I don't mind a potluck. I just loathe the ice breakers/party type stuff they shove on us. I now take off every year.

Pot luck dinners are way way better than they used to be.

At my first two jobs out of school we do stuff like a pot luck, maybe Xmas gift exchange, Chris Kringle, cookie exchange or we send Xmas cards to each other.

But the catch was work in my Places were nearly all men. The wives made the pot luck, bought and wrap gifts and they were not invited.

When single my moms made cookies. Later wife took on Xmas card duties.

At my brothers job secretaries helped the guys out.

Today at least that nonsense died off.

And back in my aunts day it was expected international clients and sometimes boss come to your house for dinner and drinks and prepare it all.

I recall in Y2K at KPMG in 1998 we were updating T&E system and old codes such as spousal groceries for client dinners were still active. Yes the Partner could expense wife’s grocery bill for client dinners at home.

Kinda like Bewitched when Mr. Tate - Darren’s boss would come to dinner

I enjoy work potlucks. My co-workers usually bring lovely food and it's easier logistically and more laid back than going to a restaurant.

Ugh I especially hated potlucks because I walked or sometimes took public transit to work and I hated carrying some casserole dish or whatever.

Anonymous wrote:If a potluck is bad, it means you work with some really bad cooks.

Surely you jest. No one is this dense. It has nothing to do with the quality of the cooks-- it is super cheap and totally thoughtless... not to mention a health hazard during Covid. Bosses will claim that "their potluck party" helped "employee morale" or some such b.s. on their annual reviews. And employees are left with nothing but forced Covidy "togetherness".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Covid aside. If your office or department is "hosting" a holiday meal for staff, don't make it potluck. If a group of co-workers want to get together and have a potluck, fine, but don't try to sell a potluck meal as "a thank you for all you do" to your staff. Sanitary issues aside, it is cheap and annoying.

Guess you can just tell what sort of holiday lunch email the boss just sent out.

Ugh yes huge in federal govt…I’ve been to too many hallway potluck parties.

+1, this was one of the things I definitely do not miss about being a Fed. I had no interest in bringing in food for my co-workers, or eating their food. In the other Fed office I worked in, the holiday party was after work hours on a Friday at a local restaurant, but required everyone to chip in $50 a ticket (included some appetizers and one drink). Not surprisingly, attendance was fairly poor. I went the first couple of years and never again after that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employees,

Thanks for a wonderful year. As per your employment agreement you have received your agreed upon compensation and benefits for the year 2021.

We look forward to another wonderful year in 2022. If you feel you are not appreciated enough by the agreement we reached during your interview process, please make sure to turn in your building access credentials to HR.

Signed,

Your Manager.

Dear Manager,

I’m totally fine with my agreed upon compensation. I don’t feel any need to acknowledge the holiday season at work. Really, it’s fine. Please cancel the potluck because no one wants to do it except you. (And do you even?)

All the best,
Your employee

It was Fred in accountings idea. He likes to bring in his wife's ambrosia.

Anonymous wrote:Oh dear. I think it would be better to do nothing.

No, they are worse than nothing. I am not interested in cooking for my co-workers, nor do I want to eat their food.

Sorry, OP. My boss took us all out to lunch and gave us the afternoon off.

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, this is the norm in government.

It would be a lot more festive to just go out to eat and pay your own bill, rather than being forced to make or pick up food. Or, just order pizza or delivery or something.

Making people take time out of their non work hours to put on a work party with their own money isn't very festive.

I worked in federal offices at DoD and it’s usually a buy in to participate if it’s catered. I get it, it’s the govt so we don’t have a fund for parties. Usually the SES and 15s would chip in for booze and door prizes.

Most staff agreed we would rather pay 20 bucks and go out or leave early. Leadership still forces fun.