I don’t want to donate cash for my office holiday party.

[Anonymous]

It does sound petty from a manager, since this is the only way holiday parties happen for government employees and tone at the top is a thing. Plus, you presumably are in a better place to donate than entry level employees. If it was a “can’t afford to donate and get gas” situation, I’d have more sympathy. But if you can afford it and just don’t want to, suck it up donate a token amount, like $10.

And I say this as a Fed who is glad FT telework did away with office parties. Still, if it’s there, relationships with co-workers matter. So, donate. Put in an appearance. And if you know the party thrower’s manager, maybe mention to them that the party planner could use a refresher on email tone.

And remember, most of the time the people who spearhead these things are drafted, volunteered or do so because they need something to add to the “contributes outside of assigned job duties” section of their review. I doubt someone woke up and decided on their own to throw a large work party.

[Anonymous]

I don't pay and I don't go. There are other ways I would much rather spend my time and money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't donate. I used to work for a small fed office/agency and was expected to contribute generously to stuff like this. It was my boss that was the enforcer. If it was just a random employee who wanted to throw the party, I would have no hesitation in declining or giving $5 max.

This is strange. There should be a limit ($20) on how much you’re allowed to spend on this. If you’re still in govt, ask your ethics person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does sound petty from a manager, since this is the only way holiday parties happen for government employees and tone at the top is a thing. Plus, you presumably are in a better place to donate than entry level employees. If it was a “can’t afford to donate and get gas” situation, I’d have more sympathy. But if you can afford it and just don’t want to, suck it up donate a token amount, like $10.

And I say this as a Fed who is glad FT telework did away with office parties. Still, if it’s there, relationships with co-workers matter. So, donate. Put in an appearance. And if you know the party thrower’s manager, maybe mention to them that the party planner could use a refresher on email tone.

And remember, most of the time the people who spearhead these things are drafted, volunteered or do so because they need something to add to the “contributes outside of assigned job duties” section of their review. I doubt someone woke up and decided on their own to throw a large work party.

What part of "it's not your money" don't you understand?

[Anonymous]

I make up an excuse that I don't celebrate any winter holidays. Too much trauma from childhood. It's completely false but I have stuck to that story from day one so I never donate or go to any winter holiday parties. Anytime anyone tries to bring it up with me I sigh and say with a far away look, "It's complicated and painful" then walk away.

[Anonymous]

I'm a fed and the only holiday party I care to attend is one where we go out to a restaurant to eat, everyone paying their own way, and getting the rest of the afternoon off.

This woman is on a fool's errand.

[Anonymous]

What’s the suggested donation?

[Anonymous]

Ignore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't donate. I used to work for a small fed office/agency and was expected to contribute generously to stuff like this. It was my boss that was the enforcer. If it was just a random employee who wanted to throw the party, I would have no hesitation in declining or giving $5 max.

This is strange. There should be a limit ($20) on how much you’re allowed to spend on this. If you’re still in govt, ask your ethics person.

There is no defined monetary upper limit in the executive branch, but contributions are required to be voluntary, which means people can feel free to give nothing at all... and still attend the party.

A boss as the enforcer of who is donating what is definitely unethical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a fed and the only holiday party I care to attend is one where we go out to a restaurant to eat, everyone paying their own way, and getting the rest of the afternoon off.

This woman is on a fool's errand.

Good for you. I'm a fed and our in-office potluck holiday parties have historically been awesome. I'm looking forward to our first post-pandemic one in a month!

[Anonymous]

Could be worse. In 2008 my firm asked VP and up to “voluntarily” fund the staff bonuses and holiday party. They work hard, the financial crisis was a burden on them and when times get better we need them and they can’t be quitting. 100 percent voted yes

My CEO chipped in 5 million of his own money and asked for 250k per VP. However we made a massive amount of money.

[Anonymous]

I would have a drink and forget this bullshit. No one is forcing me to pay for a party. They can suck my p.

[Anonymous]

My Fed office charges to attend, on a sliding scale according to your grade. I think this is fair: only those who go, pay, and senior people subsidize junior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't donate. I used to work for a small fed office/agency and was expected to contribute generously to stuff like this. It was my boss that was the enforcer. If it was just a random employee who wanted to throw the party, I would have no hesitation in declining or giving $5 max.

This is strange. There should be a limit ($20) on how much you’re allowed to spend on this. If you’re still in govt, ask your ethics person.

There is no defined monetary upper limit in the executive branch, but contributions are required to be voluntary, which means people can feel free to give nothing at all... and still attend the party.

A boss as the enforcer of who is donating what is definitely unethical.

There is a limit, maybe it’s not the same at all agencies, but where I work it’s $20. We just had a training on this, and they emphasized that it’s voluntary AND that there’s a limit. If we all go out to a place together and it’s self pay, then no limit.

[Anonymous]

She should've sent a much better email and gave a few options at certain price points per person.