Obligation to pay staff subs

lulu650

I've a science technician friend who has always happily paid into collections for her department on birthdays/weddings etc. The new edict is a yearly amount (reduced for support staff) for all staff to pay into. Bearing in mind she doesn't know nor has ever spoken to 80% of the staff, she doesn't want to do this.

It wouldn't be so bad if it was only specific celebrations, but now it's flowers/chocolates for anyone off for more than a week! It's only £10 and I would be inclined to just do it. But she's aggrieved that she's being directed towards paying. She would continue buying individual presents for those she is particularly close to.

What would others do?

Annisele

I'd see if anyone else was annoyed. If everybody else said it was a wonderful idea, I'd grit my teeth and hand over my £10.

If others were also peeved, I'd tell the organiser I'd prefer to choose my own gifts, and so I'd like to opt out please. I'd also make clear that I wouldn't expect to receive anything from the fund, since I wasn't contributing.

Mara69

Personally, I'd say no. If I want to put in a collection or buy a gift then I will. If don't like or don't know the person the collection is for then I don't contribute. I certainly won't be told who I will be buying for.

princessdon

I kind of understand where it comes from. We used to have someone who wasn't well liked, as a result they got nothing bar a card when children were born or a milestone birthday. I often felt sorry for her when in he next breath more well liked got presents. It almost felt like social exclusion. Perhaps there iscacreason the company are doing this?

mandragora_2

Of course you can't be forced to do it. I don't, as I am of the same persuasion as your friend, as I think it's nicer to get and give gifts/cards on a more personal level. What's the significance of a bunch of flowers that are sent to you from an anonymous 'fund' because you've fulfilled a criteria? Let them got on with it if they want to, anyone who wants to do it signs up and is in the 'get flowers when you're off 'club, and anyone who doesn't, doesn't. Seems simple to me.

*Scarlett

Gawd! I hate this in work :mad:

Give a fiver for some random stranger you don't even know or have ever spoken to because it's their birthday, had a baby, got married, hopped on 1 leg for charity, manageto pass a kidney stone, etc! :eek:

I am certainly not against donating to charity or giving gifts to friends but would not be roped into some kind of umbrella fund for this.

paddedjohn

*Scarlett wrote: »

Gawd! I hate this in work :mad:

Give a fiver for some random stranger you don't even know or have ever spoken to because it's their birthday, had a baby, got married, hopped on 1 leg for charity, manageto pass a kidney stone, etc! :eek:

I am certainly not against donating to charity or giving gifts to friends but would not be roped into some kind of umbrella fund for this.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^all of the above.

Mojisola

How do others feel?

I'd be inclined to ask if there could be a stop put on buying anything except cards for anyone unless it comes from the company, paid for by the company.

If people who are friends want to give each gifts, that's a personal thing best kept outside of work.

lulu650

Not a company but a school. The Head has obviously got far too much time on his hands by sending my friend emails asking for her subs.

There are others who don't agree but have paid. So friend is in a minority of one!

skintandscared_2

Is it £10 for the year? I'd jump at the chance of that. I reckon I probably end up putting about £50 a year into various work collections. I hate them and hate doing them but it's what is expected unfortunately.

mandragora_2

lulu650 wrote: »

Not a company but a school. The Head has obviously got far too much time on his hands by sending my friend emails asking for her subs.

There are others who don't agree but have paid. So friend is in a minority of one!

You'd think the head would be a bit more occupied with handling the 'action short of strike action' issue than muddying the waters with this.....