To not have bought my team easter eggs..

[M00cow]

Hello,

I have recently had a promotion at work and now line manage 6 others. The increase in pay only works out to be about £8 a day compared to a big increase in workload/responsibility (I say that because its hardly like im suddenly earning a fortune). I have also only been in this role for 2 weeks so haven't even received my first payslip yet.

However, i have had several comments from my team this week about Easter eggs...pointing out that other managers had bought their staff one and when was I going to do the same. Some of these comments came across really sarky and it has made me feel quite bad for not buying any! It hadn't even crossed my mind tbh and money is tight at the best of times.

I suppose my AIBU is am I being mean for not buying a team of adults (older than myself) an Easter egg when I'm very newly in this role? Or do they need to grow up? Half tempted to go to the shops now and try to pick something up for tuesday because I feel guilty!

Thoughts please

[Benjispruce4]

I work in school so we are off but at the end of term the head will put a few tins of biscuits in the staff room. It’s a nice gesture but I don’t expect anything. DH randomly buys treats for his office staff but it will be Danish pastries if he’s been to the supermarket or a tub of chocolates to share not individual gifts.

[sharksarecool]

Why not show up their pettiness by going the full hog: come in early and set up an egg hunt for them

[dropoutdoreen]

They need to grow up. Adults expecting eggs is silly

They're probably trying to undermine you. There could be some resentment if you have been promoted over them

If you want to reward them at any point, get a box of chocs to share or bring brownies one day

[Leah2005]

You need to choose your thing and stick with it. I tend to take hot cross buns in and have coffee break with my team. I don't do birthdays but buy a small gift at Christmas. I used to do foodie/alcohol gifts but I now have a team with wildly varying tastes so I now do a £15 M&S voucher each.

[Mamabananananana]

My DHs works in an office and his direct manger of his little team always gets them something and it is appreciated. I dont think theyd care or say anything if she didnt, though
I think you mightve dropped the ball a little on this one, (if all the other teams got a little something )seeing on how youve just been promoted , but yes theyre being childish complaining

[maddy68]

I would buy some mini eggs a d out them in a bowl in the staff room liitke goodwill gestures go a long way

[fairylightsandwaxmelts]

Work is a contract not a family. You don't need thanking, you sell your time, you get paid.

What an utterly grim attitude @PupInAPram

When I was in management I always thanked my staff each day - yes, they're getting paid but appreciation in the workplace goes a long way.

I'm now self employed and every single one of my clients thanks me for what I do for them - I don't think I'd take on a client who just expected to pay me have done with it, tbh. It's not a nice way to treat people.

[Rubyroseyposey]

I think I would. It's nice to feel appreciated and little things like that are good for work place cohesion (yes I sound like a sociology textbook but best way to put it) 🤣

[AngelinaFibres]

@M00cow

It would help if I was here last Easter I suppose. I started 9 months ago and was a member of the team I now manage until recently. I dont think all the managers have bought eggs just a few that I've noticed. I'm definitely planning on doing birthday/Christmas treats...maybe I'll speak to some of the more experienced managers and see what the done thing is here

I would not have wanted your job; much younger than your team and part of the team that you now lead. You are going to have to be very careful here

[SpiderinaWingMirror]

I like the idea of daffs.

[RobertsRadio]

In all my 40 plus years of working I have never received an Easter egg from anyone at work (nor given them). At one of my offices there was a culture of people bringing in cakes for various occasions and at this office the manager would provide hot cross buns or little Easter cakes for everyone to help themselves to, but no individual cakes or eggs.

Your colleagues sound like five year olds. Ignore them this year as you have only been in the job for 2 weeks. If you think they deserve it next year, then perhaps a crème egg each would shut them up.

[midsomermurderess]

It's juvenile. You're their manager, not their mum.

[SirChenjins]

@sharksarecool

Why not show up their pettiness by going the full hog: come in early and set up an egg hunt for them

Oh do this!! Even better if you dress up as the Easter bunny! You could have an Easter bonnet decorating competition too and make them wear their bonnets for the whole day because, y’know, EASTER!!!!! (obviously don’t do that)

[SirChenjins]

I mean, don’t do the Easter bonnet thing - the egg hunt is a brilliant idea

[switswooo]

I'm definitely planning on doing birthday/Christmas treats..

Out of your own pay? That’s nuts!

[AskingforaBaskin]

Would this be repaid by work as an expense or is this expected to come from you?

If the latter my response is

"I am here to make money, not spend money"

[AlisonDonut]

[quote ImanAccountant]@AlisonDonut but she's worked there for long enough to get a promotion and know the culture of the place.. [/quote]
Apparently not.

[Thatswhyimacat]

I've never been bought an Easter egg and in my workplace there would be issues raised re. diversity with colleagues who don't celebrate Easter and dietary requirements with people who can't eat chocolate. Best to avoid these things nowadays - or I do like the celebrating spring/daffodils idea.

[AskingforaBaskin]

It doesn't matter what the "culture" is. They are there to work. For that they get money.
Someone who expected me to buy them some crap in exchange for them liking me is not someone I would look positively on as manager.

I would quickly expect them to get over the entitlement to my money.

[Blimecory]

I think it’s extremely odd to get Easter presents or birthday or Christmas presents from your workplace/TL. I’m in my mid-50s and have never known this happen.

[Womencanlift]

Your team have shown themselves to be childish by doing the hint hint thing. And I do think it’s a little bit of a test of you; the new, young line manager who until recently was one of them. And even then new to the organisation.

I agree with others you are going to have mountain to climb with this group when it comes to delivering difficult messages and watch out for them undermining you, again as a test. You need to nip that in the bud as soon as it starts (talking from experience of also taking on a team I was already part of)

BUT also agree with others that small wins go a long way so small gift or shared tin of biscuits to say thanks for the effort team stays with people and shows they are appreciated

[Cheesecakeandwineinasuitcase]

It wouldn’t even cross my mind to ask my manager; or anyone else for that matter, to buy me an Easter egg. Small children might ask for an Easter egg - but a grown adult - from a manager/ work colleague? They sound like they could be a nightmare to manage OP. Are you sure an extra £8 a day is worth it? I’d be looking for another job before it becomes too much.

[babyjellyfish]

I regularly bring in baked goods for my team at work, and the ingredients often cost a fortune.

I do it because I want to do it, not because it is expected.

I cannot imagine a team of adults sulking because they haven't been bought Easter eggs at work.

How ridiculous.

[jazzyjeffs]

My workplace gives us all Easter eggs...not at the managements expense though!

[Herecomesthesun2022]

Honestly if they’re whinging about the eggs, get some eggs. It’s a small price to pay for good will