UPDATE!!! They have changed the policy!! It is now 6 months.. which means I got one!..... however.... its pretty crappy! There is a very large bag of dried pasta (Fusili if you're interested), a bag of cooking chocolate, some choc chip cookies, a mix to make fairy cakes, some icing pens, some fondant and some sprinkles for cake decorating.
Our company manufactures and distributes baking ingredients. Anything from boxes of fondant to the little bakery down the road, to 27 ton of liquid sugar to Heineken. Hence why the contents may seem odd. The nicest thing is the box it came in. It's appreciated, but I'd be gutted if I'd waited 3 more years. However, it is nice to be included.
At the place I work at, you have to have been at the company for 5 years before receiving a Christmas hamper. The hamper is mainly the company's own products, so nothing too extravagant. I believe 5 years is too long. I would probably feel differently if it was a bigger gift, like a monetary bonus or something. So.... because of this, I refuse to wish higher management "Merry Christmas" or any Christmas wishes, for 5 years. One of the operations managers wished me Happy Christmas last year, and I didn't reply with the normal "You too". This was actually harder than I thought it would be, as I am British and extremely polite. He commented something along the lines of, "Do I not get a "Merry Christmas?" So I replied that he would have to be my boss for 5 years before I wish him a happy Christmas. He told me that was a bit petty. I'm wondering if it is petty, or if I'm just pointing out the ridiculousness?
Edit to add - I would just like to confirm, that I absolutely love my job. They are a large company (Net £25mil+ and around 200 employees) I have been there about 18 months. I am also really polite and respectful to people at work and I have a great relationship with my managers. I don't ever have contact with anyone above the operations manager, hence why he's getting the brunt of it. The rest of the time I'm my usual lovely self. I think the hardest thing will be keeping it up for the full 5 years. Not sure my British-ness will be able to cope. If I thought my job would be on the line... I definitely wouldn't do it.
Yes it is petty. But that is what we are here to enjoy.
petty yes, but also not wrong
Justified Petty
💯👆
Petty sure,but your only matching The company pettiness. A bag Full of the company logo. And you have to wait 5yrs.
Exactly this. The retort back should be, “yes, yes, it is”
Or Happy New Year to you.
it’s a bit petty. The policy is silly, but snubbing basic politeness mostly just makes things awkward for you, not management.
Yes it makes things awkward, but I think OP was trying to address a certain amount if hypocrisy that made her feel awkward.
She is not the one who made the decision to wait 5 years.
Neither is the operations manager I’d wager, but he’s the object of OP’s pettiness.
Honestly, I vibe it.
It’s petty and funny as hell.
Hahaha right? Petty, but hilarious. Sometimes the best way to deal with ridiculous rules is to lean into them.
You didn’t make the rule, you just abide by it.
Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Just matching the company's energy....
If its petty for you, why wouldnt it be petty for the company? And if thats accepted, why are they not admonishing the company alongside you?
Exactly! The company and management can't have it both ways. The company is the asshole here.
"The company and management can't have it both ways"
They absolutely can have it both ways.
You're correct. Hopefully OP can find a job with an organization that isn't this douchey. My experiences working have mostly been positive. 👍
"Have a great Festivus."
tbh you should have to wait 10 years before being eligible for a happy Festivus
Air that grievance brother.
I got a problem with you people
Well then I challenge you to the feats of strength!
NO FEATS OF STRENGTH!
Festivus for the rest of us, the feat of strength
I use this all the time.
Already polishing my pole
/no pun intended
Go on...
Never polish a pole ironically.
😳
FESTIVUS FOR THE RESTIVUS!!
Yes it may be petty. BUT, petty is what is called for during the next 5 years!!! 🤣🤣
I mean 5 years before you receive a hamper?! Wth?! That's super duper petty!! In my opinion!! They started the pettiness, so you go right on ahead and be as petty as you wish!!!
At least people eventually got a hamper. I once worked for an organisation that would buy a number of electrical appliances for Christmas presents, but they only ever bought enough for most, but not all, of the staff. At the staff Christmas lunch, we were each issued a raffle ticket and, if you were lucky, you could win a Christmas gift. I worked there for 14 years and never won a Christmas present, not even once. Not only that, they always held the luncheon on Christmas Eve and attendance was compulsory. Believe me, there is nothing worse for a busy mother than to be stuck at a staff lunch, which went all afternoon, knowing that when you got home you were going to have to work very late into the night to get organised and do food prep for the following day.
This-- except it was a re-gift of gifts the employer receives from vendors! On Christmas Eve. Are these companies all reading the same bad advice on how to have an awful Christmas? Thank god I only lasted there a year!
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Yes, it is petty. Yes, it is glorious and dare I say appropriate.
Your reply should be, "Thank you, Guv'nor. I would have a happy Christmas IF I had a Christmas hamper, but as I do not yet merit a hamper, my Christmas will be cold and hard, indeed.'. That will fix them!
I think there's room for some petty compliance. OP should practice responses that are less awkward but not giving in to wish bosses anything good for the season.
Even just a simple thankyou would placate the British politeness, it's the brash non-british questioning 'no happy holidays for me?’ that ruins the exchange.
Its hilarious. As a fellow Brit, I am proud of you 😂
5 year tenure to earn a hamper full of junk I don't actually want, yet you want all the performative shit the entire time? Fuck off. I hope your ham is bouncy like a rubber ball.
TIL a British “Christmas hamper” is like an American “Christmas gift basket.”
Same! I was thinking it a clothes hamper at first, and I was like “wtf? 5 years for something to put dirty clothes in?” Then I googled it, lol
Very petty but not sure that's a battle I'd pick with my new manager...
Matching energies is not for the weak.
Same. Hopefully OP is financially secure.
Right? Risking a relationship with your manager over useless tat is...a choice
Petty but also fair. It may harm your career if you keep it up, but I don’t know your work culture enough to know that.
Petty but oh so sweetly delivered. He’s well aware of the absolute stupidity of that 5 year rule. You got your point across and don’t be surprised if that rule is tossed next year. Management really doesn’t want a disgruntled worker. If you said something like that he will be wondering how many more feel the same way. Sometimes it takes a slap to the side of the head to wake entitled people up to what the world looks like.
It's petty. But makes the point rather nicely.
Lmao this is funny and petty
It’s petty and funny. Do it for the Lols because company swag is NEVER worth it.
Lol. I'd say it's petty, I'm sure your boss is well aware of the rule but I doubt he set it. Still funny though and something I'd do, although more as a joke. Who the hell cares about a Christmas hamper
And then in that case the boss should say something like “fair enough”, not call the OP petty
Certainly petty, but that's what we all signed up for in this sub too. I'd say it's just as petty to be upset at OP over it. Same level of petty to be concerned with getting a "Merry Christmas" in response from a subordinate. I don't make a big deal out of a hamper but also wouldn't make a big deal out of getting a compliant response.
Petty? Yes. Appropriate? Again Yes.
Your English, if we didn't do petty things to show how dumb some people are then we wouldn't be very English now would we?
5 years is an insane amount of time.
You’re * And I agree. Five years is too long. One should be sufficient for a hamper of company product.
My dyslexia strikes again shakes fist
I've been at my place for less than two months and I'm getting one haha.
Merry Christmas 2029 to you too Sir.
Your company is very Scroogey. Bah humbug to them!
Such a weird hill to die on
I work with a guy who told me he refuses to remember my name until after the second Xmas party. I called him Mo for two years. His name is Ron…. He was Moron for those years. He never caught on.
It is the correct amount of petty.
I would reply something like "I'm sure your Christmas will be more merry than mine with that hamper the company gives out. No need to rub it in my face."
Oh yeah, this is petty. You’re in the right place.
It’s definitely petty but I LOVE it and think it’s a perfect way to respond. I might add a “thanks!” when someone wished me a happy Christmas just to make it clear I heard them and wasn’t responding in kind. Waiting for 5 years for a holiday gift is really stupid and petty on its face, so this response is perfect.
The only thing I might have done truly different would have been a response to his saying it was petty. I probably would say something like “I think it’s petty to make people wait 5 years for an inexpensive gift for the holidays but nobody asked my opinion on that and here we are.” Most people have no idea how to respond to someone actually giving a reasonable response to their unreasonable statement. I’ve short-circuited a few brains over the years with those types of responses.
Petty? yes. Revenge, no.
Look at Fancy Pants over here, actually receiving xmas gifts from their employer!
It's both. Your pettiness shines a light on the company's silly policy. One year is fine, five is silly and cheap.
This is the kind of decision a manager probably has no control over (more something for higher execs) but if I was the manager, I would agree with you, and probably just laugh or say, touche, or in some way acknowledge the policy is stupid.
I once interviewed at a company that offered no vacation for the first 5 years but 3 months vacation after that. I didn't follow up on it but I later heard from someone in recruiting that nobody ever lasts 5 years.
It is petty, despite your company being a terrible company.
But look at it this way:
Your company will give you a 5-year ”award” in the form of a hamper after you’ve been there 5 years. But I’m assuming they’re not marginalizing you during the holidays during those 5 years.
Your Operations Manager GAVE you a “Merry Christmas” and you marginalized them by refusing to give a “Merry Christmas” in return.
The fact that they said Merry Christmas to you only proves my point that the company is not marginalizing you before the 5 years mark.
"Thank you. So kind."
It is as petty as the company. It's not even a gift, it's a hamper full of things they can write off. They can't give everyone a little something? You can be as cheap with the tidings as they are with their goods.
Did that Operations Manager make that rule, if so no problem. If he/she didn't make that rule, then......
Could the OP suggest it be changed?
A hamper. That's cute.
In the U.S., you're lucky not to get a bag of dog shit for the holidays.
Perfectly executed my brother!
its petty but fun
“Your Christmas is what you make it.” Lol
I’m alright with that 👍
Well done.
Its no more petty than the company's behaviour.
Well it is and it isn't petty.
Petty of the company to expect 60 months of an employee's life before giving them a company product. Which is probaby a write off anyway.
Not exactly petty of you, but what's good for the goose.
It's both petty (on your end) and ridiculous (on their end). I'm sure you're not the only one who thinks that silly little rule is ridiculous.
`What a stupid policy. Excellent pettiness, though.
It's extremely petty because those managers aren't the ones making that decision but you're punishing them for it all the same.
There's no way it'll give you any anti-christmas labels. But petty is what we're here for so you do you, Grinch.
Doesn't seem like revenge but instead self sabotage...
The company policy is stupid but imagine being an American without 1 hour of paid sick or vacation time... Like ever as it is not mandated by federal law...
And yet most Americans are procapitalism even if they are who shoulder the literal cost of the corporate class's wealth.
Oh sorry Sir, it's nothing important. But apparently we don't get a Christmas unless we've been with the company for 5 whole years so I don't feel the need to participate since it's not reciprocal until we've been loyal for half a decade...
Petty and foolish.
You say you like your job, but managers talk to each other. Do you think the petty junior employee is going to be the one tapped for advancement or kept on staff during a restructuring?
Ohhh. I see, this bothers them! Hahahaha
I wonder if managers and roles above also have to wait five years before getting a hamper? If they don't know that rule, they will be wondering why you are rude. Then again, they may just figure you are the company Scrooge. Bah humbug.
You have invented a new religious festival for the petty.
Happy Passiveaggressiveover.
"Christmas Hamper?"
What happened to Seasonal Gruel and a damn good thrashing to send you off home at 8pm Christmas Eve?
Country is going to the dogs. Two wars, Dunkirk, Mafeking, don't know they're born, etc, more etc.
I knew you were a Brit at the word ‘hamper’. 😊. It’s a word I’ve adopted and I love using it. 😊 I also say ‘Happy Christmas’. 😊
"Here at Schmuck, Schmuck, & Schmuck, we strive to practice the finest exclusion."
I worked for a fishing boat manufacturer during a misadventure when I was living in Arkansas. they handed out big hams and gift cards to the direct hire folks, but us lowly "temp worker" peons received nothing. it didn't matter seniority, if you'd managed to be hired directly and had only been there long enough to finish your paperwork boom! holiday basket. but the temps, many who'd been there for multiple years, got a big fat zero. and about the only ways to be directly hired were nepotism and/or being a member of the "correct" church.
Oh I'm so curious lol. My guess is SeaArk, or Alumacraft.
strike one and two...I'll bet you can knock it out of the flippin park with the next guess 🤣
Ranger? That's the only other one I know lol eta ha! I see what you did. Yeah, that sounds very Arkansan. We're either nice or complete assholes there is no inbetween.
ding ding ding! granted, this was over 20 years ago so who knows what it's like now(probably worse).
Are we talking a “ Dirty clothes hamper “? Or is that a British term for picnic basket ?
This is sad. I was let go from my job of 23 years, never a Christmas present from the company or management. There was a Christmas party every year, but the quality of it depended on the management at each store. And some years, it was embarrasingly poor. I have now been at my new job just over a month, the Christmas party was generous and everyone was given a gift card, including new hires. It takes so little for a company to show appreciation to their staff.
If you don’t expect anything you won’t be disappointed
My mother drilled this in my head growing up
It makes you sound like a dick and increases the odds that you won't be there long enough to get the coveted hamper. It is certainly petty.
Yeah, you don’t wish someone good fortune because you expect something back. You do it when or if you truly hope for the best for them.
You're going to ruin your career to make a point about company Christmas presents.
if this is what ruins OP career then it was never meant for them anyway lol
It's super petty. Normally I'm all for petty, but this seems like a weird hill to die on.
Unless the company swag is nicer than my company swag you don't really want it anyway.
Being rude to a manager for 5 years, when they aren't the one in charge of the policy, seems like you are being petty to the wrong person. Additionally it will limit your career with no change to the thing bothering you in the first place.
It’s petty but not everyone celebrates holidays days. They should have just moved on
It's petty, but it's also matching energy.
Petty as hell... be glad you get anything but a headache from your place of work.
Petty, and I doubt it's your manager who actually set that rule. They likely think it's ridiculous too, same as you do.
Haha, you can wish them a happy solstice instead.
I would just like to confirm, that I absolutely love my job. They are a large company (Net £25mil+ and around 200 employees)I have been there about 18 months. I am also really polite and respectful to people at work and I have a great relationship with my managers. I don't ever have contact with anyone above the operations manager, hence why he's getting the brunt of it. The rest of the time I'm my usual lovely self. I think the hardest thing will be keeping it up for the full 5 years. Not sure my British-ness will be able to cope.
It's a gift, they can do what they want.
Did the manager make the policy?
Should the question of your pettiness come up again, I suppose you could ask him if he's implying the very similar company policy is also petty.
I think it is a bit petty because it is (presumably) a decision that is not within his control. I think you’re misdirecting your revenge!
What’s a Christmas gift?
It's petty, but 100% warranted.....
Not smart. You're basically sending a clear message to your boss that you're good at holding a grudge, are petty, and can keep it up for a long time. Those are not exactly "in demand" skills. And, what did it accomplish? Nothing. No change in policy, and no better relationship with your boss. So, you reduce your boss's opinion of you and gain nothing. Sometimes being a professional means resisting the urge to "show people they are wrong" because it's ineffective and demonstrates poor emotional management skills.
"isn't that a bit petty?" no it's just reciprocal
Who cares if it’s petty. The company only acknowledge Christmas after 5 years so why channel their energy. Even a Christmas card from corporate would be nice.
0.06 % of the annual net revenue would be spent if EVERY employee received £75.
15,000 instead of probably 2,000? Pennywise and pound foolish.
I would be polite all along, then keep being polite when they offer the basket and say no thank you. I wasn’t good enough for it last year and I’m still the same this year.
they are reaping what they are sowing ..
I love it! Yes it maybe is petty, just as petty as the company waiting 5years to gifting a hamper of their own products…. Also ridiculous that your boss can not even laugh at the ridiculousness and pettiness of the company, surely they can see it too….
Yes, petty. And funny.
Now, what is a hamper? To me, a yank, it’s a receptacle for soiled laundry. Is that really what they give to spread merriment?
We'd call it a gift basket. Meats, cheeses, chocolate.
The Consultants who worked their butts off to make a big company deadline and went to the get together afterwards for the advertised free ice cream sandwich. Sorry, the ice cream sandwiches are only for employees, you can't have one
The correct level of petty
Exactly what I'd do.
Good work.
Real petty would be a countdown.
Them: Happy Christmas?
OP: 1451....1450....
Many pardons, you will have to excuse me while I many fucks do not give. Unless there is a raise on the horizon, good sir!
Maybe they're using the hamper to say thank you to staff that have stuck around a bit longer than those that typically just come and go?
Just because you don't like the policy of 5 years doesn't make it right or wrong.
If they want to put terms on discounts you can get you can put terms on how you’ll socialize with those within the company. Seems fair to me.
I'd be jealous. I had no benefits at all, not even holiday pay, the way my time was structured working 32 hours a week. Holidays, yeah.
Big time pettiness over a hamper
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just scale up the hampers for the longer you’ve been there. Year one, just a little thing, year twenty, big boy hamper. This seems like a mean and exclusionary policy. Bah humbug. Good job OP
"If I'm not allowed to have a Christmas for 5 years, then I don't have to answer you at all, bye"😤
Some manager's get addicted to exercising power through stupid rules. I took a job to be a software instructor. The owner made sure I was on board before xmas so I could join their celebrations, including a Brazilian BBQ dinner and a popular show. Turns out I was worthless as a teacher, and we parted no hard feelings.
Making you wait for a minor perk is not a good sign.
Good on you.
I moved to a rural town. There a couple of years. Invited to a social event. Was asked by a group there if I was local. Proudly announced I would be in 18 years.
When got strange looks I noted that I was told to be deemed local I had to be there 20 years.
Half laughed and half glared at me...so I'm gathering it was a correct statement. 😂
Not sure if this is revenge. You are upset with the policy and have no control over it. The manager may also not like the policy and also have no control over the policy.
I usually reply "thanks" or "you are not my real dad, I don't have to do anything you tell me"
That is such a weird choice for them to make. It sounds like it's an appreciation gift, so they should do it for everyone from the get go. At my work we have "longevity pay" and we only get that after six years, which makes sense given the title. We also increase our vacation time amount as we hit 5/10 years.
It would be nice if employees who already have the five years at your company would speak up about it. I know I would say something.
You could always just say "thank you very much!".
Or (because I'm a geek), respond in tlhIngan Hol. It's even better than Greek for making anything sound angry (which was a claim by my 10th grade English teacher).
You are Richard “The King” Petty with that level of pettiness and I salute you. Fuck them buncha cheap creeps.
Yes, petty, but worse it sounds self-destructively petty.
Deliciously petty. Take my upvote
Yeah, that's kind of childish. Over a hamper full of stuff you see every day?
Could they offer this gift to all of their employees? Yes. They could also only offer it to upper management, to people who have been there a year, people who have been there 10 years, right-handed people, whatever they want to do.
It's a job. It's your job. Do you really want upper management to think you're a sulky, petty employee?
Your expectations for work should be about monetary compensation, decent working conditions and communication being respectful. Not presents.
It’s not about a hamper and it’s unfortunate you can’t see that. It is placing employees in a hierarchy and telling certain ones they are more important than others. Imagine if you bust your ass working all year and your colleague coasted, but they got a hamper and you didn’t. How would you feel about that?
Yeah, it’s not your boss’ fault that you have to wait 5 years. It is still ok to share holiday greetings.
Who sets policy?
Who makes decisions about your job, like minor accommodations for unexpected problems, or raises, or bonuses, or time off, or anything like that?
It's not cool to be deliberately rude to someone who has no say in policy.
And it's probably not smart to be deliberately rude to someone who has control over any of the issues that can impact your job...
But if he's part of the decision to set that policy and can't really fuck with you too much, be petty!
here in America, you have to seriously weigh the desire to do what you did against maintaining employment.
Probably not going to help you professionally
Don't wish someone a "Merry Christmas" if you don't feel like it; you can wish them an alternative holiday. For example, Grav Mass Day (or Newtonmas) is an unofficial international holiday celebrated annually on December 25, Isaac Newton's birthday, to promote science, especially the fundamental laws of physics, and to highlight the importance of scientific advances.
Have fun.
Petty, yes. Also, I doubt your manager made that policy himself.
Your attitude just oozes Britishness.
Next time someone from upper mgmt spews a holiday nicety at you, simply smile, nod lightly and say "Thanks!"
I dare even a hardcore capitalist to find something petty about that.
I would say something less specific, like happy holidays, or wishing you the best.
Then if pressed for why no Merry Christmas, then I'd say no Merry Christmas for 5 years.
Petty? Yes. Justified? Also yes.
“Thank you Ebenezer!”
Do you work for scrouge? Well done.
Happy Saturnalia!
Yes, it’s petty. But perhaps you could say “Happy (insert whatever day it is). Or “Have a great day” instead
People are weird with Xmas greetings.
Excellent.
Hold the line! Embrace your inner Karen!
Play petty games, win petty prizes
As a fellow Brit this is petty as hell... but also funny as f*** Keep on keeping on Oh and Merry Christmas 🙌🏻
This is super odd. Also maybe it is a UK thing but seems odd to be celebrating a religious holiday at work like that.
Just tell him "Happy Kwanzaa" or "Happy Hanukkah".
Well done!
Five years to get swag from the company as a Christmas gift.
Snarky! I like it.
The way I look at work is (as a self employed person), I’m there to do a job and get paid. Anything else I’m truly grateful for, as it is not a god given right to receive bonuses and perks.
Keep drinking tea brother.
YTAH. You love your job. You love the people you work with. Yet you are sowing negative energy with your colleagues and managers who I'm sure have no say with the stupid pilicy... over some company branded crap.
That is just selfish I could understand if it was over cash or stock bonus but over branded stuff. I will bet you have enough of already. Come on, mate. Lighten up.
Deliciously petty.
It’s petty as hell. I’d do this too but if I liked the job I would absolutely do it in a joking manner
"its only petty it if means the company is!"
F*ck those jagoffs
I’ve worked at my place for 16 years and the only Christmas gift I’ve ever received was a beer cooler, I don’t drink, and a mixed bag of lollies. I would’ve preferred the absolute nothing I got every other year..
I don't think the two should be considered the same. He's probably not the reason you have to wait 5 years and even if he was, it's likely to save the company money because of you're not sticking around, it's not considered a good investment for them.
yeah, that's damn near the opposite side of the state. but all of them there Arkansas people are kinda wackadoodle 😜
Yes but not as petty as making you wait 5 years for a hamper of their own shit
Your response may not register with him. You may try, "Do I not get a Christmas hamper?"
It's petty AF. But then again, this sub wouldn't exist if not for random acts of pettiness!