa but you buy a toy you think the person would have loved as a child. We all open them up and it is cute getting things childhood you would love, then we take them all and donate them to the children's hospital across the street.
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
Yes same jn my public institution. It can be considered a bribe
Load More Replies... SuperChicken 4 years ago (edited)
Shouldn't the company give the employees presents, or better yet - bonuses? I don't understand why these stupid Manager(s)/Supervisor(s), etc. demand a ridiculous amount for contribution from the employees? If the Manager(s)/Supervisor(s) want to give the big honcho a present, why can't they buy it themselves?
Just saying 4 years ago (edited)
Does the boss know that donations are being extorted, or does he genuinely think his employees are getting him the present out of the kindness of their hearts? Does he get home in the evening and say 'Gee Betty, my workers sure do love me, I must be a great boss right?'. Assuming this is in the US.
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
Usually it is a kiss ass emplyee or business partner who organises it and glosses over and says everyone wanted to give you something and chip in
Load More Replies... Kitty Jordan 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 years ago
That's the way it should be, not the other way around.
Load More Replies... Mystery Egg 4 years ago
I worked for a company once that did this. I was so broke in those days and had a budget of €10 each for presents for family members and was asked to contribute €20 for the boss. I couldn't even afford the bus and had to walk an hour to work every morning whilst he had a top of the range Merc. I was made to feel like it wasn't really a choice. Then we all had to gather in the board room and watch him open all his presents. It was horrible. I wish I had more confidence in those days to say no. I certainly do now.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Oh my god, that's so f*****g cruel of them. I have to assume they did not provide Christmas bonuses or buy gifts for any of the employees, too, correct? (*And even if they did, so what? A bonus doesn't entitle the giver to a gift)...How big of a POS do you have to be to expect gifts from your employees and then actually make those same people WATCH as you open them? That's some serious narcissistic, extortionist s**t. I'm so sorry you ever had to endure that indignity 🫂 And I hope this Christmas is a happy one for you and yours 🍻
Load More Replies... janel jones 4 years ago
Do they really have no clue how ridiculous it is to ask people not even making half of their salary for money?! I'm super grateful for the extra 400 dollar Christmas bonus we got this year on top of our 100 dollar gift card and voucher to use restaurants on the property. on top of that my office within the company gave me 100 dollars and goodies for my kids. usually they give me a 50 dollar Amazon card which is very nice too. nothing like google though who I heard got a 1600 bonus. But I'm happy with mine!
laura edwards 4 years ago
Can also reply, Gee Jan, should I get my own kid new shoes, or should I get the boss a new grill?
Load More Replies... Jerry Mathers 4 years ago
Work hitting up their employees for a donation is flat out nonsense. Presents for the boss sound like a suck up move (unless you were fortunate enough to have one of those CEOs that took a monster pay cut to pay all the employees a decent salary). I've had the "donate to our charity" crap pulled on me. 1) I'm a big boy. I'll pick my charity myself and 2) I always feel like they are hitting me so they get the write off although I could be wrong about that. Bottom line nobody should feel pressured to donate to anything at work. And unless it's for someone I know personally, I'm saying no on principle. Just remember that if you do donate, that will encourage whatever brown moser that is putting these together to do it again.
Ivana 4 years ago
Didn't know this was a thing but it could be because I work for the state so doing this is actually against the HR policy since a boss accepting a gift of any sort could cause a bias or favoritism. We do gift exchanges for anyone who would like to participate, and normally the gift exchange is a $10 max and it is holiday related. Other gift exchange we often do is Secrete Santa but you buy a toy you think the person would have loved as a child. We all open them up and it is cute getting things childhood you would love, then we take them all and donate them to the children's hospital across the street.
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
Yes same jn my public institution. It can be considered a bribe
Load More Replies... SuperChicken 4 years ago (edited)
Shouldn't the company give the employees presents, or better yet - bonuses? I don't understand why these stupid Manager(s)/Supervisor(s), etc. demand a ridiculous amount for contribution from the employees? If the Manager(s)/Supervisor(s) want to give the big honcho a present, why can't they buy it themselves?
Just saying 4 years ago (edited)
Does the boss know that donations are being extorted, or does he genuinely think his employees are getting him the present out of the kindness of their hearts? Does he get home in the evening and say 'Gee Betty, my workers sure do love me, I must be a great boss right?'. Assuming this is in the US.
Frannie Kaplan 3 years ago
Usually it is a kiss ass emplyee or business partner who organises it and glosses over and says everyone wanted to give you something and chip in
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