A manager has been criticized for demanding an ‘insane’ amount for a colleague’s departure and ‘guilting’ an employee who could not afford to pay.
The anonymous British employee wrote to a career expert Ben Askins and revealed their fate.
A screenshot showed the tense exchange between the manager and their employee, with each employee having to pay £50 (AUD$100) for the gift.
“Hey, notice you haven’t paid for Josh’s going away gift yet. Can you give me the [$100] Today? I want to receive the purchase before the end of the day,” the boss wrote to the employee.
‘May I ask why it is so expensive? Money is a little tight right now and it feels like a lot to be asked to put so much into it,” the humble employee said.
But the manager showed no compassion.
“Josh has been leading the company for three years now and I think it is a nice gesture to show our appreciation.”
The employee argued, “I appreciate that, but he makes so much more money than I do, and it feels weird being asked to put in so much, especially since I’ve never really worked with him.”
A manager has been criticized for demanding an ‘insane’ amount for a colleague’s farewell gift
“This is mandatory, I’m afraid,” the manager wrote back. ‘It’s not fair of me to ask some people and not others. Besides, all things considered, it’s not that much.”
“Okay, I’ll send the money right away,” the employee agreed.
Mr Askins criticized the manager’s ‘heartless’ approach.
“Oh no, I don’t like this at all,” said Mr. Askins. “Look, I don’t mind leaving gifts as a concept, but companies have to pay for it.”
He added: ‘What I really don’t like is this approach where employees are put under pressure to put in a lot of money.
‘Because it leads to a problem where the highest people get more money – exactly like this situation.
“And people may not have that money. Companies must take responsibility, set a budget and pay for themselves.’
Ms. Askins revealed a situation where it was reasonable to spend your own money.
“If you want to get something small for your best friend at work, that’s completely different. That is well within your rights.
“But this mandatory ‘everyone has to cooperate’ is something I hate – and I think what this manager is doing is very bad – because [$100] is just ridiculous.’
Mr Askins also took issue with the manager claiming the amount was ‘not that much’.
‘That’s a very insensitive comment because it may not be much to the manager, but to the employee it’s clearly a lot. It’s just not fair what he’s doing.”
Many were also shocked.
“I get $10, but $100 is ridiculous – what are they buying?” someone asked.
“I’d just say I bought my own gift,” wrote another.
“I bet they don’t make everyone pay $100 when a lower-level employee leaves,” one employee noted.