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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Having to supply your own food to a work's do...

58 replies

CalmTheFarm · 28/10/2016 07:18

A long term colleague is leaving next Friday and my company have organised a leaving do for her. They are organising a BBQ (even though the colleague is vegetarian) except we have been told all the workers have to bring a contribution and the company will supply the meat (cheap sausages like the last time)

This is private sector and only a company of 20 odd people, they have also put on morning teas etc before for other works dos and because this leaving do was initiated by the CEO I think it is extremely unfair to ask workers to contribute, Aibu?!

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 28/10/2016 08:05

How many are in your department? Can you all put in £1 to buy the salad? For £5 I bet you could get enough lettuce tomatoes and cucumber to serve 20 people. Fill up on cheap sausages and you won't have to have lunch that day. Job done.

BreatheDeep · 28/10/2016 08:06

I work for a large corporate American company in the UK. They pay for Christmas do's and will fund work celebration do's (meeting targets, winning awards etc). But they don't fund leaving do's or anything else. I don't think they're being unreasonable. At least they're providing the BBQ and meat. (seems an odd choice for a vegetarian in November but hey-ho)

MissElphabaThropp · 28/10/2016 08:06

So it's basically a bring and share? That's what we've often done where I've worked. Personally I'd ignore the cheap sausages and enjoy what others have supplied.

If your team are on salad then pasta salad or cous cous is perfect, and cheaply done, especially split between a team.

MsJamieFraser · 28/10/2016 08:07

I don't see a issue, money is very tight for businesses, if makes sense that people contribute to the event.

Bishybishybarnabee · 28/10/2016 08:12

Seems reasonable and what we do at work, althougly I do work for a charity which may make a difference. We tend to do bring and share type things, makes it more interesting than everyone bringing their own sandwiches, and means those that want to can 'show off' their culinary skills.

wobblywonderwoman · 28/10/2016 08:14

We do this..everyone brings in a dish or two pound to club together

NoahVale · 28/10/2016 08:14

perhaps someone should note what everyone is bringing, so they dont get 10 pasta salads?

Trifleorbust · 28/10/2016 08:18

I have no issue with people contributing because money is tight, but in that case the company should leave the leaving do to staff to organise. It isn't reasonable to put a compulsory event in the diary and expect people to pay for it Hmm

Statelychangers · 28/10/2016 08:21

I think given this is happening during working hours and therefore attendance is required the company should pay....on the other hand it's unusual for a company to fund a leaving do or to allow people to attend during the working day, when they should be working! It's all a bit unconventional.

ShowMeTheElf · 28/10/2016 08:27

Don't spend more than you would normally for lunch. If everyone provides enough food for one person and the company provides the barbecue there will be loads.

Forfrigssake · 28/10/2016 08:35

Charity sector worker here, this is standard for us! Christmas 'parties' are always either some crummy local hall that was FOC or in the office with everyone agreeing to bring in something to share. We've had a spate of people leaving recently and their leaving 'drinks' have been a bottle of cava in the office and their closest colleagues buying a few cakes and crisps. When I left to go on maternity leave my leaving gift was....nothing! And I get on with everyone!

LadyStoic · 28/10/2016 08:48

BBQ? In November??!

Confused

Sod the salad, I'd be focused on remembering my coat.

YoHoHoandabottleofTequila · 28/10/2016 09:14

I'm NHS, we have to provide everything ourselves so I don't see the problem.

Trifleorbust · 28/10/2016 09:18

The problem is if it's a three-line whip.

Aderyn2016 · 28/10/2016 09:23

The problem is that the enployer has decided that this event will take place (in company time so impossible to opt out of) but has passed the cost on to the employees. They can't turn up with nothing because it will hurt the person who is leaving. It's not great behaviour from the company.
I hate other people spending my money for me. I'm generally very happy to contribute but I like to be asked not told!

NoahVale · 28/10/2016 09:30

we would have to make sure it was a lunch time event here, in the NHS, and also provide our own food

RB68 · 28/10/2016 09:31

I would suggest if the department is responsible all fling in 50p and go from there as buying together will be cheaper than individually

RB68 · 28/10/2016 09:34

Oh and as the Co Director that does the accounts its because its none tax deductible and would be seen as a taxible benefit by HMRC so they are saving you hassle really.

HOWEVER having said that it doesn't hurt to dig into their own personal pockets to show some staff appreciation in my view

DesolateWaist · 28/10/2016 09:40

I'm a teacher and we have to pay for everything ourselves. Tea and coffee, Christmas dos, books, pens, paper....

We had a big retirement do for a few people a couple of years ago and we had to pay to attend.

I don't see the problem, why should the company pay?

Lilaclily · 28/10/2016 09:44

Think yourself lucky you're having a work do during the working day ! Can you imagine the riot in the public sector : we're closing the school, hospital for a bbq Grin

daisypond · 28/10/2016 09:59

I work in the private sector, and I think this is OK/normal. If you're having the do in work time, then that could be seen as the company's contribution anyway.

Aderyn2016 · 28/10/2016 10:01

The company should pay if it is insisting on the event and it is taking place during work hours ( therefore taking the choice to attend out of the employees hands). Public sector is a bit different because the money doesn't belong to the company but to the public.

ChuckBiscuits · 28/10/2016 10:16

I don't see the problem, why should the company pay?

Because they have organised it!

YoHoHoandabottleofTequila · 28/10/2016 10:38

At least you get time to go, if we have a leaving thing in a hospital we have to go two at a time as you can't leave a ward with no staff.

pringlecat · 28/10/2016 11:58

RB68 Er, no. Staff entertainment is always tax deductible for the business and depending on how much they've spent so far this year (judging by the OP's reaction, nothing) it may well be an exempt benefit so not taxable on the staff.

(misses the point)

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