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.

Actually I was just going to say that “played a scenario to their advantage” is a very good way of summing up the mistake the OP made.

@DarlingNikita God, some people on here are proper righteous jobsworths!

Nope. Just people that understand how workplace politics function.

I've been self-employed for 15 years, not least because I hate having to deal with this sort of thing, and I've really disliked doing PA-type roles when I've had to take them on.

However, I DO understand what is, and isn't, appropriate in this role. (As do the many other posters who've made similar points.)

The task here was to carry out a straightforward and simple ordering job that meant every member of staff got the same, standard gift. Even though many of them would probably have preferred an alternative.

The task was NOT to go shopping for yourself/your child and spend time choosing something that was special and personal. The last thing that someone in a PA role should be doing is singling themselves out and effectively spending the company's money on going shopping for themselves.

It doesn't matter that it was cheaper for the company (which can evidently afford it). It matters that you do what you're asked to do and that you do it in an efficient way, not making it all about you.

If you don't like that sort of task then don't work as a PA and don't work for this sort of company.

The more I think about it the more I cringe for you, because it looks like you saw an opportunity to get some free treats from Harrods and had fun on someone else’s credit card.

Amazed at the number of posters who think OP has made a mistake by ordering a cheaper hamper for herself. (And why would anyone be happy to work for a company that thinks that way?!)

I am amazed anyone would think that is doesnt have potential to cause an issue.

I totally get the ops thinking. But she was told to order herself the same gift as everyone else. Not to have browse and get herself something up to the same value.

Unfortunately, lots of us have worked in offices where, this has potential to cause issue. Doesnt matter if it's free, or a surprise gift or anything.

Some people will moan, that she got to pick her own and they got a generic one, with things in they dont really want. Why should she get to have a personal choice when no one else does.

I dont think this way. But I have worked in places where loads of people do.

It’s all very ‘Devil wears Prada’. You are obviously Anne Hathaway. Miranda will probably just smirk and wave you away.

Apologise and move on.

If you don't like that sort of task then don't work as a PA and don't work for this sort of company.

That's me told

If the other staff find out, some will be annoyed just because reasons. Say you made a mistake and then just grey rock it. "Yes, I know. I made a mistake and it's been dealt with. Can I help you with something?"

Or maybe just take it home without opening it like everyone else will be doing?

I’m assuming, of course, that they’re lidded hampers and not cellophane wrapped, that might be a little harder to disguise...

Blimey, if it'll make everyone feel better ask for the extra £40 in cash so your present will equal £120. How strange!!

I'm going with that the PA was surprised that you'd have spent less on yours when you could have spent moe, rather that you were wrong to do it. Also, if PA is a guy then most guys (not all) wouldn't understand the sentimental parental decision get a cheaper hamper for yourself just because of the teddy in it when you could have had a more professional/businesslike hamper with no teddy and £40 more booze or luxury snacks to yourself.

I doubt very much the MD would care or mention but if he did I'd just give a very brief explanation along with brief but genuine thanks for the lovely hamper.

I’d rather have cash than a Harrods hamper so I doubt that approach will help

Can't you cancel your hamper and order the same one as everybody else?

Yet another weird thread. Why are so many threads on here descending into multiple petty arguments?

Folks are getting really carried away here!

I would simply say that given you have only been in the role 8 weeks, you did not feel entitled to a hamper worth £120, and therefore chose the cheaper one.

You're new to the role/company and still learning. Tell them that in future you'll check before doing something like that again

All a learning curve

What a drama llama

Presumably you've not been her long, if you think that counts as a drama llama post..

It's understandable that plenty of people here don't see a problem - that's how the OP has got herself in this position, because she didn't see a problem.

But equally plenty of us (many with experience in those kind of workplaces or roles) do see the issue, and we're trying to explain it.

*here

elvis86, I've been here ages and yes, I know there are levels of llama-ness. Any opportunity to use the phrase,though

I do see the issue in principle, but for me the fact that the MD is away and 'number one PA' is throwing their weight around over it very much suggests that there are petty power-trip issues going on.

I don´t really see the drama or argument here, just people explaining different attitudes. No-one is suggesting the OP is going to or should get fired for this one small mistake.

Also, definitely don't take out the rest in cash. That really would cause an argument!

You can’t be seen to be tailoring treats to yourself like this or everyone will want to do it. So yes, you crossed a line.

However, hardly the crime of the century, acknowledge that it was an error of judgement and move on,

It'll probably be a budgeting issue. If the company has a set amount put aside for gifts, and you underspend on that, then it may lead to it being reduced the next financial year as it will look like that amount of money isn't necessary.

Chocs and booze are pretty generic
Teddy and fizz is more romantic imo

This brings up an interesting point because we all know that it’s important to be professional in the workplace & to not do anything that could be misconstrued & leave ourselves open to accusations.

Now, everyone else got generic hampers A or B, including the more senior PA.

OP on the other hand - the MD’s new PA, who’s only been there 8 weeks - gets special treatment & gets hamper C, a unique hamper just for herself. The MD can explain hampers A & B as there’s parity there but how can he explain hamper C for the OP? Why does she deserve her own special token of appreciation? From an outside perspective, it could look dodgy & leaves him open to questions if he doesn’t pull her up on it.

It won’t necessarily be obvious that the hamper is less expensive, just that it’s different.

Today 13:08 checkthetraderplease

‘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.’

The OP posted the above. This isn’t about the other PA, it’s about the MD and what he wants. He’s obviously the sort of guy who wants to splash the cash and wants tasks carried out to the detail.

I don’t get why some people think it’s a ‘weird thread’ or ‘drama llama-ish’.
It’s quite simple: he’s the MD, she’s his PA and her job is to do what he requests- not what she, or I, or any other Tom dick or Harry on here think!

FWIW I can’t imagine being so specific about ordering flowers or whatever - it’s not such a big deal to me. But it’s not about me. This is about the MD of this particular company.

No, it’s not the crime of the century. No she’s not going to lose her job. But she asked opinions and the majority (particularly when represented by people who have worked in similar environments) have simply pointed out that she should have just done what she was asked. Potentially it could cause ructions, for all the reasons given, or look grabby that she browsed for something for her kid.

End of the day it’s not her money to spend how she likes, or her decision to make about where the company could save a few quid

I do think you may have overstepped the mark a tad.

You are the only one who got to 'choose' their hamper - everyone else got the bog standard one (or luxury bog standard one).

In a new job I'd have just forgone the teddy and got the same hamper as everyone else. Otherwise, you stand out.. for all the wrong reasons.