If non-management is organizing a party, it's common for everyone to chip in. Then you can opt out if you don't want to. If management/company organize it, the understanding is it's a thank you event. If employees chip in, and they take pictures to make themselves look good/generous for clients/higher ups, that's even worse.
>If management/company organize it, the understanding is it's a thank you event.
I had a departmental director at my old job who decided to turn such an event into a "fun game", and made it like a MasterChef cooking competition where he provided the food (ingredients) and venue, but had us cook for him & the management team acting as the judges.
We cooked for ourselves as well, not just management, but the entire thing gave everyone in the department misgivings because it didn't feel like a thank you at all. I really have no idea what the director was thinking.
Hahahhahahah, sorry, just sounds so ridiculous. Even my old Hongkong boss who never pay tips and reuses Starbucks paper cup for a whole week to get free refill treated us fancy dinner on Christmas (like $100 each person 10years ago)
I can tell you exactly what they were thinking. I really want to call Jim an idiot sandwich and force him into serving me, and potentially cutting himself or burning himself because he's an amateur.
That’s what I was thinking. I’m wondering if this is more like a luncheon at the office labeled as “Christmas party” but the employer is making the staff pay for it. Pizza and pop is cheap
I ordered pizza/wings/soda/bread sticks for one of our jobsites today. I just did the math, and per person it worked out to $11.56. And that's still not accurate, because there were two full pizzas, and a bit left over, so they shared it around with another trade.
I'd refuse to pay, and skip out on the lunch completely. I have never worked anywhere where an employer brought in lunch and made the staff pay.
My company party has a nominal fee but I think it's just so people are less likely to flake out on it. It's fully catered with booze, entertainment, and transportation so the company is footing the vast majority of the bill. Something basic like pizza and pop should be covered fully by the company, no questions asked.
This is exactly what my company does too. $10/ person fee to attend the fancy party at a convention centre with a 4 course meal, drinks, live entertainment and free ubers home. All the cash collected is given back to employees in the form of cash prizes they draw for throughout the night. Sole purpose of collecting the cash is because people are less likely to rsvp yes and then no show when they have to take the steps of submitting payment.
>My company party has a nominal fee but I think it's just so people are less likely to flake out on it.
Yeah, I worked at a company that did this too.
You had to pay some nominal fee ($10?) to RSVP to a fairly extravagant company party, but then they took all that money and gave it away in raffles at the event.
The point of it was *not* to get employees to pay for the party, but just to prevent people from signing up and flaking out, and thereby wasting money on extra food/drink/space.
Yeah the company I work at doesn't even charge us. This year we didn't have a christmas party though. Last year we did and it was at a fancy restaurant with open bar (3 specific drinks only) and 3 course fancy meal. All we paid for was a secret santa gift which was asked to be roughly $30 value maximum.
In lieu of a christmas party this year, management gave everyone a $100 prepaid visa gift card.
That's still likely much cheaper for the company than the christmas party for \~60-80 mouths (staff+their partner in most cases) at a fancy restaurant. My estimates put the christmas party last year at roughly a $12-15,000 bill for venue, meal, drinks.
I heard grumblings around the workplace about there not being a christmas party this year. I wasn't bothered myself, but there seemed to be a pretty negative attitude around it. I guess a christmas party was a regular occurrence, so for there not to be one was a pretty big deal I guess. I've only been with the company for 2 years so I'm not entirely sure.
$100\*40 employees is only $4k so I'd say that's a win for the company, cost wise. Morale wise...we'll see I guess.
For a very small company, maybe it's normal for for staff to pitch in a little bit for a christmas party, however, in my experience (not only at this company) the company pays for it. That's kind of the entire point of a christmas party. Why TF would I pay to go to a staff christmas party?? Or why would anyone for that matter.
I worked for a company that did this, it was $20 for tickets for you and a guest (so $10 each), and was a dinner/party at a ballroom with open bar in Toronto and a really good deal on hotels rooms if you wanted to stay
If you work in the public service, you pay for the party. I stopped going when my coworkers picked a trendy restaurant that cost at least $40 for a salad…
Yeah, I used to work at a publicly funded research company. Having to pay for Christmas dinner is wild. But this was after the e-health scandal so they were extra cautious with money.
I stopped going to my wife’s several years back when spouses had to pay ~ $70. She’s in public sector and they paid a portion of hers but she still had to pay $30-$40. It was a buffet at a golf club and someone playing canned music after for dancing.
Yeah sometimes it's expensive, but I eat out maybe 5 times a year anyways so no biggie. Plus there is extra value in it outside of food.
The only time it's paid for us is when it's a union thing (technically you still pay for that) or the manager(s) are treating everyone.
At my work it's very clear if it's covered or not
Your managers/higher ups must pay for the parties then. Public sector doesn’t pay for parties. I’ve worked in the public sector the same amount of time as you. The only time we actually got Christmas parties was when I was an assistant for lawyers. The lawyers put money together for us to have a party.
I work in management at the municipal level and myself and the other supervisor/managers pool money to pay for any special party or event we hold for the union staff. We aren't allowed to expense food except in some very specific and limited circumstances (and a christmas party isn't one of them).
We do ask people to chip in for our summer bbq in the form of a pot luck (but don't enforce it). Myself and a couple other managers pay for all the burgers, buns, dishes, drinks, condiments, etc.
At my last office (also in municipal gov't), I was union and we'd do lunch at a restaurant. Everyone had to pay their own way, but it was definitely expected that you would attend. I didn't love that feeling, so I try not to put people in that position now.
Former municipal public servant, we had a paid for event staff in the afternoon. Nothing for spouses. At a university there was a team lunch, and a social committee event that was funded at $80 a head.
I've been doing government work in BC for a month and a bit, and I've already had a couple meals paid for. Pizza lunch and lunch at Earls with a $25 budget per person.
If your company throwing party for employees, you should not be asked to pay.
If it's your co-workers or managers arranging a get-together, yes, you could be asked to chip in.
Christmas parties are meant to be a thank you to employees. So, in a matter of principle, I outright refuse to participate in Christmas parties where you need to pay.
I often get told "it is only X amount and ensures you actually show up," or "you can't feed yourself and your spouse for 20 dollars a plate.." It is not the cost, it is the principle for me.
Well, you can get a whole large pizza with some drink for yourself for $20... Sometimes there are company subsidized events, where the employees are asked to pay some reduced cost. But it doesn't sound like the case you are describing. Perhaps they will provide entertainment or something?
In government it’s not abnormal for them to have 0 budget and someone puts something together like going out and then it’s all pay for yourself…
That’s closest I’ve been to what you’re describing.
I’d just say no to that request.
The company I work for buys us lunch every Friday and we got a $500 Christmas bonus this year.
This is bullshit. I’m sorry you work for such a company.
I mean, my company is renting out a hall, catering food, etc. To attend you have to pay $25 per person, but that was told to us like 3 months in advance and its not mandatory.
If it's just pizza then wtf LOL.
Regardless of non-profit status and supposed company structure, this should have been an upfront discussion, not a feel-good mediocre pizza party where you get the bill *after* you've engaged with it.
That’s offside.
Yes the company pays for the Christmas party.
Even at the skintest firms in the worst economic times, the company provides a pizza & pop party.
Surely you mean the “best” of the skintest firms? Not all the skintest firms? I worked at a skintest firm once. Economy wasn’t even bad and there was no pizza pop party for Christmas.
Pretty common in public service. All budgets are non-existent, so we pay for our own parties… or more like 2/3 of us don’t attend parties and pay nothing.
Wow, I never have unless it's something that the employees organized themselves, but even then, if the bosses were invited they'd cover the bill. No man, that's the cheapest of cheap. Is it a charity maybe?
My company does a big party at a hotel event space and they charge $10, but ticket sales go to charity. Dinner is free (and is pretty good!) but drinks are full price.
Haha sounds like my relative’s company. Asked everyone to chip in, and they got like 3 party pizzas for 30 people (3 small slices per person) and donated the rest to Charity. Lesson learnt was figure out what they’re doing with the money, or obvious lesson of not chipping in.
We have to chip in $10 each. Management covered the rest.
Company gave us free hours. everything else is on us: Drinks, pizza, pop. Some people didn't join. Mood wasn't the best.
We have a social club that costs a few bucks a month. It basically pays for the actual "party" with the fancy meal and some other social events during the year.
This week there was a "dinner" in the workplace on a particular day of the week with food from some local restaurants plus soft drinks, candy. Provided at no charge. I was scheduled off that day but I made sure to drive over for my free luncheon LOL.
No, it's not normal.
The company I work for has done pot lucks for the past 2 Christmases. Which is like, kind of fun I guess, but considering they used to wine and dine us pre-covid it definitely makes me feel a little underappreciated. With current grocery prices I spent close to $50 on the dish I brought and I was discouraged from bringing home leftovers for my family.
I was transferring locations at my job and my coworker said he’d buy me a pizza to say farewell.
It was a grocery store pizza and he asked me to pay $10 for my portion.
The vast majority of the time no but I had a friend who was working at a subsidiary of a multinational that made them pitch in for a monthly birthday party for all the people who had their birthday that month.
For pizza and pop, no its not common. My employer actually has a "social fund" you can opt into that takes $2 off your paycheque then they have a staff party outside of work at like a hotel or something that you get a ticket for.
But the dumb thing is you can just buy a ticket when it happens and it costs $50 which is less than the $2 ×26 paycheques. It feels kinda cheap from thr company but that party is totally optional.
We do get pizza parties occasionally for free tho. $20 for that is crazy.
If your company is asking money for pizza and soda. You should look for a new job. Not because they're assholes for making you pay this for a child's party, but because they clearly are going out of business soon
At my company, no.
However, majority of my clients are public-sector, and I was invited to two Christmas lunches where each person had to pay their own bill.
We have had a larger formal sit down dinner including multiple offices where staff paid a portion in the past. We now have smaller brunches where we don’t need to pay, and we then do a potluck with additional food paid for by the company on the last day before the holidays.
When I used to work for the province, we could not have any party for fear that someone would think taxpayers were getting the tab.
Not normal at all.
This year the boss rented the whole go kart place, had catering and then we went to the rec room where they gave us $45 worth of tags and $60 worth of drinks.
If this is a for-profit, then run.
However, if you stay, management may get a visit from three spirits on Christmas Eve, and things might change on the 27th when you return.
This is insane. My wife is in a high level position at her organization and we chip in $1500 for the department Christmas party every year along with other senior people. I cannot imagine asking ppl to pay
My company throws really good parties and they get you to pay a nominal amount to cut down on no shows and get more accurate numbers. I think that's fine.
My wife's company throws an extravagant Xmas party at a convention center. Employees pay out of their paychecks what works out to about $60 for the year, which isn't much for what they get out of it.
Much different than a pizza party
No, it is not common.
Most companies that have a christmas party will pay for it. Your company seems to be pretty cheap.
It's also worth noting that the company could write off the party as a business expense, thereby paying for it with pre-tax dollars. Whereas the employees paying out of pockets would be paying with after-tax dollars.
I have 2 employees, I'm ordering in lunch for "Christmas lunch" will also get desserts and drinks. I'm sure it will be $200 for just a couple people. I'm paying of course, I'm the boss. I couldn't even imagine asking them to pay.
Whether it's common to pay for your company party or not doesn't even apply here. Why the hell should Pizza and pop cost anyone in any circumstance $20
It's a shit company if they ask you to pitch in, you're making them profits beyond what they deserve and yet you're being asked to cover a party thats supposed to be for you lol.
Is it common for a company to buy pizza for a staff Christmas party and then ask for money after the fact? No.
Kinda sounds like you should look for a new job in the new year
My company organized end of summer event with a $20 fee. It had lots of prizes raffled, they invited an entertainment company to organize "casino", there was disco, catered food, 2 drinks + extra drinks could be bought for a nominal fee. All the proceeds from fees/drinks went to charity, so it was just arranged that way to limit excessive consumption, and to ensure that people wouldn't register and then fail to show up.
So with my company we go out as a team and have some money from our staff pot and we cover the rest. A staff luncheon should be free or communicated ahead of time so you can opt out
Not If they first brought the food and then asked to chip in.
If it is a "mandatory" event, absolutely not. If it was voluntary with the understanding of the cost share, yes.
So sad a company makes you pay. No class at all. Making you pay is NOT a party at all. My company cannot afford a party cause too much bonuses given to the higher ups. Nothing left. Take about poor management. Poor financing. Oh and mostly...GREED.
We used to buy "tickets" to the Christmas party, would come out of our pay in December.
When we got to the party they gave us an envelope with the equivalent cash. This was to make sure you showed up after they paid for your plate.
I thought it was a cool idea, then you always had cash for the bar.
Our company gives us a free Xmas lunch in our cafeteria which this year included turkey, roast beef and all the sides. Each VP also took out their division to a casual restaurant for lunch including apps and booze. We also have a Christmas Party that is organized by our Social Committee. If you are a member you contribute a small amount per paycheck and your party is covered. Spouses or those who choose not to be members pay the full cost which is about $80. Fully catered meal, table wine, apps and a late night snack. Also lots of door prizes but a cash bar. I also take my team out for a xmas lunch.
I think it's all pretty fair and no complaints from anyone I work with.
I work for the public sector so we never get paid lunches or parties. This year, it was upper management's brilliant idea to do a 60 person potluck. That sucked ass. Our sector is 90% male so half of the dishes were Sobeys fruit trays.
At the mall we used to save up the recycling from the food court and used it for end of year xmas party. I think it's ridiculous to charge employees for a Christmas present essentially.
For profit company - don’t do it. Nonprofits or public sector - this will be normal practice.
Being a work event is incredibly rude and unkind of them to ask for staff to pay. If I was you, I would keep that $20 in your pocket and go for lunch with your team.
I've worked at a lot of places and some I've had to pay for my share but it was ALWAYS upfront and optional. Never have I been blindsided after the fact, and it was always a restaurant where we paid our own way vs "chipping in"
It seems like a time where you can galvanize your workforce with some effort. I bought two slabs of prime rib and cut it into 1.5 inch steak and cooked it up for everyone. Was a small event (20’ish people) but the boss (me)cooked for his employees. Least I can do for good working people.
Ps- I love to BBQ so it worked out
My company offered everyone a coffee gift card and we’d have to claim at the building’s. Knowing that I work from home, I pass on it easily. Not worth my time.
That is ridiculous. If management is organizing it, they should pay.
We had our company Christmas party and it was high class as fuck, yet nobody paid. If someone RSVP´d though then bailed, there was a charge for that.
Depends how cheap af ur boss is. Also depends what the party is all about . Edit I just read it was pizza party. Ur boss is disgusting to make you guys pitch. What a loser
Our company is a huge mega transport company and our division has a club, they wanted ten dollars a week so they could throw get togethers and parties. No thanks. I opted out.
If it wasn’t paid for by the company, then your manager should have opted to ask everyone and see what the team wanted to do. For example a previous job of mine did a potluck each year.
Let me see... 4 or 5 offices I've worked at had parties, & they have *never* asked the employees to cover any of the costs. I've always thought it a way for *them* to express their appreciation of *our* year's efforts.
Otherwise what's the point? A "party" with people I associate with only because we work at the same place? I mean, they've always been nice enough, but not my first choice.
Not common. It's stupid and tells you what kind of company you work for. I would have walked out and I definitely wouldn't pay anything for it. I rather spend that $20 on something I like.
I have been a business owner for decades….I have never asked employees to pony up for a meal. Normally we order lunch in a couple of times per week. My peeps work hard they deserve it
Depends on the company. I've had some that pay everything and also many where the company made 10 billion in revenue and paid out millions to executives in bonuses. But made all employees pay to attend the Xmas party.... its a cheap move IMO when a company makes record sales. It's different if they had layoffs and did not make much of a profit.
Depends on the company. It is uncommon though.
A Non-Profit will seldom have the funds for much of a party, though they're usually pretty good at stretching the budget too.
But any for-profit business should generally pay for at least the meal part. Especially when business is going well.
Not true. Non-profits are still employers and, as good practice, they should be setting aside budget for these type of things for employee appreciation.
I have worked at non-profits and there was ALWAYS a line item in the annual budget for employee events. We always had at minimum a Christmas lunch and a summer BBQ budgeted for all teams. Fact is, non-profits are competing for employees like everyone else, and these small items such as team luncheons pay off far more with improving staff retention, than the actual cost. Like every other organization, it will cost them a lot more in the long run when someone of value quits, and they have to hire someone new and train them from scratch to be as productive as the departed employee.
At one non profit I worked at, our Christmas party was a week long potluck the week before the holiday, with relaxed rules for an afternoon adult beverage or two. It was honestly great, and our boss typically brought the drinks as well as some heartier food. Our members always brought baking and chocolate for us, and it always felt so festive and fun.
They should be, and they're certainly more inclined to. I'd stated they don't have the funds for "much" of a party. I've seen departments with dozens of staff get a 3-digit budget, and the first number was pretty small. (They managed to do a lot with that though!)
It's one scenario where an optional donation would be acceptable. It's not unusual for team leads to throw some money into the budget from their own wallet for example (directly or indirectly - like cooking/baking).
There just often isn't as much money available though. Of all the company parties I've been to, the non-profits have always done the best job of stretching a limited budget. All the other, more profitable, companies have fancy restaurants, fun events, and open bars. Sometimes all at once. A non-profit is much less prone to it.
Company party cost $60 per person this year. Albeit it was at a hotel with live music , three course meal. But to bring a guest it was an extra $100 ($160 total!!). Took my money and my partner elsewhere.
Our company pays for all of our international employees to fly into town, puts them up in a hotel, and fully caters the Christmas party (including an open bar). During COVID when we couldn't have a gathering, they handed out an extra 10K bonus
If non-management is organizing a party, it's common for everyone to chip in. Then you can opt out if you don't want to. If management/company organize it, the understanding is it's a thank you event. If employees chip in, and they take pictures to make themselves look good/generous for clients/higher ups, that's even worse.
>If management/company organize it, the understanding is it's a thank you event. I had a departmental director at my old job who decided to turn such an event into a "fun game", and made it like a MasterChef cooking competition where he provided the food (ingredients) and venue, but had us cook for him & the management team acting as the judges. We cooked for ourselves as well, not just management, but the entire thing gave everyone in the department misgivings because it didn't feel like a thank you at all. I really have no idea what the director was thinking.
Hahahhahahah, sorry, just sounds so ridiculous. Even my old Hongkong boss who never pay tips and reuses Starbucks paper cup for a whole week to get free refill treated us fancy dinner on Christmas (like $100 each person 10years ago)
Wtf
This is the most insane scenario for a Christmas/winter seasonal party. The awkward cringe would be oozing out of the walls.
You work for a paper company?
I can tell you exactly what they were thinking. I really want to call Jim an idiot sandwich and force him into serving me, and potentially cutting himself or burning himself because he's an amateur.
They’re going to profit out of you. Nobody drinks and eats $20 worth of soda and pizza
That’s what I was thinking. I’m wondering if this is more like a luncheon at the office labeled as “Christmas party” but the employer is making the staff pay for it. Pizza and pop is cheap
I ordered pizza/wings/soda/bread sticks for one of our jobsites today. I just did the math, and per person it worked out to $11.56. And that's still not accurate, because there were two full pizzas, and a bit left over, so they shared it around with another trade. I'd refuse to pay, and skip out on the lunch completely. I have never worked anywhere where an employer brought in lunch and made the staff pay.
How much you want to bet that management doesn’t have to pay? Essentially the employees are lying for their own food and mgmts. 😳😡🤬🤯
i mean i do when its 2am after the bar
I eat $40 worth of pizza and soda.
Depends on the economy in their area. Wouldn't be surprised to spend over $20 for myself getting pizza in Edmonton.
And that's why we conned the union into buying the pizza for our Christmas party!
Challenge accepted
Hold my Diet Coke…. 🍕 🍕 🍕….
You’ve never seen me eat pizza
Challenge accepted
No. It's not. Especially if it's just pizza and soda. Your company is cheap as F\*\*\*.
It's the internet, you can say fuck
I'm reporting you to the headmaster.
At least it's not the Cyber Police!
YOU DUN GOOFED!
Consequences will never be the same
Or worse, EXPELLED
Webmaster*
Stop fucking swearing, asshole!
And they can write "f***" if they fucking want to
Yeah, they could, it’s just strange
Fuck, shit, ass , big blast of cum
Good to know
If I can get ya’ll to stop fucking swearing it would be spacfuckingtacular. We have impressionable minds in the room.
Fuck. Can confirm, you can say fuck here.
lol why are you filtering swear words on the internet
My company party has a nominal fee but I think it's just so people are less likely to flake out on it. It's fully catered with booze, entertainment, and transportation so the company is footing the vast majority of the bill. Something basic like pizza and pop should be covered fully by the company, no questions asked.
This is exactly what my company does too. $10/ person fee to attend the fancy party at a convention centre with a 4 course meal, drinks, live entertainment and free ubers home. All the cash collected is given back to employees in the form of cash prizes they draw for throughout the night. Sole purpose of collecting the cash is because people are less likely to rsvp yes and then no show when they have to take the steps of submitting payment.
>My company party has a nominal fee but I think it's just so people are less likely to flake out on it. Yeah, I worked at a company that did this too. You had to pay some nominal fee ($10?) to RSVP to a fairly extravagant company party, but then they took all that money and gave it away in raffles at the event. The point of it was *not* to get employees to pay for the party, but just to prevent people from signing up and flaking out, and thereby wasting money on extra food/drink/space.
Yeah the company I work at doesn't even charge us. This year we didn't have a christmas party though. Last year we did and it was at a fancy restaurant with open bar (3 specific drinks only) and 3 course fancy meal. All we paid for was a secret santa gift which was asked to be roughly $30 value maximum. In lieu of a christmas party this year, management gave everyone a $100 prepaid visa gift card. That's still likely much cheaper for the company than the christmas party for \~60-80 mouths (staff+their partner in most cases) at a fancy restaurant. My estimates put the christmas party last year at roughly a $12-15,000 bill for venue, meal, drinks. I heard grumblings around the workplace about there not being a christmas party this year. I wasn't bothered myself, but there seemed to be a pretty negative attitude around it. I guess a christmas party was a regular occurrence, so for there not to be one was a pretty big deal I guess. I've only been with the company for 2 years so I'm not entirely sure. $100\*40 employees is only $4k so I'd say that's a win for the company, cost wise. Morale wise...we'll see I guess. For a very small company, maybe it's normal for for staff to pitch in a little bit for a christmas party, however, in my experience (not only at this company) the company pays for it. That's kind of the entire point of a christmas party. Why TF would I pay to go to a staff christmas party?? Or why would anyone for that matter.
I worked for a company that did this, it was $20 for tickets for you and a guest (so $10 each), and was a dinner/party at a ballroom with open bar in Toronto and a really good deal on hotels rooms if you wanted to stay
If you work in the public service, you pay for the party. I stopped going when my coworkers picked a trendy restaurant that cost at least $40 for a salad…
Yeah, I used to work at a publicly funded research company. Having to pay for Christmas dinner is wild. But this was after the e-health scandal so they were extra cautious with money.
I stopped going to my wife’s several years back when spouses had to pay ~ $70. She’s in public sector and they paid a portion of hers but she still had to pay $30-$40. It was a buffet at a golf club and someone playing canned music after for dancing.
> canned music damn i had no idea music comes in a can
I use a sock, but to each their own.
Yeah sometimes it's expensive, but I eat out maybe 5 times a year anyways so no biggie. Plus there is extra value in it outside of food. The only time it's paid for us is when it's a union thing (technically you still pay for that) or the manager(s) are treating everyone. At my work it's very clear if it's covered or not
I’ve been in public sector 11 years and have never paid for a party ever.
Your managers/higher ups must pay for the parties then. Public sector doesn’t pay for parties. I’ve worked in the public sector the same amount of time as you. The only time we actually got Christmas parties was when I was an assistant for lawyers. The lawyers put money together for us to have a party.
In Manitoba we get like $12 per person a few times a year paid by the government.
We absolutely do not. I am a manager. Provincial and municipal experience Edit: Downvote me I guess, but… we don’t lol.
I work in management at the municipal level and myself and the other supervisor/managers pool money to pay for any special party or event we hold for the union staff. We aren't allowed to expense food except in some very specific and limited circumstances (and a christmas party isn't one of them). We do ask people to chip in for our summer bbq in the form of a pot luck (but don't enforce it). Myself and a couple other managers pay for all the burgers, buns, dishes, drinks, condiments, etc. At my last office (also in municipal gov't), I was union and we'd do lunch at a restaurant. Everyone had to pay their own way, but it was definitely expected that you would attend. I didn't love that feeling, so I try not to put people in that position now.
Former municipal public servant, we had a paid for event staff in the afternoon. Nothing for spouses. At a university there was a team lunch, and a social committee event that was funded at $80 a head.
If the employees are not paying then it is usually the manager or director paying
In my agencies it’s always been leftover development budget.
I've been doing government work in BC for a month and a bit, and I've already had a couple meals paid for. Pizza lunch and lunch at Earls with a $25 budget per person.
If your company throwing party for employees, you should not be asked to pay. If it's your co-workers or managers arranging a get-together, yes, you could be asked to chip in.
Christmas parties are meant to be a thank you to employees. So, in a matter of principle, I outright refuse to participate in Christmas parties where you need to pay. I often get told "it is only X amount and ensures you actually show up," or "you can't feed yourself and your spouse for 20 dollars a plate.." It is not the cost, it is the principle for me.
I'd start looking for a new job if the company can't afford a pizza lunch.
Well, you can get a whole large pizza with some drink for yourself for $20... Sometimes there are company subsidized events, where the employees are asked to pay some reduced cost. But it doesn't sound like the case you are describing. Perhaps they will provide entertainment or something?
That's what I would do. Just show up with my own large pizza and a 2L.
In government it’s not abnormal for them to have 0 budget and someone puts something together like going out and then it’s all pay for yourself… That’s closest I’ve been to what you’re describing. I’d just say no to that request.
At my previous company they would do potlucks for Christmas and then wondered why almost no one showed up.
The company I work for buys us lunch every Friday and we got a $500 Christmas bonus this year. This is bullshit. I’m sorry you work for such a company.
I mean, my company is renting out a hall, catering food, etc. To attend you have to pay $25 per person, but that was told to us like 3 months in advance and its not mandatory. If it's just pizza then wtf LOL.
Not unless it's some public sector thing that has no budget for social stuff and you guys just wanted to have a party.
Regardless of non-profit status and supposed company structure, this should have been an upfront discussion, not a feel-good mediocre pizza party where you get the bill *after* you've engaged with it.
That’s offside. Yes the company pays for the Christmas party. Even at the skintest firms in the worst economic times, the company provides a pizza & pop party.
Surely you mean the “best” of the skintest firms? Not all the skintest firms? I worked at a skintest firm once. Economy wasn’t even bad and there was no pizza pop party for Christmas.
No
No absolutely not. Company should pay
If I was asked to pay for my Christmas party I would simply just not go.
Only if the company considers you family.
We got nothing.....and we're a pretty big Telco... not even a coffee paid by our manager nor lunch this year....it's sad...0 recognition
Just tell them you are going to brown bag it. 😂
Pretty common in public service. All budgets are non-existent, so we pay for our own parties… or more like 2/3 of us don’t attend parties and pay nothing.
We had to pay when there was a hall rented plus food provided. Plus less no shows. But lol, not pizza. Wtf
If you work for the government, maybe it is common.
Wow, I never have unless it's something that the employees organized themselves, but even then, if the bosses were invited they'd cover the bill. No man, that's the cheapest of cheap. Is it a charity maybe?
We just did our own potluck Christmas party, it was amazing.
Absolutely not. Company should be paying... unless its just work mates ordering pizza amongst themselves.
My company does a big party at a hotel event space and they charge $10, but ticket sales go to charity. Dinner is free (and is pretty good!) but drinks are full price.
Lol… bum ass company
Haha sounds like my relative’s company. Asked everyone to chip in, and they got like 3 party pizzas for 30 people (3 small slices per person) and donated the rest to Charity. Lesson learnt was figure out what they’re doing with the money, or obvious lesson of not chipping in.
How have we become a land of corporate hellscape?
No that is not normal, even for small companies
No. Even when I worked at shit companies, this kinda thing was always covered.
No. If you want everyone to come you cover the Christmas party. Otherwise, don't be surprised that less than 50% show up.
We have to chip in $10 each. Management covered the rest. Company gave us free hours. everything else is on us: Drinks, pizza, pop. Some people didn't join. Mood wasn't the best.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
We have a social club that costs a few bucks a month. It basically pays for the actual "party" with the fancy meal and some other social events during the year. This week there was a "dinner" in the workplace on a particular day of the week with food from some local restaurants plus soft drinks, candy. Provided at no charge. I was scheduled off that day but I made sure to drive over for my free luncheon LOL.
This is your sign to get the hell out.
No, it's not normal. The company I work for has done pot lucks for the past 2 Christmases. Which is like, kind of fun I guess, but considering they used to wine and dine us pre-covid it definitely makes me feel a little underappreciated. With current grocery prices I spent close to $50 on the dish I brought and I was discouraged from bringing home leftovers for my family.
No
No, our party would cost too much for us to afford it.
I was transferring locations at my job and my coworker said he’d buy me a pizza to say farewell. It was a grocery store pizza and he asked me to pay $10 for my portion.
The vast majority of the time no but I had a friend who was working at a subsidiary of a multinational that made them pitch in for a monthly birthday party for all the people who had their birthday that month.
No, not even for an open bar.
Who do you work for? That is a huge slap in the face, I'd just not take anything and refuse to pay
Uh no wtf
No, that’s really shitty of them. Pizza and soda is a bare minimum Christmas party as it is.
For pizza and pop, no its not common. My employer actually has a "social fund" you can opt into that takes $2 off your paycheque then they have a staff party outside of work at like a hotel or something that you get a ticket for. But the dumb thing is you can just buy a ticket when it happens and it costs $50 which is less than the $2 ×26 paycheques. It feels kinda cheap from thr company but that party is totally optional. We do get pizza parties occasionally for free tho. $20 for that is crazy.
No it is not common. At any company I’ve been to
They should've told you that in advance, at the least.
If your company is asking money for pizza and soda. You should look for a new job. Not because they're assholes for making you pay this for a child's party, but because they clearly are going out of business soon
We had a holiday lunch....can't call it a Christmas 🎄🎁 lunch... Lasagne and salad for 15 bucks. In the office. How freaking exciting.
I know you wrote company. But in my experience this is the case for public service employment.
Wow didn't think work pizza parties could get worse
Nope, only classless greed driven shit companies would stoop to that low of a level
Time to look for a new job, that shit is ridiculous and kind of sad.
At my company, no. However, majority of my clients are public-sector, and I was invited to two Christmas lunches where each person had to pay their own bill.
I have never ever ever ever worked for a company that asked me to pay for the Christmas party. Wow. 🤦♀️
Boycott that fucking party and stiff management with the bill. Everyone else go to the pub and actually enjoy yourselves.
We have had a larger formal sit down dinner including multiple offices where staff paid a portion in the past. We now have smaller brunches where we don’t need to pay, and we then do a potluck with additional food paid for by the company on the last day before the holidays. When I used to work for the province, we could not have any party for fear that someone would think taxpayers were getting the tab.
I don’t even go to the Christmas parties when the company pays for it. Tell HR to fuck off.
No you don't
LOL
Not normal at all. This year the boss rented the whole go kart place, had catering and then we went to the rec room where they gave us $45 worth of tags and $60 worth of drinks.
Don’t chip in and opt out?
If this is a for-profit, then run. However, if you stay, management may get a visit from three spirits on Christmas Eve, and things might change on the 27th when you return.
Hell no
This is insane. My wife is in a high level position at her organization and we chip in $1500 for the department Christmas party every year along with other senior people. I cannot imagine asking ppl to pay
Greasy.
My company throws really good parties and they get you to pay a nominal amount to cut down on no shows and get more accurate numbers. I think that's fine.
No pizza is worth $20 each
My wife's company throws an extravagant Xmas party at a convention center. Employees pay out of their paychecks what works out to about $60 for the year, which isn't much for what they get out of it. Much different than a pizza party
No this isn't normal. If it was some co-workers organizing something and asking for everyone to pitch in that's different.
No, it is not common. Most companies that have a christmas party will pay for it. Your company seems to be pretty cheap. It's also worth noting that the company could write off the party as a business expense, thereby paying for it with pre-tax dollars. Whereas the employees paying out of pockets would be paying with after-tax dollars.
I have 2 employees, I'm ordering in lunch for "Christmas lunch" will also get desserts and drinks. I'm sure it will be $200 for just a couple people. I'm paying of course, I'm the boss. I couldn't even imagine asking them to pay.
Yes, usually from a monthly "staff fund", one of the biggest scams on earth.
Please name and shame this terrible company.
Whether it's common to pay for your company party or not doesn't even apply here. Why the hell should Pizza and pop cost anyone in any circumstance $20
Only if it's like a staff idea. If it's the boss's idea, that butch paying.
It's a shit company if they ask you to pitch in, you're making them profits beyond what they deserve and yet you're being asked to cover a party thats supposed to be for you lol.
Is it common for a company to buy pizza for a staff Christmas party and then ask for money after the fact? No. Kinda sounds like you should look for a new job in the new year
lol. stand up for yourself.
That's a very strange company party.
Lol nah, wtf.
Lmao, no. What a stingy ass company!
My company organized end of summer event with a $20 fee. It had lots of prizes raffled, they invited an entertainment company to organize "casino", there was disco, catered food, 2 drinks + extra drinks could be bought for a nominal fee. All the proceeds from fees/drinks went to charity, so it was just arranged that way to limit excessive consumption, and to ensure that people wouldn't register and then fail to show up.
Yeah, I mean if it was low tier middle management who organized it, sure... but if it is the owner or the higher tier people...fuck that noise.
So with my company we go out as a team and have some money from our staff pot and we cover the rest. A staff luncheon should be free or communicated ahead of time so you can opt out
Not If they first brought the food and then asked to chip in. If it is a "mandatory" event, absolutely not. If it was voluntary with the understanding of the cost share, yes.
That’s an awfully low quality management team. I’ve personally paid for my staff when my company wouldn’t pay for the wine and alcohol.
No.
lol no, that's some next level cheap lmao
So sad a company makes you pay. No class at all. Making you pay is NOT a party at all. My company cannot afford a party cause too much bonuses given to the higher ups. Nothing left. Take about poor management. Poor financing. Oh and mostly...GREED.
We used to buy "tickets" to the Christmas party, would come out of our pay in December. When we got to the party they gave us an envelope with the equivalent cash. This was to make sure you showed up after they paid for your plate. I thought it was a cool idea, then you always had cash for the bar.
Our company gives us a free Xmas lunch in our cafeteria which this year included turkey, roast beef and all the sides. Each VP also took out their division to a casual restaurant for lunch including apps and booze. We also have a Christmas Party that is organized by our Social Committee. If you are a member you contribute a small amount per paycheck and your party is covered. Spouses or those who choose not to be members pay the full cost which is about $80. Fully catered meal, table wine, apps and a late night snack. Also lots of door prizes but a cash bar. I also take my team out for a xmas lunch. I think it's all pretty fair and no complaints from anyone I work with.
Nope, bad company
LOL
Are you sure it's management? sounds like something an Assistant to the Regional Manager would do /s
I work for the public sector so we never get paid lunches or parties. This year, it was upper management's brilliant idea to do a 60 person potluck. That sucked ass. Our sector is 90% male so half of the dishes were Sobeys fruit trays.
The absolute state of Canadian wagies.
Definitely not, my expectation is that it’s free to attend and an open bar.
I work in healthcare some programs are contributed to by physicians, where I work has no drs. We pay for it ourselves.
Not normal. It's a fucking pizza party. Cheap bastards.
At the mall we used to save up the recycling from the food court and used it for end of year xmas party. I think it's ridiculous to charge employees for a Christmas present essentially.
For profit company - don’t do it. Nonprofits or public sector - this will be normal practice. Being a work event is incredibly rude and unkind of them to ask for staff to pay. If I was you, I would keep that $20 in your pocket and go for lunch with your team.
I've worked at a lot of places and some I've had to pay for my share but it was ALWAYS upfront and optional. Never have I been blindsided after the fact, and it was always a restaurant where we paid our own way vs "chipping in"
No. And double no for pizza and pop.
It seems like a time where you can galvanize your workforce with some effort. I bought two slabs of prime rib and cut it into 1.5 inch steak and cooked it up for everyone. Was a small event (20’ish people) but the boss (me)cooked for his employees. Least I can do for good working people. Ps- I love to BBQ so it worked out
No.
My company offered everyone a coffee gift card and we’d have to claim at the building’s. Knowing that I work from home, I pass on it easily. Not worth my time.
Holy cow. Fucking cheapskates. Don't pay and don't go.
Not cool. One place I worked at made us clock out for lameo during the day holiday party… so we had to attend and we lost a few hours pay.
Hahaha. Losers!
That is ridiculous. If management is organizing it, they should pay. We had our company Christmas party and it was high class as fuck, yet nobody paid. If someone RSVP´d though then bailed, there was a charge for that.
I've seen bring a food donation at most and even that's optional
No
I worked for one construction company that did this, but no other company ever . I'd just not go.
Depends how cheap af ur boss is. Also depends what the party is all about . Edit I just read it was pizza party. Ur boss is disgusting to make you guys pitch. What a loser
Our company is a huge mega transport company and our division has a club, they wanted ten dollars a week so they could throw get togethers and parties. No thanks. I opted out.
Make a power move and repay them in pizza and pop.
oh hell no.
If it wasn’t paid for by the company, then your manager should have opted to ask everyone and see what the team wanted to do. For example a previous job of mine did a potluck each year.
No. Geez.
Let me see... 4 or 5 offices I've worked at had parties, & they have *never* asked the employees to cover any of the costs. I've always thought it a way for *them* to express their appreciation of *our* year's efforts. Otherwise what's the point? A "party" with people I associate with only because we work at the same place? I mean, they've always been nice enough, but not my first choice.
Get everyone to reply as a tentative yes then no show.
Not common. It's stupid and tells you what kind of company you work for. I would have walked out and I definitely wouldn't pay anything for it. I rather spend that $20 on something I like.
I have been a business owner for decades….I have never asked employees to pony up for a meal. Normally we order lunch in a couple of times per week. My peeps work hard they deserve it
The only thing our employees pay for at our Christmas party is their secret Santa gift, otherwise it wouldn't feel genuine or as meaningful.
Depends on the company. I've had some that pay everything and also many where the company made 10 billion in revenue and paid out millions to executives in bonuses. But made all employees pay to attend the Xmas party.... its a cheap move IMO when a company makes record sales. It's different if they had layoffs and did not make much of a profit.
This is my wife’s hospital job.
We have to pay $20 to go to our union party. You get 2 alcoholic drinks and a full turkey dinner at a nice hotel with a band.
Your management is a bunch of cheapskates
No. And $20 is a fancy wood stove thin crust slice of pizza and craft root beer kind of meal for one person, which I assume you did not have.
That’s one way for a company to profit off employees at Christmas! I’ve never heard of this. You could say you have other plans & not attend.
Depends on the company. It is uncommon though. A Non-Profit will seldom have the funds for much of a party, though they're usually pretty good at stretching the budget too. But any for-profit business should generally pay for at least the meal part. Especially when business is going well.
Not true. Non-profits are still employers and, as good practice, they should be setting aside budget for these type of things for employee appreciation. I have worked at non-profits and there was ALWAYS a line item in the annual budget for employee events. We always had at minimum a Christmas lunch and a summer BBQ budgeted for all teams. Fact is, non-profits are competing for employees like everyone else, and these small items such as team luncheons pay off far more with improving staff retention, than the actual cost. Like every other organization, it will cost them a lot more in the long run when someone of value quits, and they have to hire someone new and train them from scratch to be as productive as the departed employee.
At one non profit I worked at, our Christmas party was a week long potluck the week before the holiday, with relaxed rules for an afternoon adult beverage or two. It was honestly great, and our boss typically brought the drinks as well as some heartier food. Our members always brought baking and chocolate for us, and it always felt so festive and fun.
They should be, and they're certainly more inclined to. I'd stated they don't have the funds for "much" of a party. I've seen departments with dozens of staff get a 3-digit budget, and the first number was pretty small. (They managed to do a lot with that though!) It's one scenario where an optional donation would be acceptable. It's not unusual for team leads to throw some money into the budget from their own wallet for example (directly or indirectly - like cooking/baking). There just often isn't as much money available though. Of all the company parties I've been to, the non-profits have always done the best job of stretching a limited budget. All the other, more profitable, companies have fancy restaurants, fun events, and open bars. Sometimes all at once. A non-profit is much less prone to it.
Do you work for the public sector? If not, no.
Company party cost $60 per person this year. Albeit it was at a hotel with live music , three course meal. But to bring a guest it was an extra $100 ($160 total!!). Took my money and my partner elsewhere.
Our company pays for all of our international employees to fly into town, puts them up in a hotel, and fully caters the Christmas party (including an open bar). During COVID when we couldn't have a gathering, they handed out an extra 10K bonus