To think I didn't cross the line? Work related

[checkthetraderplease]

I'm a PA for a relatively medium sized company. I've been in the job about 8 weeks now.

Every year when the company celebrates another anniversary of starting, the MD takes everyone for a lunch, drinks, and we finish by 4pm.

In addition to this, the 'significant' staff get a Harrod's hamper. The task was given to me. Most people got one costing £120, the bigger fish got one for £400.

I was given the task to order them, not the 'number one' PA. I was hired so he could be more hands off with general PA work and accompany the MD more.

Anyway, I was told by the MD that I certainly MUST order myself one (I was not on the usual list).

I did... Except the one I ordered was different. It was £80 and I got it because it had a Harrod's teddy. DS got one when he was born so I thought it'd be nice to have another teddy for him.

Long story short, the number one PA said I really shouldn't have done that as he MD would've wanted the whole £120 spent and he might be quite surprised.

I've no idea what the big issue is (I saved him some money), and the number one PA said it just doesn't work like that.

MD is only holiday for two weeks now so it can't be brought up.

AIBU to think this is a bit silly and I didn't cross and lines? This PA seems very shocked at my behaviour. The MD didn't specify a specific one to order myself. He just said the money he wanted spent on each person.

I have an otherwise really good relationship with the other PA. He is an extremely nice man and very good at his job.

Hmmm, are the 120 ones all the same? Is there a chance that people will think you got "special treatment" for getting a different basket? You might know its 80 instead of 120, but others won't.

I think in the grand scheme of things it's not a massive issue, but this may be what the other PA was thinking. (Did the other PA get one?)

I would apologise (for sake of appearing polite and co operative in new job, not that I think you did anything wrong!) and move on. And make a mental note that the #1 PA and the MD appear to have a reputation for being... a bit of a stickler.

I agree with you that it seems a bit silly but it is now your job to get on with people who can be a bit silly, so just try to come to terms with it asap and life will be easier.

And Panties has a point - you don't want a situation where all the staff are ordering themselves different hampers...

£120 are all the same, chosen for their contents (lots of alcohol and cheese).

My hamper was half the size, if not smaller. It contained a teddy bear, chocolates and a bottle of Fizz, some olive oil and a bottle opener.

Yes the other PA got one too

Table Oh gosh I did! I was mortified and said I was really sorry if it came across badly

Try not to worry about it. I'm sure it will be forgotten very soon. When MD gets back from a fortnight off the hampers will be the last thing he thinks about.

I think it was one of those things where you meant well but inadvertently crossed a line. It’s best just to conform on stuff like this.

I wouldn't say you crossed a line as such.

But having been subject to office politics for a while I can see why, the main PA thinks it could be an issues.

Firstly all hampers costing the same stops people complaining.

You getting to hand pick the one you want, may any others as they may not really care for what in theirs and would have picked something else. I am sure more than you would have liked a harrods bear for their kids, neices/nephew etc. Some people may start saying they want to hand pick a different one.

I get why you did it. But personally, if everyone was getting the same, then you should have just ordered yourself the same.

Having only been their 8 weeks, I would have either checked it was ok or just orders myself the same as everyone else. Not ordered myself something different to everyone else.

Not a big deal - if asked just say you felt that £120
Was too much as you’ve been in the job a short time (don’t mention the teddy bear).

dramaqueen and likethsione I think you're both right!

For what's it worth though, nobody would've seen my hamper. We put them away downstairs and people are told when to come and collect.

We try and be quiet about it so not to offend most of the other staff who wouldn't have got one

I'm with scents - tell them it was because you felt bad taking the full £120 and don't mention the teddy!

Sorry, but I do think you have crossed a bit of a line here. I know you have saved the company money, but unless all staff have the opportunity to have something different then its not fair that you got to choose.

Oh, forgot to mention!

Our accountant is Muslim. I asked him if he wanted something else and he said "Are you joking? Bring on the booze please "

I was told to ask by the other PA.

If you crossed a line it was a really fucking invisible one

Ffs, very stickler-ey

Try to enjoy your treat

YY I agree with PPs. It isn't about the cost. It's about using your position to choose which hamper you wanted when no-one else was given that option.

I really can't see your senior leader giving two shits whta hamper everyone gets tbh.

I think 'number one' PA is on a little power trip. If that's how he gets his kicks then hey, whatever.

Forget about it. I'd bet the MD will not give a shiny shit.

I really can't see your senior leader giving two shits whta hamper everyone gets tbh this

Oh, forgot to mention!

Why did that need mentioning? It doesn't change anything.

FWIW, I agree with the others that it was a line cross, for the reasons given, but an inadvertently so so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Missing the point, but what kind of industry is this in, where multiple Harrods hampers are still getting ordered in the present economic climate?

Petty cringing and petty knobs....

enjoy your Hamper OP

I really can't see your senior leader giving two shits whta hamper everyone gets tbh.

I agree. But they might well give a shit if people start getting arsey and it becomes a bit of a 'no good deed goes unpunished' situation with people complaining about the hamper they got and also wanting to choose their own etc... People get very petty.

I am sure the MD won't care. If he asks you can say that as you haven't worked there very long you didn't want to seem cheeky by ordering the £120 hamper for yourself so you ordered a cheaper one. He really cannot argue with that logic.

I get the impression that the MD is a 'no expense spared' type of man.

He wanted £100 roses sent the other day to a friend's wife who isn't well. I found some beautiful ones on the website he suggested, for £90.

He declined and said £100 or more, no less! I had to use a different website because they didn't have those flowers for a higher price.

Don’t understand the relevance of you needing to mention the accountant being Muslim..