Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong to ask for something back for my staff discount?

gayleygoo

Even if it were actually fine with your company (I have a couple of friends who work in shops and are allowed to give discounts to any of their family/friends at the till), would it be worth your friends' while if they had to spend more getting you something too? If the discount is less than £10, they're not saving much if they have to buy you lunch/drinks as well. If they're saving much more than that, then it would be nice of them to reciprocate in some way, but I don't think you can really ask.

If it's a hassle, just say no, or that the company has changed their policy and you're not happy risking your job.

EssexHebridean

Firstly, I must be missing something. A lot of people are wagging their fingers and accusing the "OP" of gross misconduct etc, but I can't actually see where the T's and C's are stated or linked to?

Taking the actual question being posed, I'd suggest it would be wrong to "expect" but more than reasonable of your friends who've benfitted to get you a drink next time you're out as a thank you. That's just common courtesy if someone does you a favour, surely?

As others have said though, if you're starting to begrudge it, then easier by far to tell them in the future that rules have been changed and you can no longer do this. And of course, if you ARE already breaching the T's and C's on the discount by using it for others, then just stop, your job is way more important than keeping "in" with friends.

minicooper272

Our staff discount was always limited to the member of staff, although you could use it to buy gifts – no one else was allowed to use it, and selling the goods on would be a dismissible offence (which is effectively what you’re doing by using their money to buy the items at the moment).

It would be wrong of you to try to get something extra out of your friends, it’s likely against company policy. If you resent using your discount, then just tell them your boss is starting to get suspicious, and you’re worried you’ll lose your job if you keep up.

Andrew_Ryan_89

Keep it to a small circle of friends or and family, no more than 5 or so. Your using your discount card incorrectly and it just takes one idiot to get you fired.

My brother has Netflix and blatantly tells anyone who wants his logins either no or pay half of the monthly cost

picklekin

Don't know why people are assuming its gross misconduct automatically, I have a few friends who work at different companies (I think one of them was Dyson) and get a "friends and family" discount. My personal staff discount is limited to "household only".

To the question at hand - you do things for friends because they are friends, not to expect to get things in return. If its such a hassle, don't bother.

Ganga

My wife used to work in a well known high street chemist,she would often tell me of staff at other branches being sacked for abusing their staff discount cards,some had worked for the company for years and lost good jobs,pensions etc. all for the sake of " helping friends save a few bob " I used to wonder what the so called friends did to help the people who had lost good employment? Also what did they tell their next potential employer when attending an interview " oh by the way i was sacked for gross missconduct/theft ?

klea26

I'd agree with the majority, it's in the T&C of most discount cards that its for the named person only, or only for use for members of the household as long as the cardholder is present so I would guess its gross misconduct for someone to use a discount for their friends.

Marvel1

Be very careful, as I had staff discount for a supermarket and could only be used for me and intermediate family.

Herbalus

I very much doubt this is a staff card scheme that you swipe at the till when working in a grocery store. A designer shop will have much fewer staff and the discount will be limited to employees only.

The employee won't be allowing friends to get the discount strictly speaking, but rather will be purchasing the items themselves and then selling them to their friends. I don't see how the employer would ever find out (though may suspect something fishy if you're buying clothes in different sizes and happen to have 14 handbags).

onlyroz

Think you're missing a trick here. Why not buy stuff with your staff discount and then flog it on eBay? Or perhaps not, if you value your job.