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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they are all cheeky bastards

363 replies

Helluvawomen · 18/12/2023 12:05

I booked to go to a theatre show for the team I manage for our Christmas night out. We all agreed on the show and I'm sure they would have all been aware of the cost when they looked and agreed on the show.

I was expecting them to sort the money out that night and transfer the £20.

not one person has mentioned the money.

If your boss had booked a show for a Christmas night out would you assume it was a present or would you have been like “thanks for booking, here’s the cash”

OP posts:
Doublebubblegum · 18/12/2023 12:08

Did you not make it clear when you were arranging it? If ££ hadn't been mentioned at the point of everyone agreeing then I'd assume it was something work were paying for, as a Christmas night out.

DragonMama3 · 18/12/2023 12:08

email them :,

Hi,

As agreed the tickets cost £20 please pay me/venmo me asap. Failure to pay will see the tickets sold

Many thanks

Tittyfilarious81 · 18/12/2023 12:09

I think it's just a misunderstanding and they thought the boss was paying for it

takealettermsjones · 18/12/2023 12:10

If a colleague had booked it, I'd have transferred the money immediately. A boss? Not sure. It's completely ambiguous.

What did you say when arranging?

Ideally you'd have said "I'm happy to put £X towards a Christmas get together, why don't you have a look and see what you'd like to do?" and then let someone else book it.

I realise that doesn't help now! How much are you down (so how many people was it for)?

StylishM · 18/12/2023 12:10

Depends entirely on the wording of the original suggestion!

MILTOBE · 18/12/2023 12:11

I wouldn't expect my boss to pay for theatre tickets - if they were going to pay I'd expect them to have said "my treat".

MiniCooperLover · 18/12/2023 12:11

Have you actually specified the cost and asked them to transfer the money?

EndOfMyTether11 · 18/12/2023 12:11

Did you tell them how much it's cost?

Allthewallsarewhite · 18/12/2023 12:11

I think it depends on the history. Our boss always picks up the bill for any events they organise for staff, so I would expect the same in this case unless it was specifically mentioned that it would be at own cost.
I think best practice is to always be clear and upfront about who is expected to pay, to avoid any misunderstandings. It could be as simple as just mentioning in the invite: tickets will be £20, who's up for it.

EvilElsa · 18/12/2023 12:12

We always fully pay for our staff and their partners for Christmas. It's a thank you for a year of hard work.

Alargeoneplease89 · 18/12/2023 12:12

If you didn't mention money behind I would assume it was a treat.

AVeryPregnantXmas · 18/12/2023 12:12

Did you make it clear it was a pay for yourself situation?

Motnight · 18/12/2023 12:13

Being the boss makes it less clear. Did you set out the price and provide bank details?

AppleChristsBirthdayMacchiato · 18/12/2023 12:13

I'm sure they would have all been aware of the cost when they looked and agreed on the show.

But did you explicitly tell them?

If my work said "we're arranging an outing to see a show for Christmas" then I'd assume that work was paying and that it was coming out of corporate funds.

If my manager said, "I'm thinking of arranging an informal theatre trip around Christmas, tickets are £20, does anyone want to join me?" then obviously that's different.

It's a bit tricky for bosses to arrange social activities because people might feel pressured to attend when they might not want to/be able to afford it.

PickledPurplePickle · 18/12/2023 12:13

I would assume it was a gift unless it was specifically mentioned that we were paying at the time of booking

SummaLuvin · 18/12/2023 12:13

it should have been made explicitly clear before, as having to pay will change some people minds on whether or not they go.

I would have expected to pay, but thats because thats been the norm throughout my whole working life, my DHs company pay for EVERYTHING including taxis home, so he might have thought differently. And I will say all my work Christmas events have had the organiser struggle to get in money and have last minute dropouts - why I would ensure everyone had paid up prior to booking.

Moltenpink · 18/12/2023 12:13

I would assume boss paying, sorry

jammysocks · 18/12/2023 12:14

I pay for my staff when we do something like that. I wouldn't expect them to pay. Especially if it was my idea and I organised it.

margotrose · 18/12/2023 12:15

I'd assume it was a gift. It would never occur to me to pay for it myself.

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/12/2023 12:16

One of our bosses used to stand the whole event. Did you make it crystal clear that they were to pay?

PickledPurplePickle · 18/12/2023 12:17

Is this a reverse? Are you now being asked to pay?

KimberleyClark · 18/12/2023 12:17

If my work said "we're arranging an outing to see a show for Christmas" then I'd assume that work was paying and that it was coming out of corporate funds.

I’d never assume that but then again I was in the public sector. Are you public private sector OP? I assume the latter?

PossumintheHouse · 18/12/2023 12:18

If you didn’t mention the cost at the time of booking, I too would assume the company was paying for it. It’s more than a bit awkward now.

neeep · 18/12/2023 12:18

why did you book before getting the money?

surely you said "all money needs to be paid by X date as I will be booking then. anyone not paid by then will not have a ticket" ?

Butchyrestingface · 18/12/2023 12:19

If your boss had booked a show for a Christmas night out would you assume it was a present or would you have been like “thanks for booking, here’s the cash”

If you have not mentioned payment, they will have assumed work was picking up the tab.

How many of you are there?