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anon
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« on: December 05, 2005, 07:25:20 PM » |
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I've been sent a flyer asking me for $20 to buy the secretaries a nice gift.
There are four secretaries in our office. Only one helps me, and she does twice or three times the work of the rest. Her shining competence makes the others look surly, lazy, and not very bright.
I want to buy her a present myself. I don't want to contribute to the big pool of money for people who can't be bothered to do their jobs well. I've been a secretary, and I can see right through their smokescreens.
Anybody else feeling shaken down?
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Give money to all
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« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2005, 09:39:17 PM » |
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Otherwise you'll look like a Scrooge and everyone will remember that. Give for all, and no one will remember and you won't make enemies.
Yeah, Humbug.
[%sig%]
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asst_prof
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« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2005, 04:05:52 AM » |
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I agree that you should contribute to the fund for political reasons. I can understand your resentment over the situation, but to not contribute might create some bad feelings.
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amity
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« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2005, 05:00:49 AM » |
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Give money to the fund as suggested above and also get a small personal gift for the really good secretary. Give it to her in private.
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same boat
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« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2005, 05:52:42 AM » |
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I'm in the same boat re: the cleaning staff. If we didn't go weeks without soap or paper towels in the bathroom (neither of which she uses--I've seen her there), or 4 days without the garbage being emptied (we have mice) I'd be more amenable. My floors were last washed in February when she was away with a cold. Keep in mind that we are all nice to her, and that her load is quite light. I've checked.
And yet, I fear that if I don't give, we will suddenly lose toilet paper privileges as well.
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on the verge
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« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2005, 08:23:56 AM » |
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I'm fortunate because we do have good admin support in our department, so I'm happy to contribute a certain amount.
On the other hand, I have a joint appointment, meaning that I'm hit up twice, once for each department I'm in, and now we're asked to contribute towards a bonus for the cleaning staff.
So I feel in a bit of a bind: do I set a total amount to give and divide it up proportionally, or do I give what is the standard amount in one dept. to each, and thus double what I had planned to spend? I'm leaning towards the less expensive option; it's what I did last year. After all, I'm not receiving a double salary for being in two departments.
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tamiam
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« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2005, 08:37:23 AM » |
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Look you guys, I know we all feel broke and underpaid.
But a reputation for being cheap is NOT a good thing. People talk and laugh about cheapskates (I have no idea how to spell that word). You do NOT want to be the butt of jokes over something so trivial.
Pay up whatever you think is the maximum your colleagues expect. (consider it a charitable contribution and add a corresponding amount to your tax forms, if you want...).
It's Christmas, for cryin' out loud. Spread a little cheer.
A gift is not something given for services rendered. That's a tip. A gift is given out of the desire to spread goodwill during the holidays; to remind people that we are glad that they are in our lives. Find something to appreciate about these people and give with a spirit of generosity.
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Anon
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« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2005, 10:06:20 AM » |
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We have a cleaning lady who comes every morning and, without knocking, opens my door as I sit at my desk working and laboriously empties the trash can by the door. She barely manages to keep toilet paper, let alone soap and paper towels, in the bathrooms.
Like hell, in plain English, I'll spend cash to buy her a gift. If people want to consider me "cheap" or Scrooge-like, so be it.
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k16
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« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2005, 12:28:27 PM » |
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Can't these indolent staffers ever be sacked, anywhere? If they had to suffer through potential extended unemployment or 'adjunct' status, perhaps they would learn.
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CPA
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« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2005, 04:06:30 PM » |
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"Pay up whatever you think is the maximum your colleagues expect. (consider it a charitable contribution and add a corresponding amount to your tax forms, if you want...)"
No. You can't do that. Please stop giving tax advise as you don't know what you're talking about.
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Other Senior Prof
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« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2005, 03:07:18 AM » |
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k16 wrote:
> Can't these indolent staffers ever be sacked, anywhere?
Yeah, it is *almost* as hard to get rid of a staffer as it is to get rid of an incompetent, arrogant faculty member . . .
The world is not perfect and neither are the people we work with . . .
We make small gestures to make the world run smooth. For years, people argued that America should assert Democratic values and morals in dealing with other nations. Now, we're trying some persons' morals and values instead of bribing people, and it is harder to succeed . . .
Give the Danesgeld and make some small gesture to your favored staffer on the side, when no one is looking.
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