Well, I only had to search back to May of this year to see you expressing your “disgust and embarrassment” for 5 “clueless or classless” employees. Funny, but that also involved a workplace “social” event. So, 1/6 of your crew of happy “lifers” are clueless or classless? I’m sure they couldn’t possibly sense any hint of your feelings towards them.
I didn’t care to search back further, or to look beyond threads you initiated in the Pit. But getting to that May post I passed by your rags on (I think) your son, your dad’s 2d wife, a medical examiner … Seems like a whole lot of people who come in contact with you end up disappointing you. But I’m sure I’m the only person to see what appears to be a pattern here. :rolleyes:
I can’t answer for Foxy, but I can relate. I love my employees… even though they are the most maddeningly dysfunctional group of neurotics in existence. They are good at what they do, and each have their good qualities, but this doesn’t prevent them from driving me nuts. It’s entirely plausible to have homicidal fantasies about an employee while at the same time defending that employees as ‘good people’.
I still question that Admin., though. I think if you polled 5 employees who added on guests, three will say that they heard it was OK through the Admin. It’s either that, or there is some precedent or part of the story that Foxy hasn’t shared with us. When a largish group of people go haywire like that, there is usually one root cause, not a bunch of coincidental ones.
It seems to me the issue is really about numbers, right? It doesn’t matter who the “and a guest” is so long as there’s only one. Say you don’t have a spouse or your spouse can’t or doesn’t want to come. Why not bring a friend or relative? Isn’t that why the invitation says “you and a guest” instead of “you and your spouse”?
It seems to me that any employer offering free alcohol to employees at an office party (even if it is after hours and at a non-work location) had better have a lawyer on retainer and good liability insurance.
I agree. Any excuse gives entitlement employees a chance to bitch.
“Budget, Foxy makes money hand over fist on this place - she can certainly afford to host a party and let me bring my best friend as well as my husband!”
“This place isn’t too small! Foxy’s just being cheap.”
“My mother works as a caterer and she certainly could have changed the headcount last minute - its just an excuse to be cheap!”
My employer threw a big party for us on Sunday. Duck, butternut squash casserole, homemade desserts, stuffed shrimp. You name it, we had it. Plus there was an open (unlimited) bar and a fantastic live band. Dancing ensued. Morale skyrocketed. All told, employer probably dropped about $80-90 on me, which was very much appreciated, considering I’m just a lowly line cook.
Christmas parties are an excellent way to build camaraderie with your coworkers and make the job more fun. Don’t give up because a couple of assholes ruined it for everyone.
When did I say I was wealthy? As a matter of fact, I do not consider myself wealthy at all. I am confused as to what prompted that statement. In addition, I didn’t single out the “lowest rung of the ladder”, my assistant is second in command which is why I think she should have known better. As I said, I certainly was out of line to get upset with her but I do believe she started the trend that got me into this mess. I certainly didn’t go over the intercom and ask her if she was raised in a barn. She has her own office. I have since apologized.
I guess wealthy is a relative term. Although it is none of anyone’s business, I will offer that I do not even make enough to ever be paid up on social security. I have a comfortable life that I work very hard to maintain and I resent strangers on this message board presuming they know more about me than they do. Your opinion contributes nothing and is unproductive to the discussion.
I am wondering who tinkled in Dinsdale and Punditlisa’s rice krispies the past couple of days? I know they both spend a lot of time on these boards…maybe they need to go take a walk and get some sunshine and lay off the personal attacks on strangers. Although I am flattered that you two seem to recall my every post, try to keep some perspective that this is a message board and you really don’t need to get so irritated by people you do not know…nor obviously care to. I am certain I won’t recall either of your screen names after today and I suggest you do the same. Don’t over estimate my importance nor my perception of my own importance. My life is rather dull and managable. I only seek advice here from the wise when I am perplexed by an occasional situation.
I hate to say it but if your OP was to seek advice then the Pit was the wrong place for that.
You constructed a rant and one I agree must be frustrating but you can’t expect everyone to agree with you or your rant.
I suspect that some may be thinking that you created your own frustration in this case and you are ranting at the lack of your own forethought and bringing up past situations to point that out to you.
Reminds me of something my dad used to say, about how often people make their own luck - good or bad.
But carry on. I’m sure all you need to do next year is invite each worker and guest, and you’ll have no problems. And I’m sure we’ll be able to read about it here!
Well, yeah, that’s what I SHOULD have done, but now we have to figure out how to extract an invitation from a gift pile that’s probably already in a storage room at an orphanage.
Read the whole thread, and think that the crux of the biscuit is that folks don’t really realize how much it costs per person to throw a nice shindig. I’ve done a stint in catering, for upscale companies, and, it does cost alot. $80 per is quite nice, on the high end, by my standards.
But, people honestly don’t see the per person charge; it’s a party, so everyone figures the spread is laid out and ready for everyone to partake. Foxy, this would be the time to say: “I truly appreciate all of my employees, and want to give the best Holiday party to those who’ve worked hard for me. I’ve chosen the best caterer and site, and,” ( I don’t know how to phrase it best as to cost),“this limits us to you and a guest”.
Really, it probably boils down to people not having any idea of $80 per person. I think you are very generous here. Some clarification in cost is in order, though, so everyone sees it more clearly.
Disagree - even if you tell people how much it costs, the “company” is an endless source of funds.
We were in a situation one year where we had to lay people off and “gasp” CANCEL the company picnic (which we have at a local amusement park - it isn’t a cheap picnic). People were IRATE about the picnic - one of our senior execs got up and said “we can give you a picnic - if you find ten people willing to get laid off - those are the choices we are making.” They STILL griped about their picnic.
And in Foxy’s case I’m guessing her employees have the perception that she is wealthy. Because PunditLisa isn’t alone in this perception. This is a person that can afford to hand out at least $45k in bonuses to her employees a year - as a managing partner, that is her and her other partners profit being handed back to employees. I don’t know many poor people who could afford $45k in profit leaving one of their primary assets each year. And people who have less money are always convinced that those that have more have endless amounts.
Once again, I find myself thinking that you are causing most of your own problems. You can’t let employees take a little advantage of you, then all of a sudden come down on them for taking a lot of advantage. You let one person invite an extra guest or make that person’s extra guest your guest, and the door is wide open for staff party abuse. No, of course they shouldn’t be taking advantage, but that’s what people do when allowed to do so. The time to have slammed the door shut was on the first extra, uninvited guest. That wouldn’t have been mean; it would have been being a good boss who respects her employees and herself.
This is far from the first time you’ve ranted about your employees (or other people) taking advantage of you. At some point I think you need to realize that you’re not doing anyone any favours by letting them get away with shit. It’s not just being nice; it sounds more like being a doormat with a martyr complex.
And yes, you got mad at me in one of your other threads when I said basically the same thing. I’m applying the same rule to you that I apply to people in real life; if you’re not willing to fix a problem, I’m not willing to happily listen to you complaining about it forever.
When you think about it from the staff’s point of view, you have to wonder how much something like this hurts morale. The rule-breakers are rewarded, then the rules are re-written but only a few lucky people get to benefit from the change. The rest, the quiet ones who did follow the rules are screwed.
When the No. 2 has the message that it’s OK to invite two extra guests, then there is a communication problem at the office.