NY message from main manager

Info10

Hi,
how would you explain a following situation - we are a group of around 40 people (construction specialists) working in a world leading company. As a Christmas present we have got postcards signed by the main manager of the project. There were two types of postcards with following text >
1. "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!".
2. "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thanks for hard work in 2016."

a. Do you consider that this is a professional behavior from manager to differ employees and how come he can differ them?
b. Is it common in UK to do it? As the main manager is from UK, however it we work in a project not located in UK (it is located in Scandinavia).

What do you think about the message?
Thanks

daytona0

Maybe some of you don't work hard?

bugslet

Maybe you read too much into it?

Nicki

That looks quite pointed to me!

xapprenticex

Never mind the message, you got a postcard as a present? :rotfl:

One group got a shinier turd than the other :money:

theoretica

How many people would the manager have sent this card to? Just the 40, or more? If it is many more I would suspect they might have been written at very different times, or even by an assistant. Is there any pattern alphabetically or by organisation structure to who got which?

elsien

First off, it wouldn't occur to me to compare messages with other colleagues - better things to do with my time.
Then I'd presume the manager had run out of cards and hastily got a second lot with a different message. Working out who in the work force works harder than others and sending different messages accordingly sounds like far more effort than a manager would usually put in. Especially if he's got a PA who he's delegated to.
My money's on thoughtlessness rather than calculated insult unless the manager is a particularly manipulative type.

Nick_C

Info10 wrote: »

What do you think about the message?

I think its far too early to be wishing people a happy new year!

[Deleted User]

Perhaps the longer message was for people who've done a full year? Maybe shorter messages were for those joining part way through the year. Same as you can get bonuses in accordance to length of service.

My prezzie last year had bit of a broken decoration and the most boo Christmas card of the brigade being least mumsy person but that didn't bother me as I was technically last in and blown over to receive something.

Then there was the hotel chain that one year would issue everybody a different amount of vouchers depending on how the new GM thought each had been. I remember it causing an uproar yes especially with the different sized cards going around!! but it was truly best not discussed. (We were also told head office hadn't supplied that year) so who can blame it.
Either way as must keep reminding ourselves the workplace does not have to be fair.

Ozzuk

You have a job, and a Christmas card, life is good!

AylesburyDuck

Wouldnt even cross my mind to wonder, infact in i had my mind would have thought maybe just a new batch of printed cards with a slightly different message.