Expected Donation to Bosses Xmas Fund!!!!

SandC

I wouldn't even mention being skint/single parent etc., just say that you are not going to be contributing from now on. Watch the whole thing fizzle out then...

Bronnie

That's just plain daft and and any sensible boss would probably feel uncomfortable about this too.

Is the girl organising this after a promotion by any chance?

I do think a token gift is a nice gesture if you get on well with your boss, but that's something small and thoughtful and within your budget. Be brave and opt out this year. What do other staff think?

Your family is your priority as far as spare cash is concerned. That's why you go to work in the first place!

kazmc

Ahh thankyou all so much for your replies, it makes me feel better

The thing is they are such a lovely company to work for and are very good to me and always take my situation into account, ie if my daughter is ill they always pay me if I need to be off. And they do give us all a bonus in our November pay packet, £500ish takehome, and a cash bonus on Christmas Eve of approx £150 but to be honest thats part of my salary and I depend on it for Christmas pressies, dinner etc etc etc etc
I will feel awful accepting these bonuses now If I dont put into their collection
I would so hate to have people calling me 'mean'
But you are all right I have to say to the organisers that I'm 'out' this year and do my own thing. I was thinking maybe of making them all a nice cake to take home for Christmas??

gratefulforhelp_2

kaz you're right, bonuses are your salary. Do they share their salaries with you? If they're as nice as you say, they will appreciate a small home-made something much more.

ViolaLass

kazmc wrote: »

Ahh thankyou all so much for your replies, it makes me feel better

The thing is they are such a lovely company to work for and are very good to me and always take my situation into account, ie if my daughter is ill they always pay me if I need to be off. And they do give us all a bonus in our November pay packet, £500ish takehome, and a cash bonus on Christmas Eve of approx £150 but to be honest thats part of my salary and I depend on it for Christmas pressies, dinner etc etc etc etc
I will feel awful accepting these bonuses now If I dont put into their collection
I would so hate to have people calling me 'mean'
But you are all right I have to say to the organisers that I'm 'out' this year and do my own thing. I was thinking maybe of making them all a nice cake to take home for Christmas??

If you're any good at baking, I could see that going down very well. (Maybe it's just me, but I never get good cakes and would love to). I think it's reasonable to show your appreciation if you want to and at a financial level that suits you. Remember, also, that I doubt your bosses gave you the bonus so that you would buy them a iPod. If they want an iPod, they can buy it themselves.

Quiet_Life

M&S are doing their decorated snowflake christmas cake at half price (£3.50) until tomorrow.... probably cheaper than making them yourself & the use by date is early Jan 2011

pjcox2005

For the most part I agree with the points above. I think a quiet word to check everyone is still happy with the practice of collecting for the boss may be sensible.

Couple of flip points though:

- A boss giving a christmas bonus may be out of generosity and should not just be assumed to be for work/performance. They may see it as a gift. Question, if they see it as above would you still consider it reasonable if they didn't pay it (assuming it is a gift/not in contract) as times are tough, or would people have different views?

- It may be worth considering how much it rocks the boat and just how much you need the money. I say this as if you think it will put other peoples backs up or even (and I assume not) make the bosses less flexible with your requirments, then is this worth it for c.86p per week?

If you don't want to pay, that perhaps even badge it as you want to be more festive this year as well as making homemade cakes. Suggest people bring in cakes, mince pies, wine etc so that you can all have a small gathering at the end of one week to 'thank' the bosses and all celebrate together.

bestpud

Does the bonus come out of their pocket though, or out of company profits? Do they club together, with money out of their personal bank accounts, to buy all the staff an expensive gift?

That would make a slight difference imo but it wouldn't make me part with £45 for the select few! I have never known anybody do that!

What do you and your colleagues buy each other? Do you swap gifts amongst yourselves as well?

Cakes sound a lovely idea and I'm sure they will be appreciated - they sound like decent people who value their employees.

Maybe next year you can start talking them round to the idea of a secret santa for everyone?

heretolearn_2

This is unreasonable! It's all very well for another employee to decide that they want to put in £45, but they can't expect everyone else to do so.

Our employees have a whip round for us on our birthdays (not Xmas) but all we get is a little token prezzie, same as everyone else when we do their whip round, bottle of plonk, picture frame, that sort of thing.

I'd just say 'I'm sorry but I don't agree with our being told how much to contribute, not everyone can afford that and it's a bit unfair to dictate the amount. If you have an anonymous whip-round, I'll put in, but not the £45 as I don't budget that for work presents' and then bung in a few quid.

Or come out altogether and make the cake; I'd be thrilled if someone who worked for me gave me a home-made cake!

Rummer

Why not suggest that there is a reduction in donations this year? Maybe £15 and then the bosses are still getting a gift, you are putting money in and everyone wins all round!

I know these work situations can be tough, I opted out of the secret santa last year and people did not understand that I was doing it because I just did not have the money, even though I was honest about it.