EVERYONE taking advantage of my staff discount

[LadyGarcia]

I work for a luxury British brand, and we receive a very generous staff discount. When I first joined the company, I kept this discount between me, my mum, sisters, and sister-in-law. Unfortunately, my sister-in-law couldn't keep it quiet and told her sisters. Soon enough, I started receiving shopping lists from them (SILs sisters) with all the things they wanted to buy using my staff discount, this is ongoing and I still get requests from them every now and again - just to add instead of asking me directly, they go through my sister-in-law, which is frustrating and rude.

My mum nor my sisters have ever asked me to use my discount - probably because they know anything I gift them will be from work, haha!

With my sister-in-law's loose lips, she let it slip to my cousin one day who then asked to use it, so I agreed because it was a present for her daughter. Recently, this cousin and her sister who are travelling abroad soon, asked me separately to use my discount so they could buy gifts for their friends. This really irritates me.

I'm sick a tired of people wanting to use my discount and I'm angry at my SIL for telling everyone about the discount and I get nothing in return from anyone for it.

Am I being unreasonable?

I can't believe you are letting them suck on you like this. Just say no. Say No the staff discount is for staff not random people I don't know. you shouldn't have entertained this for a minute. I don't think your employer would be impressed.

Wow stop doing it just say no

I would offer to split the discount if you're genuinely allowed to use it for others. If you get 10%, tell people you get 5% and keep the difference 👍

A friend of mine lost her (senior!) role for over using her staff discount at a luxury brand.

Same friend also lost job at Safeway for over use of staff discount in the 1990s.

Tell your family rules have tightened up and you can't risk your job.

How about you just say NO!

It's not like they're hacking into your online staff account making purchases while pretending to be you. They're giving you a list and you're complying with it and purchasing it.

Grow a back bone and say no. If you think you need an excuse other than the fact it's wrong and you could get sacked, then lie and tell them one of your coworkers got sacked for the same thing and you don't want that to happen to you

Yes it's usually only meant for you and one other person or family

They are being really cheeky and I would put a stop to it

Have you checked that you are allowed to share your discount? There are normally strict rules, often immediate family/same household/you plus partner. Abuse is a disciplinary matter.

All of these retailers/brands will have fraud teams. Unless you are contractually allowed to use beyond your immediate family you have been putting yourself at massive risk. Say no immediately to any more requests and give your head a wobble before you’re fired for it.

Tell them they've introduced a spending cap and you'll need it for yourself.

Many years ago I worked somewhere where staff got a discount. It was very clear that it was only on items the staff member purchased for their own use, or someone in their household. So, I could buy clothes for my young children or husband, but not for family members who didn't live with me.
One of my dcs used to work for a huge retail company and their discount was limited to a certain cash value annually. They were given an extra discount at Christmas and because they still lived here at the time, they used it to help with our Christmas food shop. Once they left home, we weren't able to use it, quite rightly. In your sis, I think I'd just say you are no longer allowed to share the discount beyond your immediate household.

Oh just grow a pair and say no!

I assume that if that were the case OP would have mentioned it, as it's pretty relevant information! Why would you post saying 'I'm annoyed by something that has no real impact on me' if you meant 'I'm annoyed by something that could potentially result in me being disciplined or losing my job'?

TBH I agree with the first poster, if it's not actually impacting you why are you so bothered about doing something nice for people? Have people never done favours for you?
At the most I can see why it might be slightly annoying to be asked all the time, but "sick" and "angry" sound extreme.
If it is that much of an issue, as others have said, there's a very easy fix to just say 'Sorry they're cracking down on how often I can use it.' It doesn't have to be a big deal either way.

This is almost always a sackable offence. Like, immediate suspension for gross misconduct, disciplinary meeting which ends in your dismissal. And they’re not stupid, they’ll notice if you’re buying large amounts or multiples or whatever. You need to stop.

What’s your employers policy for the staff discount? Everywhere I’ve ever worked (not high end places) the rules are very clear- staff discount is allocated to that member of staff and either 1 other person they choose or someone in their immediate household- partner or parent if they still live with them. Abusing the discount can be met with disciplinary or even immediate dismissal. I’m beyond careful with mine. I’d never grass on anyone else for it but I’m sure others would.

I'd tell them all you can’t use it for them anymore, the rules have become very strict now. Sorrynotsorry.

Just tell them you're only allowed 3 discounted products a year and you've already used these for you, DM and DSis,and you've got your other sister and a couple of very close friends lined up for next year.

Burberry staff get a phenomenal discount I’m guessing it’s similar…

I think it’s nice to do it for friends and family but can see how it’s annoying.

I’d have a word with your SIL and tell her to stop writing cheques she expects you to cash.
separately, I think if it’s not convenient just say there’s a spend cap for the quarter which you’ve already hit or there is a staff buying freeze ahead of LFW / Christmas / whatever

Send an immediate email or text to EVERYONE who has asked to use your staff discount.

Hi all,
The company is monitoring my use of the staff discount. I’m not going to be able to use it to get discounts for you any more. Sorry. (Not sorry).

That is generic and non confrontational and will hopefully stop the cheeky fuckers. If it doesn’t, at least it gives you enough time to practise saying ‘no’ in the mirror,

Friend’s daughter gets a staff discount and has frequently asked me if I want items from the staff shop which is discounted plus the staff discount, I occasionally ask her to get me items that I need but would never take advantage by telling my son’s gf. I appreciate the offer and respect the daughter too much.

YABU to even entertain their requests. Just say no, you can't, you risk losing your job.

YABU because you shouldn't be extending the discount to so many people. It's just for staff.

I've seen people lose their jobs for doing that! Everywhere I've worked has been very strict on it. Just tell them you've been spoken to by your manager and they're monitoring how much you buy. It's not worth risking your job over.

instead of asking me directly, they go through my sister-in-law, which is frustrating and rude.

You need to start saying no.

I'd say something like I can only organize this in October get your orders in and buy me a drink if you use it

I have a feeling you’re talking about Hotel Chocolat, and my recollection from when I worked there is that it’s quite acceptable to buy for family etc. Neverthelss, it’s a pain and so just say no if it’s not convenient.

Just say no. Literally as simple as that. You’re being unreasonable by not saying no.