Who pays for books?

[Anonymous]

I need a book on a subject that is relevant to my work (a technical book) and it costs about $50. Nobody told me I need to read it, but it's on a new tool we have been using that I feel I need to gain deeper knowledge of. Should I just buy the book myself, or can I ask my employer to purchase it for me? I feel weird asking b/c it's an admission that I don't know as much about this as maybe they think I should. But I also don't want to spend $50 on a book I wouldn't purchase for my own enjoyment.

[Anonymous]

At $50 I doubt the company would put up much of an argument against buying it for you. Can others in the office use it as a resource? But if you could always buy it and ask if you can be reimbursed.

[Anonymous]

It's professional development. As a supervisor, I wouldn't blink an eye at the request.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends where you work. I work for the federal government and haven't had one training that cost money in over 3 years. No way would they buy me a book. We're hard pressed to get paper for our printers.

[Anonymous]

Did you exaggerate you knowledge about this subject? If so, I wouldn't ask them to pay. If not, I'd have no problem asking them to pay.

[Anonymous]

Borrow the book from the library.

Ask your employer to buy the book for the office, others can read it when you are done with it.

[Anonymous]

Someone in your dept has to have a copy of it. Ask if you can borrow to "brush up."