Office politics question

[NewWaveChick1981]

OK, so I've been on my new job 2 1/2 weeks and really like it overall. I'm managing a staff of six, but one position is vacant. The five still on staff have been here 5+ years each. I asked one of the employees (who worked for me a few years ago at another school) how holiday stuff has been handled in the office in the past, and she got a strange look on her face. She said, "Almost all of us enjoy it, but one of us does not." It seems the fundie on staff will NOT ever participate in any holiday gift-giving or other celebration and is very adamant about NOT EVER wanting to do it (his option, of course---nobody's forcing anyone)...BUT this guy, if invited to share in what food the others have brought, eats everything in sight and has no problems making a pig of himself. :eyes:

I'd love to do something nice for the staff and have a little get-together, but obviously it would be weird to exclude someone. The good thing is that he works in another building, but word would get back to him that we had a low-key party without him.

What would you do? I hate to spoil things for everyone because this guy's an asshole. My inclination is to say we're having a holiday get-together, and that those who bring food can attend.

[BOSSHOG]

1. Or

pass around a sign up list of what food one will be bringing so there are no dupes, the implication that everyone brings food. Surely bringing some chow to share with co-workers is the christian thing to do right?

[GalleryGod]

2. Great Suggestion!

:applause:

[NewWaveChick1981]

4. Excellent suggestion!

:thumbsup: If Fundie Boy doesn't want to participate, then that's his choice. He's an odd bird anyway, fundie or not.

[BOSSHOG]

6. He'll probably bring a bag of cheap cookies

[Darth_Kitten]

15. LOL

that's what my bitter enemy brought to work at a Potluck I organized a few years back.

The cookies with the sprinkles painted on. :)

[madeline_con]

21. or chips

[redqueen]

11. I'm an admin and that's how I handle pot luck luncheons.

Ask who wants to participate, and what will they bring.

[madeline_con]

19. Yep, just let him know everyone's bringing something.

He should get the hint.

[Javaman]

3. Or just throw the party, invite him and if he's a no show, great...

if he shows, let him eat. If he's a pig, that's the breaks.

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. That's what they've done in past years.

He always shows up and sidles up to the trough. :eyes:

[Javaman]

9. ohhh, he's really bad.

the type to basically park a chair infront of the buffet.

I think the other suggestion on this thread is better then. Have pot luck and those who wish to attend must bring something that will be enough to feed the others.

on edit: make sure you specify that twinkies, ring dings, etc is not a pot luck item. LOL

[ohiosmith]

10. BossHog nailed it.

[Beer Snob-50]

7. that is in the spirt of the holiday!

of course as he has a large mouth full of food tell him about the abortion rights rally you were starting for all those in attendance to participate in.

[Dora]

8. Be inclusive. Don't be guided by hearsay.

He's an unhappy person. Or he's sick. Or he's a fundie. Or he's all of the above, or none. You haven't met him yet.

Have the party, have the potluck, welcome him even if he's not bringing anything.

Don't exclude any staff from an all-staff activity. Even if you trust your former co-worker's opinion of the fellow, I think that it's bad management to exclude staff.

Let them talk amongst themselves about this fellow's shortcomings, but don't encourage divisveness by intentionally leaving him out.

[I Have A Dream]

16. I agree, Dora. nt

[TrogL]

12. You're a manager - fire him

[CreekDog]

13. what if he nails your wife at the party?

that will certainly hurt his career.

[Parche]

14. Nail Him

On a Crucifix........:rofl: :hi:

[MrScorpio]

17. The magic of the pot luck is that you bring food to eat food

Make up a list of what's needed, entrees, meats, side dishes dessert, drinks, utensils and so on and pass it around.

Those that bring, participate.


As far as gift giving, do a Secret Santa with names in a hat, limit the cost of the gift


Should be a nice get together

[hippywife]

18. I'm not attending our company

festivities or our department one. But one thing for sure, if I decline to participate, I certainly will include myself in the pot luck. Not too difficult since I want no part of it whatsoever.

But I do think Dora had the best response upthread.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. The best way to handle this is to loudly fire him in front of everyone for being fat or gay.

Take your pick.

Trust me, as someone who worked HR for many years, your only option is to humiliate him with a very loud, very public firing for either deviant behavior or for how he looks.

Anything else, and you're gonna have legal problems.

In fact, you should also add "depressed" and "disabled" to whatever reason you come up, just to better cover your ass legally.








:rofl:

I think Dora had the right answer.

[Rowdyboy]

22. Former office manager here......Please listen to Dora.....

I worked with several people very similar to what you describe. Inclusion works far better than exclusion, even if he brings squat. After you've had time to really get to know the guy as his direct supervisor you'll have a much better idea of how to deal with him. Don't cut him out because of what the other workers say.