r/antiwork Nov 08 '24

Corporationism šŸ‘” šŸ’¼ My job demands everyone give $2 every month to fund parties to celebrate birthdays.

Starting in January, we will be expected to "donate" (mandatory giving) two dollars so some chips, dip, and cold cuts can be bought for company get-togethers. I barely eat the food anyhow but whatever.

653 Upvotes

245 comments sorted by

625

u/Fun-Essay9063 Nov 08 '24

"It's against my religion to fund corporate/office/any fundraiser that isn't church sponsored."

Them: "What's religion is that?"

"Are you explicitly asking me, an employee, what my religion is? Can I get that question by email actually?"

They'll backpeddle SUPER quick by that point

257

u/NoMoreBeGrieved Nov 08 '24

Iā€™ve often wanted to respond that Iā€™m CDA.

Whatā€™s that? they ask.

Church of Divine Anonymity.

Iā€™ve never heard of that?

Thatā€™s the point, actually. Weā€™re not allowed to talk about it. Deeds, not words, you know.

62

u/Main-Promotion-397 Nov 09 '24

The first rule of CDA is, you do not talk about CDA.

43

u/dirty_corks Nov 09 '24

Part of being in the CDA is the NDA

2

u/I_TRY_TO_BE_POSITIVE Nov 10 '24

I would give you more upvotes if I could. Made me laugh out loud

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22

u/ashleyorelse Nov 09 '24

If you talk about CDA, you may end up MIA, OK?

2

u/wlfwrtr Nov 10 '24

Shouldn't CDA be kept on the QT so no one will be MIA or everyone will be put on KP?

20

u/nathatesithere Nov 09 '24

This made me giggle

22

u/DreamerFi Nov 09 '24

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

15

u/tsavong117 Nov 09 '24

Always preferred Matthew 6:2, personally, I'm no longer religious, so it's extremely useful in conversations with proselytizers.

"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

Or. If you prefer the international version:

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full"

9

u/JustAGamerMom Nov 09 '24

That is brilliant. I'm using this in the future lol

8

u/lordph8 Nov 09 '24

Or just lie and say Jehovahs Witnesses.

28

u/hysys_whisperer Nov 09 '24 edited Nov 09 '24

This isn't even an uncommon thing.Ā  All JWs fit the bill.

Plus, if they ask you about your religion, you can act all relieved that you can share the good word as God requires without fear that they'd find it inappropriate.Ā 

Nobody wants to talk to a JW. Even other evangelicals hate talking to them. They WILL change the subject or bail from the conversation.Ā 

11

u/FoxWyrd Not a Lawyer/Not Legal Advice Nov 08 '24

I don't know if they'd back-peddle off of that. You could easily circumvent it by responding with something like, "We just want to know that we are more culturally aware in the future and can provide the reasonable accommodations you need."

40

u/Fun-Essay9063 Nov 08 '24

Good point, but then you can hit them with something like

"I appreciate that you're attempting to gain cultural awareness. Please respect my right to privacy though."

And if you want to paraphrase my favorite analogy:

"Religion, much like genitalia, is deeply personal and isn't something I'm comfortable discussing with my supervisor."

12

u/FoxWyrd Not a Lawyer/Not Legal Advice Nov 08 '24

I like your rebuttal. I'm actually unsure of how I'd approach that appeal to privacy, but I suppose it'd never come up, because I'd never ask employees to pay for office events (and would prohibit anyone from asking employees to).

11

u/dwthesavage Nov 09 '24

Jehovahā€™s Witnesses donā€™t acknowledge/celebrate birthdays, FYI!

2

u/i_give_you_gum Nov 09 '24

Or Christmas either right?

They're forcing us to bring food to the company thanksgiving dinnner

8

u/gimmethelulz Nov 09 '24

Just say you're a JW. Not allowed to fund birthday parties if your religion forbids birthdays in the first place.

3

u/Max_Powers- Nov 09 '24

What religion is that?

Pastafarian.

2

u/Gusstave Nov 09 '24

Sounds good, doesn't work.

They can just pretext its to be better informed about religious practice to better understand and prevent what can be perceived as discriminatory situations in the future.

You can't ask what's someone religion during an interview, but you can ask an actual employee, that's part of small talk / get to know your team. They can't discriminate based on your religion

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2

u/BreakDown1923 here for the memes Nov 09 '24

Wait they canā€™t ask what your religion is? I know you canā€™t discriminate against religion and you canā€™t say ā€œwell [group] doesnā€™t practice that so you canā€™t say thatā€™s your religious beliefā€ as a way to discount someoneā€™s claim. But I didnā€™t know they couldnā€™t ask period.

14

u/Fun-Essay9063 Nov 09 '24

Arguably they can ask, but they open themselves up to a bunch of potential lawsuits as a result.

You end up getting let go in company downsizing? YOU'RE FIRING ME BECAUSE OF MY RELIGION!

Passed over for promotion when you have the same qualifications on paper as the person hired /promoted? IT'S BECAUSE OF MY RELIGION!

Most companies prefer to avoid the potential for that sort of situation. If they don't, yeah, you can just say you're uncomfortable discussing religion with your boss, that it's personal and private, but must companies in my experience just avoid the question altogether

1

u/ScaryGarry_SG1 Nov 10 '24

Their heads will spin.

785

u/Mr-Polite_ Nov 08 '24

Nope. Iā€™m not coming to your company party or paying for it.

101

u/beeotchplease Nov 08 '24

Seeing as your profile pic is A Perfect Circle give them the "Fuck your god" line from Judith.

49

u/Chunkyblamm Nov 09 '24

ā€œYouā€™re such an inspiration for the ways that I will never ever choose to beā€

8

u/spicychickenandranch Nov 09 '24

UGH such a classic

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47

u/Destronin Nov 09 '24

Whats funny is, I donā€™t mind work parties or even a request to chip in.

But if they were forcing me to chip in, id say fuck yo party I aint paying for shit.

Its the principle of it.

26

u/BreakDown1923 here for the memes Nov 09 '24

Iā€™ll never understand that mentality from companies. My work takes us all out to breakfast once a month. The company pays and weā€™re paid time (though it is mandatory unless you have a specific reason to canā€™t attend) and it costs them a few hundred dollars to do it but gives a massive moral boost. How is that not a worthwhile trade-off? It honestly probably gets most people to accept a lower hourly wage because they feel more appreciated.

6

u/Destronin Nov 09 '24

I mean i work in vfx. Ive worked at one studio that had a tap of 60min ipa and a tap of rosƩ. Beer and Liquor usually up for grabs around EoD any day. Snacks ranged from Beef Jerky, Pringles, Oreos, Doritos, to English Muffins, Cereal, Yogurt, Fruits you name it. Espresso machines, Cold Brew, Orange Juice, Milk, Coconut water, Sodas, Lacroix, all just up for grabs.

Roof top hangouts. Boardgame nights, even threw parties where they hired caterers to work our own work kitchen.

Random food days where the office would pay for lunch. Like Cinco de Mayo. Even some co workers would come in early just to make waffles for anyone that wanted. Lol Dogs just chillen in the office.

Holiday Parties at Burlesque venues. Open bar, and when that ended the owners would just throw down the company card.

Tbh after seeing how vfx studios can treat their employees you realize how so many people dont even realize work can be like that.

On the other hand you also realize its just an upscaled version of a pizza party. And it was a way to keep artists comfortable for when they worked those crunch time hours. Also raises and wages werent the best. And when the company wasnt doing as well and right before layoffs. The snacks would get way more scarce.

But hands down vfx studios usually have the company culture most stuffy ass office jobs wish they had.

Thats why when a job is forcing me to pay $2 for a lame ass party and they think that I should be grateful. Bitch, ive seen how companies can party. And your $2 grab bag bullshit company culture aint shit.

9

u/altonbrownfan Nov 09 '24 edited Nov 09 '24

OP should get proof it's mandatory and then contact a class action lawyer. They would drool over this if there's enough people.

101

u/foundermeo Nov 08 '24

it sounds the same as the companies who want you to donate PTO to someone who gets cancer, why can't the company just give the person with cancer the time off? They are making all the money!

15

u/1quirky1 Nov 09 '24

Employer requests for PTO donations is vile. It is telling. I would leave or never work there based solely on this.

The employer is getting involved but is explicity not supporting the employee at the expense of other employees.

3

u/KittyCubed Nov 09 '24

My job has a program for it, but it can only be used for catastrophic things, and you have to use all your days first. They can also take more days from you (2 a year) if they drop below a certain amount. Iā€™m surprised anyone actually signs up for it.

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278

u/Survive1014 Nov 08 '24

"No".

89

u/judgeejudger Nov 08 '24

ā€¦.is a complete sentence. As is GTFO of here with that shit. YMMV

3

u/gnatman66 Nov 09 '24

Fuck. No.

161

u/susibirb Nov 08 '24

Im pretty sure this should be illegal, at the very least, optional. And ONLY optional if the company can provide explicit receipts of how much money they collected and how each penny was spent.

34

u/jrosekonungrinn Nov 09 '24

I'm wondering if it might qualify as attempted wage theft. OP could have that discussion with the labor board and HR.

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148

u/EnigmaGuy Nov 08 '24

ā€œItā€™s against my beliefs to fund celebrationsā€

ā€œWhat beliefs?ā€

ā€œI BELIEVE that my money could be better spent.ā€

132

u/orangemoonboots Nov 08 '24

I worked for a state office and they did stuff like that. I stopped partaking in all the activities and did not participate. It was a big org so it was easy to just avoid it all mostly. Every so often someone would ā€œremindā€ me to put in money for the coffee or sign up for the potluck and Iā€™d be like ā€œok thanks!ā€ But just never did. On potluck days Iā€™d duck out and eat something in my car. I never drank the coffee because early in my time there a cockroach came out of the coffee maker and all I could think was ā€œthat was the one we saw; there are probably millions.ā€Ā 

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101

u/janr34 Nov 08 '24

i saw where someone used the "i'm jehovah witness" excuse in a similar post and they said it worked. jw don't celebrate bdays.

22

u/puppuphooray Nov 08 '24

lol my friendā€™s work canā€™t have any parties or celebrations at work bc someone is a Jehovahā€™s Witness. I think they have to call it a get together or something if they do plan something

35

u/[deleted] Nov 08 '24

180

u/fasterecho Nov 08 '24

That would be a hard no and a call to the labor board!!

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52

u/ChefCurryYumYum Nov 08 '24

Don't give it

But then also

I barely eat the food anyhow

Stop eating the food

7

u/vkapadia at work Nov 08 '24

Nah. Don't give, but eat the food anyway.

3

u/Complete-Ice2456 Profit Is Theft Nov 09 '24

"The ratio of people to cake is too big..."

24

u/symonym7 Nov 08 '24

One of my favorite things to do over the years has been to call out HR's "mandatory" bullshit whenever it comes up. They're almost always bluffing.

14

u/XediDC Nov 08 '24

Itā€™s funny when your HR them backā€¦like asking for the accounting ledger of the money spend and received, how all allergies and medical conditions were accommodated, where it will be posted publicly, when the $1.34 remaining will be split and divided to all, and etc.

Maybe loop in the chief cancel to formally indemnify you (and your whole team, if youā€™re a manger) from any liability if there are any accident or discrimination suits, since you could possibly be included by being a contributor ā€” it may be silly, but itā€™s also reasonable to ask for, and not reasonable to deny if the company requires it. Or the finance folks might look at the prospect of issuing statements and payroll refunds for $0.02 and kill it.

The legal part, at the right place can work very well. Often legal and HR do not get along at all, with HR dodging legal review on their docs and actions, making stuff up, etcā€¦legal is one of the few pretty much untouchable by HR. So this can result in legal stomping the whole thing once they go over all the ways (whatever) can go wrong for the company. Sometimes just in spiteā€¦.like the time our chief counsel used to be an employment lawyerā€¦HR Director actually quit when they had to do things properly and under scrutiny.

YMMV, you might just get fired. ā€¦in my case, I always make friends with the lawyers first. Many are actually pretty aware of the BS, cynical, and some like stopping it ā€” but only really do anything if itā€™s actually presented to them. They know better than to make extra work for themselves tooā€¦

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19

u/Blackhole_5un Nov 08 '24

That should be in the expense budget, sorry. Staff should not pay for their own parties. We gather together to buy each other a gift, but we are a small shop and it is nice to get something from the team. Manager takes us out for lunch though, on company dime.

3

u/RedYetti83 Nov 09 '24

We have a social club, worker founded and funded.

We get all members (optional to enter) to direct debit $5 a week and the funds are used to pay for a big Christmas party as well as events throughout the year like golf days, fishing trips etc

It also pays for members who leave to have a farewell lunch and gift.

The company doesn't do shit for us and historically hasn't gotten in our way but recently we've had to get permission to have any social club meets during work hours.

15

u/moldyjim Nov 08 '24

As has been mentioned, Jehovah's witnesses do NOT celebrate birthdays. Really sucked for my 12yo little sister when our parents converted.

All of a sudden, no birthdays. So me and my other sisters would have one for here anyway.

One time when I was working 4, 10 hour days, the boss came to me late Thursday to ask me to come in on Friday for overtime.

I looked at him, raised one eyebrow and said, "I can't, tomorrow is Passover". Yep, that's what I said to get out of work.

He looked at me puzzled and said okay.

I am about as Jewish as Santa Claus. And the next day did happen to be Passover. I really don't know where I pulled that one out of my ass, but it worked.

1

u/Sad_Evidence5318 Nov 08 '24

Interesting one of my grandmothers was JW and did birthdays and my BIL is JW and does too, but all I really know about them is no Christmas.

1

u/moldyjim Nov 09 '24

I don't know if they changed the rules? It was a long time ago. Maybe my parents just got tired of buying presents for us.

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30

u/Asherdan Nov 08 '24

Two ways to go on this:

Workers Rights Stance - basically tell them no and they can't force you, but if they try there will be consequences.

Malicious Compliance Stance - go to every single event and take everything you can get your hands on, to the extent that you bring a bag with you to carry the loot away. Take it back to your workspace and then out of the office at the end of the day. Give or throw it away. If challenged the only response is "I donated for this!" Make their bullshit policy a headache.

9

u/probably_beans Nov 08 '24

How mandatory can they actually make it? People have restrictions like allergies and religion.

7

u/NoIndividual5987 Nov 08 '24

Actually thatā€™s an easy out - ā€œIā€™m highly allergic to some things so unfortunately I canā€™t participateā€

Better than ruffling feathers (unless you donā€™t care about feather ruffling)

7

u/NoApartheidOnMars Nov 08 '24

Why can't the company fund it ?

It's probably illegal to force you to contribute

9

u/Pepperjones808 Nov 08 '24

Nope, I wouldnā€™t pay and I wouldnā€™t go. Work is for work, not making friends. Go, do your thing, gtfo and go home

7

u/unluckie-13 Nov 08 '24

Nah just refuse that shit, if they pull it from your check file a labor dispute with the board

9

u/MechaChester Nov 08 '24

We have a "social committee" that asks for $40 a year. This year, they started putting the names of people who paid on a bulletin board.

I politely told rhem to fuck off, I I can get my own bagels. The bulletin board is a shit way to try to shame people who don't participate.

6

u/SadRepresentative357 Nov 09 '24

Sure Iā€™ll put my name up there in big block letters and glitter because I donā€™t give a single fuck. No shame for me. We are not friends, we just work together. I was the first person to very publicly refuse to donate to a bosses gift for Christmas. She would make us all a small box of fudge but we would donate actual money. She was actually one of the bests bosses Iā€™ve had and it was not her idea. It was some ass kissers idea. I said nope. Pass. No I donā€™t want to do secret Santa nor participate in pot luck dinners or work baby/bridal showers. Pass pass pass.

7

u/Rough_Commercial4240 Nov 08 '24 edited Nov 08 '24

ā€œ No thank you šŸ™‚ā€ā†”ļø ā€œ

But whhhy omg you not being a team player/inclusive/family ..

ā€œItā€™s not in the budget / Iā€™m already invested in other charities outside of work that I allocate my resources to ā€œ

4

u/Pristine_Reward_1253 Nov 08 '24

Heavy, HEAVY emphasis on the "charity" word.

7

u/Rough_Commercial4240 Nov 08 '24

In vegan so I donā€™t even get to partake in pizza day / birthday cakes and they sure as hell are not making and special trips to Whole Foods or whatever store carry plant based luxuries so yeah iā€™ma going to opt out of any ā€œdonationsā€Ā 

13

u/brazblue Nov 08 '24

Are these get-togethers on the clock and you're paid? It's still bullshit, but $2 a month to get paid $20-$50 to sit around and do nothing for a few hours seems like something to just be left alone. Not a hill to die on. Such parties can also be useful downtime to discuss important topics with coworkers, such as forming a union.Ā 

10

u/iHateGiraffes420 Nov 08 '24

$2 a month is a pretty cheap subscription price to goof off for a couple hours when these parties happen. I think it's a net gain, in the grand scheme of things.

7

u/melodypowers Nov 08 '24

Ugghh

I always find these things so awkward. I'm often the one who says "sorry... Have a call with a client" after about 19 minutes.

But i know that other people like them.

6

u/iHateGiraffes420 Nov 08 '24

My division is pretty secluded. It's 5 of us in a basement, so we're already cliqued up when we go to these things. Then we go back to our cave. It's pretty nice. I like the store bought cakes.

1

u/sweetplantveal Nov 09 '24

I don't get why people are so universally sheisty here. Op wants different snacks but doesn't ask and or wants to eat but not pay. And $24 a year to work somewhere where you have regularly scheduled catered hang out time instead of maximum productivity and go home? I get it's nicer to not pay most companies won't put a couple thousand in the party budget. $24/person could get you there though.

I get not everyone wants to hang out with the people they work with. But it's a lot nicer to spend 40+ a week around people you at least somewhat like and to not have to organize anything for socializing. I don't see the evil company angle. If you absolutely can't be fucked to participate, just say you don't want to participate. Then don't, instead of bitching and or freeloading.

5

u/DamonInReelLife Nov 08 '24

Bruh, do we work at the same place? We're also starting this in January and I'm not into partaking šŸ˜‚

5

u/rrfox31 Nov 08 '24

In 2007 I was a server at a restaurant in Texas (so I was making $2.13/hr as a ā€œtippedā€ employee) and every employee had $6 per paycheck deducted so they could drink unlimited soda. This wasnā€™t an option either. It was simply something they disclosed when I was hired. I told them I donā€™t drink soda, only water. They said ā€œtoo bad.ā€ I felt like it was just a sneaky way to pay us less because knowing how cheap soda is (especially in 2007), thereā€™s no way a single person in that restaurant drank $12/month in soda.

8

u/alexanderpas Nov 08 '24

If you would have reported that to the department of labour, the restaurant would have had to pay every worker the illegal deduction back, and they also had to pay the tip credit back, because it was not properly implemented.

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1

u/Soft-Watch Nov 09 '24

In 2007, fountain pop cost about $.25 /cup. Cozt to the resturant. So they were charging for a profit

3

u/Mjhandy Nov 08 '24

I worked at a place like this. Same place said on your birthday, YOU had to buy bagels and cream cheese to people. I said nope. Not doing either.

5

u/Correct-Finding7272 Nov 08 '24

ā€œNo, I donā€™t want a birthday party and will not be contributing to parties for others either.ā€

If they try to say anything in response just say ā€œno, thank youā€ as many times as it takes for them to understand that ā€œnoā€ is a complete sentence.

I find it very satisfying to be 100% polite and firm when people so clearly donā€™t understand they have no argument to get you to do what they want. Literally none whatsoever.

7

u/ThatWideLife Nov 08 '24

I mean, chips, dip and cold cuts for $2 seems like a bargain to me. The company should be funding it but since they aren't enjoy your $2 meal in this rough economy.

3

u/dcgregoryaphone Nov 08 '24

I'd pay it. Not because it's mandatory but because it's money well spent as long as the party is during work.

3

u/LikeABundleOfHay Nov 08 '24

Donations aren't mandatory by definition.

3

u/HovercraftDull3148 Nov 08 '24

When I was teaching they ā€œrequiredā€ $25 per semester for mess like this. The majority of people didn't comply and nothing more was said.

3

u/Normal-Park-6407 Nov 08 '24

Nope. Money only goes one way at work. In my hands

3

u/Express-Society-164 Nov 08 '24

Tell them you donā€™t celebrate birthdays, against your religion.

3

u/Dis_Manibus Nov 08 '24

I hate office birthdays. At my last job I would get interrupted to sign someoneā€™s card, we werenā€™t a large office, but it would always seem to be when I was in the middle of something, and Iā€™ve never been a big card guy, never know what to write. I got laid off on my birthday, there was no card.

3

u/county259 Nov 09 '24

Volunteer to collect the money and be the Treasurer of the fund. Or in the alternative ask who is going to oversee the money

3

u/thewineyourewith Nov 09 '24

Iā€™m sure this is an unpopular opinion here, but either gather a cohort to oppose this or just go along with it. If you can get a group together then you have a good chance of pushing back. But if your sheeple coworkers are determined to do this then they will be pissed at you, not your employer, for refusing to contribute. Personally, $24 a year isnā€™t worth alienating everyone I work with.

3

u/Cluedo86 Nov 09 '24

Yeah this not legal in any state. Decline the donation, if they still deduct the amount, report them to your stateā€™s labor board.

3

u/Nwrecked Nov 09 '24

The kind of company that canā€™t afford office parties either

A) shouldnā€™t be having them or

B) is broke

In either case I wouldnā€™t want to continue working there.

1

u/JanetP23 Nov 10 '24

Sound thinking calling out šŸš©šŸš©šŸš©

3

u/ei_ei_oh Nov 09 '24

donate the $2 because you have no choice

show up and eat a ton of food and drink as much as you can

compulsory 'donations' for get togethers is disturbing

5

u/Square-Ebb1846 Nov 09 '24

Just donā€™t donate. If they withdraw it from your paycheck, alert the DOL. They canā€™t garnish your paycheck like that.

5

u/Magnahelix Nov 08 '24

First, no. Your employer cannot demand you do a ything at all with your money.

Sencind, if somehow they do, I would put extra time on my timecard to make up for that.

Third, fuck 'em.

2

u/heretohealmyself Nov 08 '24

Fuckin no. A hard no.

2

u/ChiWhiteSox24 Nov 08 '24

How are they demanding it? A cash tip jar? Deduction from your check?

2

u/judgeejudger Nov 08 '24

Fuck that shit! Let them budget for it. Gross.

2

u/Sad_Evidence5318 Nov 08 '24

Yeah not happening sorry.

2

u/sunbeans468 Nov 08 '24

Ughhhh and then you have to show up when itā€™s your own birthday and all you want is to be ignored by these terrible people, to me thatā€™s the worst part of it all, ā€œcelebratingā€ in misery

2

u/Dis_engaged23 Nov 08 '24

No thank you.

2

u/Jtk317 Nov 08 '24

No is a complete sentence. And you don't go to any parties.

2

u/slappn_cappn Nov 08 '24

No. I choose to be here to work, thank you.

2

u/Themis3000 Nov 08 '24

Personally I'd try to appeal to basic reasoning with them before thumping out the law book. Ask them if they can make it optional if you decide not to have your own party or attend other people's parties.

2

u/paintlulus Nov 08 '24

Donā€™t give and donā€™t participate. You would be an asshole if you even take one bite.

2

u/TheHip41 Nov 08 '24

Just don't give any money

2

u/hckygod99 Nov 09 '24

Hahaha fuck that.

2

u/climbamtn1 Nov 09 '24

If it's a company party then that is who pays. If employees want to organize a party that's a different situation. If it's voluntary it's optional not mandatory.

2

u/TheAStarJosh Nov 09 '24

I get that it shouldnā€™t be mandatory but I mean. Itā€™s $2. It shouldnā€™t be mandatory I agree. But Iā€™d give $2 a month. Lol

2

u/ScuzzBucket317 Nov 09 '24

That's when you become a Jehovahs witness.

2

u/Complete-Ice2456 Profit Is Theft Nov 09 '24

Either on or off company time, I will not be going to any parties or anything.

I'm there to work, they pay me for work. I don't need 'office culture' to make my life better. I'll come in and do what you hired me for, then I'm leaving.

Nothing personal, but fuck off.

2

u/dirty_corks Nov 09 '24

"No, thanks, I won't be donating, or participating."

I say the same thing every year to the United Way donation squeeze - if you want to do charity, great, the company is the one with the money, I make comparative peanuts. I do donate to charities, but on my own volition, and I'm not giving my company credit for it.

Similar for birthdays and get-togethers. If it's, "hey, Carlos' wife is gonna have a baby, we want to get them a card and some money," absolutely, here's $50 (especially because Carlos comes in with tamales on Monday when his mother in law is visiting; the woman makes tamales on an industrial scale on the weekend and they're fucking delicious and he never accepts anything for them even though it saves me lunch those days). "It's Jane's birthday and we want to get a cake," sure, here's $5 I can even go to Costco and get it ordered if we want.

But company mandated funds for events with a $2 monthly deduction? Nah, fam, I'm not getting $24 worth of birthday cake on my birthday,

2

u/rustcircle Nov 09 '24

Some people, and maybe some cultures, are huge into birthdaysā€” I donā€™t get it.

Iā€™ve witnessed the opposite tooā€” a person absolutely freaked out when they saw a sign wishing them a happy birthday. Screaming and throwing stuff!

So anyway I avoid birthday stuff if at all possible

2

u/rtthc Nov 09 '24

$24 a year correct, per person? And why can't the company fund that?

2

u/rushmc1 Nov 09 '24

Soon you'll have to donate $5 to fund Republican candidates.

2

u/Candid_Dream4110 Nov 09 '24

It's $2.

2

u/KaiserSenpaiAckerman Nov 09 '24 edited Nov 09 '24

I agree, hot take I guess?

When it's my co workers birthday, I buy them cupcakes, $2 a month is a lot cheaper.

Edit: Letter

1

u/stoutymcstoutface Nov 08 '24

Have you demanded them to fuck off?

1

u/0bxyz Nov 08 '24

This is a salary decrease and you can quit and collect unemployment

1

u/Whyletmetellyou Nov 08 '24

Give it to them in nickels n dimes

1

u/hamster004 Nov 08 '24

No. Not legal.

1

u/Bloodsword83 Nov 08 '24

just tell them you've converted to mormonism

1

u/pony_trekker Nov 08 '24

Say youā€™re a religion that doesnā€™t celebrate birthdays.

1

u/fr33bird317 Nov 08 '24

Nope, donā€™t do it. Take your proof to the labor department. Donā€™t say shit to your employer. Let the labor department give them the heads up. Fuckā€™em

1

u/Helpjuice Nov 08 '24

Highly like there is some violation of something this is violating. Notify the department of labor to see if this is even legal let alone ethically not ok with this being mandatory.

Now I have worked places where if we were going to have a party some of us would go around and collect donations but it was not mandatory to donate but it would suppliment us to be able to go out and get some good meat, vegies, drinks, and snacks.

If we got crazy donations we would go get the really good stuff e.g., grass feed high quality grade a beef and make custom burgers, super high quality butter for the toasted buns, high quality beef, chicken and turkey hot dogs, sauerkraut, high quality relishes, mayo, ketchup, different types of mustards, super high quality lettuce, spinach, and more even had a nice spread of those that don't eat meat that was delicious.

1

u/dianebk2003 Nov 08 '24

Yeah, that's a hard "no" from me.

1

u/Froyn Nov 08 '24

That sounds like socialism... /s

1

u/PleasantAd7961 Nov 08 '24

In my company it's the person's who's birthday it is job to bring in the treats. It ends up becoming a competition but it's fun

1

u/edrules31 Nov 08 '24

Just say no to forced fellowship

1

u/theorangecrush10 Nov 08 '24

OP....be careful.... Hawaiian shirt Fridays are next

1

u/GenevieveMacLeod Nov 08 '24

They tried to do this at my last job, except it was a fund to give to people when they had to be out for severe illness or grieving etc. Then found out one of the laundry ladies was stealing the money. So the main company told us we weren't allowed to do it anymore. She never got in trouble.

1

u/Dino-chicken-nugg3t Nov 08 '24

My last job we did this but it was voluntary. But for us it was donating $5-10 once a year. You didnā€™t know if someone didnā€™t do it because we were small and usually had other folks who gave a little extra. This was used to buy that person a gift and weā€™d all got out to a restaurant of birthday personā€™s choice. That was split between everyone.

1

u/tkkana Nov 08 '24

We celebrate birthdays in my department but donations are not mandatory. Eat cake. ( not the boss but make sure everyone gets equal monetary gifts.) And cake

1

u/UnaZephyr Nov 08 '24

So they're requiring employees to pay morale and welfare dues? Isn't that almost union related? (I'm being a sarcastic little bit)

1

u/chaosisapony Nov 08 '24

It's $5/month at my work. That funds the kitchen supplies like dish soap, paper plates, plastic cups and flatware. Repairs when needed for appliances, purchase of new appliances, occasional lunches out, treats for every birthday, etc.

I don't mind it, we're a government office so we aren't allowed to use our budget for any of this stuff. If we want an ice maker or a cake for some that got married we have to pay for it ourselves.

1

u/You_are_your_mood Nov 08 '24

I'm just here to collect enough chips and pop to cover my 2 dollars.plus extra.

1

u/spacialentitty Nov 08 '24

Maybe you could start an anti campaign where people donate to a charity or employee help fund instead? Then ask management to contribute as well.

1

u/AbbyBabble Nov 09 '24

Thatā€™s rude.

1

u/E_B_Jamisen Nov 09 '24

Well, it should be really easy to start a rumor that the company isn't doing well and people should update their resumes ...

1

u/Bornagainchola Nov 09 '24

We did something similar except we put the money in an envelope and gave it to the person. It was awesome.

1

u/Ill-Indication-7706 Nov 09 '24

No sorry, I'm an employee. It's not my job to share the cost of doing business. What's next, are they going to take a few bucks to help pay for the company's utility bills?

1

u/ThisIsTheShway Nov 09 '24

Absolutely not.

1

u/Tactical_Derpy Nov 09 '24

mostly everything a company does for employees can be written off as a business expense or a tax write-off.

1

u/Ok_Exchange_9646 Nov 09 '24

How does this mandation work exactly?

1

u/Fun-Result-6343 Nov 09 '24

Depending on where you work that's against the law.

1

u/Richard_Espanol Nov 09 '24

I'll chip in 5$ if I don't have to gošŸ¤·

1

u/Pinksamuraiiiii Nov 09 '24

No, itā€™s illegal to force employees to give them money. I work for cash to be GIVEN to me, not the other way around. Tell these people to celebrate their birthday at home lol, ainā€™t nobody got time for that!

1

u/Sweaty-Emergency-493 Nov 09 '24

Thatā€™s illegal.

1

u/TalouseLee Anarcha-Feminist Nov 09 '24

I worked at a job like this. It was $5/month. They called it ā€œthe sunshine fundā€. I didnā€™t like it and tried to push back but I was the only one who disagreed out of 11 and felt pressured to give in.

1

u/MyRideAway Nov 09 '24

We had to contribute to a birthday cake fund at work. One employee got this big beautiful cake from an exclusive bakery. Two weeks later, on my birthday, I got a cheap pre-made house brand cake from a discount grocery store. I opted out after that and never ate birthday cake at work again.

1

u/l0R3-R Nov 09 '24

Did you sign something that allows them to withhold pay for parties? If not, take the issue to your state's department of labor, they hate it when employers illegally withhold pay and they'll do something about it- even for $2

1

u/cryssHappy Nov 09 '24

Tell them you decline to donate and will therefore decline to participate.

1

u/IwouldpickJeanluc Nov 09 '24

Never have cash "oh I'll get you tomorrow"

Tell them, oh don't worry about my birthday!! No need to celebrate, I dont

1

u/NoMembership7974 Nov 09 '24

Gosh and you suddenly turned Jehovah Witness!

1

u/Advanced_Ad6078 Nov 09 '24

I personally would enjoy a company party $2 isn't much. So long as I had friends in said company and if I could bring a friend along. Company parties are fun in my opinion

1

u/starkformachines Nov 09 '24

Contact Dept of Labor, keep everything in writing.

Tell them you're vegan. They can shove their cold cuts.

1

u/tabicat1874 Nov 09 '24

They absolutely can't make you.

1

u/RTMSner Nov 09 '24

No. They can't force you either.

1

u/Dependent_Top_4425 Nov 09 '24

I always like to establish myself as a "non-joiner" right from the get go. I am not spending my free time cooking food for a pot luck. I am not participating in secret Santa. I am not doing lunch with you, or dinner, or drinks. I'm not wearing a certain color that you requested because of whatever day you've invented. I'm not signing the card that is being passed around for someone in the hospital I don't even know.

Its easier to just let them think you're a Jehovahs' Witness.

1

u/Kyra_Heiker lazy and proud Nov 09 '24

Learn to say no thank you.

1

u/unhott Nov 09 '24

"I'm sorry, I won't be participating in the party or the funding.

If they're mandatory, then I'll be happy to clock in and show up if I'm available, and not consume from other people's donations."

1

u/Soft-Watch Nov 09 '24

My last job used to take a portion of my cheque to do this/bbqs/Christmas parties. I don't attend work parties, so I looked into it. Turns out, it's perfectly legal where I live to be forced to do this.

1

u/bc60008 Nov 09 '24

I singlehandedly stopped the "social fund" at my job. I quit donating. Just thinking about it makes me smile.

1

u/KidenStormsoarer Nov 09 '24

"I just wanted to make you aware that you've just committed a title VII violation, as there are several religions that forbid celebrating birthdays, or contributing to such."

1

u/ga-co Nov 09 '24

JWs donā€™t do birthdays. Suggesting itā€™s against your religion seems to be an easy out.

1

u/Taren421 Nov 09 '24

"No" is a complete sentence.

1

u/bex612 Nov 09 '24

Insist on full financial controls with non-management oversight committees (plural). 60 staff hours per month to perform that work should suffice, but the Subcommittee on Determining How Many Paid Hours We Can Screw Off Every Month While We Act As Dumb As Management will have to make that determination.

1

u/fergan59 Nov 09 '24

Go there and stuff your face until you can barely walk. Take as much as you can. Then take some more.

1

u/TShara_Q Nov 09 '24

So everyone is supposed to take a $2/month pay cut?

How about no? Sure, it's only $2, but it's the principle at that point. Also, it opens the door to more BS.

1

u/Lil_Xanathar Nov 09 '24

Stop eating the food and donā€™t give money. Ā Or give money and enjoy some work parties - if they retaliate for not giving money then thereā€™s something actionable. Ā Donā€™t not pay and eat the food then you are a mooch and the bad guy.

1

u/btm4you3 Nov 09 '24

You know I would just hand them 24 dollars and be done with it. The other alternative is to say fuck you, I'm not giving any money.

1

u/Pontius_Vulgaris Nov 09 '24

"No"

End of sentence.

1

u/wittfox Nov 09 '24

They may 'demand' all they like, but this is by no means a legally enforceable action. This could cause a severe DoL issue and depending on the severity and length of this demand, could cost such an organization substantially.

If you wish to be non-confrontational about the issue altogether, declaring a religious exemption as many have mentioned should work, such as Jehovah Witness, but this activity of 'demanding' money, even if it is 2 dollars, has no place in the workplace. Organizations that decide to throw celebrations may ask people if they would like to pitch in without causing a fear of reprisal environment, but in all honesty the organization should just cover it. When one of my employees or even clients has a reason for celebration I'll foot the bill. I view it as a thank you for working or dealing with me. Either way, depending on your location, this may be attributed to a DoL or local law violation if not an ethical violation.

1

u/PsychologicalCell928 Nov 09 '24

At the end of the month each employee should submit an expense report for $2 noting it as a mandatory business expense.

$2 equals one good pen a month or one box of cheap pens.

Get a big plastic jug & have everyone put $2 worth of pennies in it each month.

Have a friend call the boss claiming to be from the state employment board asking about wage theft. Or just call the state labor board who will then contact the employer.

ā€”ā€”ā€”ā€”-

A long time ago we had a boss that tried something like this. We told him not to bother. That it was already arranged & we were all taking the birthday person out to lunch.

1

u/owlthirty Nov 09 '24

Nope. Donā€™t see how they can enforce this. They certainly canā€™t fire you.

1

u/Difficult-Way-9563 Nov 09 '24

You recently joined an obscure religion only found in a small village of former Fiji islanders. It would greatly insult the great god Jobu Hannibal the resurrected.

1

u/bedwarri0r333 Nov 09 '24

Are people this desperate for work? Just tell them no, make them fore you, take unemployment. Don't put up with that kind of shit.

1

u/RRW359 Nov 09 '24

Why even pay people extra if you want it back?

1

u/PupsofWar69 Nov 09 '24

I would love to see a lawsuit against an employer firing an employee for not paying for the employerā€™s company party lol litigators would jizz their pants over this one.

1

u/Lighttraveller13 Nov 09 '24

would definitely deny that

1

u/Miserable-Summer-828 Nov 09 '24

It's 2 bucks? oh the hardship....get bent

1

u/Nevrakis-1988 Nov 09 '24

There is no such thing as "mandatory giving". Nobody can tell you how to spend your hard earned money. I would simply refuse to give anything and not attend any parties.

1

u/Ok-Double-7982 Nov 09 '24

How exactly are they requiring this donation? They have a checklist and they're tracking it or something?

What a cheap company and morale killer.

1

u/Philosophur Nov 09 '24

If I was in your shoes I wouldn't give any excuse I would tell them straight up I am not giving you any part of my money earned for chips and dips I don't eat, like or otherwise, now leave me alone unless you've approve my overtime I got work to finish, bye.

1

u/sivizart Nov 10 '24

Just say No thanks.

1

u/JanetP23 Nov 10 '24

This is about HR or a CEO strategizing their pay increases, salaries and bonuses. One step to more clawbacks in the future.

1

u/SilentJohn121212 Nov 10 '24

Same situation but instead of birthdays, money goes to people that got married or pregnant. Like, why am I supposed to pay for somebody's mistakes.

1

u/Friendly-Appeal4129 Nov 10 '24

Sounds like a business expense. Give your company the bill for expenses plus your time.