Wrong Christmas Presents For Employees???
- Thread starter sudsman
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Maybe so-
because last time I checked, Penney's doesn't sell beverage alcohol!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
because last time I checked, Penney's doesn't sell beverage alcohol!
Lawrence/Maytagbear
whirlaway
New member
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Id tell them just to be grateful to have employment!!!! Cant imagine such ingrates.
Id tell them just to be grateful to have employment!!!! Cant imagine such ingrates.
ingrates
In the spirit if the season I shall refrain from using the F word but that's what you should do, cept for the one guy. You know who you're working with now, I wouldn't go out of my way for the rest anymore.
closer to home maybe a dozen or 15 years ago now I bought my partner (we're still together 26 years) a nice Christmas gift of a few. He questioned it, why would I have bought him one etc (it was a watch/meter,thingamejig).. It was the last gift he has ever received from me. I swore that day I'd never buy him another gift and I never have and I never will again, ever. That's how strongly I feel about ingrates, they don't get a second chance... any here that know me can verify this by phoning,, he'll even tell ya.
In the spirit if the season I shall refrain from using the F word but that's what you should do, cept for the one guy. You know who you're working with now, I wouldn't go out of my way for the rest anymore.
closer to home maybe a dozen or 15 years ago now I bought my partner (we're still together 26 years) a nice Christmas gift of a few. He questioned it, why would I have bought him one etc (it was a watch/meter,thingamejig).. It was the last gift he has ever received from me. I swore that day I'd never buy him another gift and I never have and I never will again, ever. That's how strongly I feel about ingrates, they don't get a second chance... any here that know me can verify this by phoning,, he'll even tell ya.
I thank you ALL
for your replys and suggestions I just let it all go. and WILL remember for the next birthday and Chirstmas , Have already decided that next year they are getting a Payday bar and note telling them if they are not happy about it, it can be their last. Except for the washman who today has smiled sung and worked his butt off. Next year he just might get 100
for your replys and suggestions I just let it all go. and WILL remember for the next birthday and Chirstmas , Have already decided that next year they are getting a Payday bar and note telling them if they are not happy about it, it can be their last. Except for the washman who today has smiled sung and worked his butt off. Next year he just might get 100
I gotta better one,,, an honest to goodness lump of coal like the one pictured way above.. BUT in a JCP bag LOL
It'll send the right message
And you've got a year now to find whereeveryou find lumps of coal these days ha.
It'll send the right message
And you've got a year now to find whereeveryou find lumps of coal these days ha.
kqkenmore
Well-known member
I am so sorry that this happened to you are so nice what an ungreatful bunch except for the one.I got a 17.00 dollar gift card to a grocery store that I donot go to that much but Iwas so greatful to get that and for christmas I was got a tote that contained a lot of things that I could not use but I greatfully excepted it and donated the things that I could not use to others.I would love a Penny's gift card.They may regret getting a Visa gift card because they lose there value if you do not use them quickly Penny's does not.But I would not do that again except for the one that was truly greatful. Sorry again but do not let this turn you bitter.Have a great holiday season.
I haven't shopped at Penney's for decades. In fact I'm not sure where the nearest store is any more.
So perhaps it was the choice of store, rather than the fact of a gift card or the amount, that was of concern?
If most of them are "lower Walmart", then why didn't you give them a Walmart gift card?
Still, I don't think the sour looks are appropriate; one should not look a gift card in the face. But I know when I get a Starbucks gift card I'm less than thrilled because I don't patronize that chain. Don't like their corporate tactics. Or their prices ;-). I'd be a little put out if a close friend or family member gave me a gift card instead of an actual gift, because I'd expect them to spend some time and thought on choosing the gift. But from an employer, gift cards are fine by me.
At my work, we got $50 Target gift cards. I made a swing through the local store before Christmas but honestly couldn't find anything I wanted. Wound up getting an $11 Chefmate 1.5 qt slow cooker (tiny but with off and warm settings), some hair gel, and a microwave plate cover (useful). Still have about $32 left on the card. Truth is, I've been doing my shopping all year and this time of year I try to avoid the shops - too crowded and too full of that fake Chrismas cheer. Still, the gift card was a nice gesture. We also get quarterly profit sharing, which often is equivalent to a week's pay, which goes a lot farther than a gift card.
So perhaps it was the choice of store, rather than the fact of a gift card or the amount, that was of concern?
If most of them are "lower Walmart", then why didn't you give them a Walmart gift card?
Still, I don't think the sour looks are appropriate; one should not look a gift card in the face. But I know when I get a Starbucks gift card I'm less than thrilled because I don't patronize that chain. Don't like their corporate tactics. Or their prices ;-). I'd be a little put out if a close friend or family member gave me a gift card instead of an actual gift, because I'd expect them to spend some time and thought on choosing the gift. But from an employer, gift cards are fine by me.
At my work, we got $50 Target gift cards. I made a swing through the local store before Christmas but honestly couldn't find anything I wanted. Wound up getting an $11 Chefmate 1.5 qt slow cooker (tiny but with off and warm settings), some hair gel, and a microwave plate cover (useful). Still have about $32 left on the card. Truth is, I've been doing my shopping all year and this time of year I try to avoid the shops - too crowded and too full of that fake Chrismas cheer. Still, the gift card was a nice gesture. We also get quarterly profit sharing, which often is equivalent to a week's pay, which goes a lot farther than a gift card.
polkanut
Well-known member
Tell everyone that grumbled to p%ss off, and remind them of what they get from corporate.
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
"They may regret getting a Visa gift card because they lose there value if you do not use them quickly...."
Luckily, here in Mass, they don't. There are no "non-use" fees allowed for Visa or any other gift cards. Even things like movie ticket vouchers that have expiration dates are good here past those dates. I remember even seeing it on the back of (I think) AMC vouchers. There was an expiration date on the back with the wording something to the effect of "no expiration in MA and CA" (at least I think it was CA).
I just heard, maybe last week, that some agency is trying to make that more wide-spread so that there are no 'non-use' fees on gift cards. If nothing else, the companies that you buy these cards from are able to use or invest that money from the time you buy the card, making them more money.
Lee, your gesture was a generous one and it's too bad the majority made it seem otherwise. Hell, with the clearance sales everywhere about to go into full-swing, their $50 will be worth much more than that! I know it would be uncomfortable to confront any of the Negative Nellies, but wouldn't you just like to ask the one who asked if that's all they were getting, "What did you think you'd be getting?"
Chuck
Luckily, here in Mass, they don't. There are no "non-use" fees allowed for Visa or any other gift cards. Even things like movie ticket vouchers that have expiration dates are good here past those dates. I remember even seeing it on the back of (I think) AMC vouchers. There was an expiration date on the back with the wording something to the effect of "no expiration in MA and CA" (at least I think it was CA).
I just heard, maybe last week, that some agency is trying to make that more wide-spread so that there are no 'non-use' fees on gift cards. If nothing else, the companies that you buy these cards from are able to use or invest that money from the time you buy the card, making them more money.
Lee, your gesture was a generous one and it's too bad the majority made it seem otherwise. Hell, with the clearance sales everywhere about to go into full-swing, their $50 will be worth much more than that! I know it would be uncomfortable to confront any of the Negative Nellies, but wouldn't you just like to ask the one who asked if that's all they were getting, "What did you think you'd be getting?"
Chuck
Not to nit pick, but I was under the impression that Sudsman is the proprietor of the laundry business he's talking about... if so, any Christmas bonus for employees comes out of his pocket, whether it's done via a company account or his personal account. Or vice verse. Either way, it's a tax deduction, right?
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
So let me see if I have this straight
You took money out of your own pocket to give people something and they are now upset with you?
Can you say ungrateful wretches? Sure you can!
What jerks!
I am very sorry about that - Mac, your heart is in the right place. Next year, spend the money on yourself.
You took money out of your own pocket to give people something and they are now upset with you?
Can you say ungrateful wretches? Sure you can!
What jerks!
I am very sorry about that - Mac, your heart is in the right place. Next year, spend the money on yourself.
Lee, I am sorry that you were so ill-treated. Talk about casting pearls before swine! Fifty dollars is a chunk of change for anyone I know. I applaud you for not spending money for the gift cards at Wal Mart. That place is a pox on the land; just my humble opinion. It seems impossible that your employees are so poor that they do not know that Penny's has good quality clothing, household textiles and stuff.
When I was in school and working for Rita Riche's we would be given store gift certificates. One year, I think it was before the oil-embargo related recession, the store did so well that we were called to a meeting before the store opened and presented with a second gift certificate. Even with my calculating cynicism, I knew I had more to spend than I did before I was given the certificate and it helped me buy presents. I just cannot imagine what type of people would not be grateful for a personal gift like you gave. Are they maybe so illiterate that they don't know what they received? I thought gift cards were pretty well understood.
This is not meant to be an inappropriate question, but have you asked other department heads if they give any gifts and, if so, what they gave and what reaction they received? I would imagine anyone who hears of this will be shocked at the ingratitude, so I am wondering if this is somehow cultural. I don't mean like giving canned hams to Jews. I do not know the cultural makeup of your 10 employees, but could they feel that Penny's treats them rudely or has security tail them in the store or maybe is in a hiring dispute? Again, not your problem, but something that might be rippling through their ethnic communities and flared when they saw your gift? Hell, maybe they or family members have been banned from entering the stores because of getting into trouble by shoplifting or playing bank with returns, no fault of the stores or yours.
One thing I would definitely do is take this up with Penny's corporate office. They should know the reaction of your staff to such a generous gift and why you will not be giving their gift cards next year.
Best holiday wishes. You certainly were not a Scrooge to your employees, even if they lack the ability to see that. Tom
When I was in school and working for Rita Riche's we would be given store gift certificates. One year, I think it was before the oil-embargo related recession, the store did so well that we were called to a meeting before the store opened and presented with a second gift certificate. Even with my calculating cynicism, I knew I had more to spend than I did before I was given the certificate and it helped me buy presents. I just cannot imagine what type of people would not be grateful for a personal gift like you gave. Are they maybe so illiterate that they don't know what they received? I thought gift cards were pretty well understood.
This is not meant to be an inappropriate question, but have you asked other department heads if they give any gifts and, if so, what they gave and what reaction they received? I would imagine anyone who hears of this will be shocked at the ingratitude, so I am wondering if this is somehow cultural. I don't mean like giving canned hams to Jews. I do not know the cultural makeup of your 10 employees, but could they feel that Penny's treats them rudely or has security tail them in the store or maybe is in a hiring dispute? Again, not your problem, but something that might be rippling through their ethnic communities and flared when they saw your gift? Hell, maybe they or family members have been banned from entering the stores because of getting into trouble by shoplifting or playing bank with returns, no fault of the stores or yours.
One thing I would definitely do is take this up with Penny's corporate office. They should know the reaction of your staff to such a generous gift and why you will not be giving their gift cards next year.
Best holiday wishes. You certainly were not a Scrooge to your employees, even if they lack the ability to see that. Tom
OK, gloves off.
I notice a few things here:
One, the staff had to work on Christmas Eve day. Many but of course not all, give their employees that day off. Then a number of them were back at work on the day after Christmas - a Saturday. Was this overtime or their regular workday?
Sudsman said that most all of the employees are "lower Walmart status anyway"... Sorry, but that is a rather unkind way to describe one's staff. It also implies that they are not paid enough to afford more than the cheapest products at the cheapest chain store. Hmmm. I wonder if that has something to do with their resentment? Are they being paid what one would consider a "living wage"?
Yes, it's bad manners to sneer at a gift, no matter how small. But perhaps there's more history to this than meets the eye of the reader here?
I notice a few things here:
One, the staff had to work on Christmas Eve day. Many but of course not all, give their employees that day off. Then a number of them were back at work on the day after Christmas - a Saturday. Was this overtime or their regular workday?
Sudsman said that most all of the employees are "lower Walmart status anyway"... Sorry, but that is a rather unkind way to describe one's staff. It also implies that they are not paid enough to afford more than the cheapest products at the cheapest chain store. Hmmm. I wonder if that has something to do with their resentment? Are they being paid what one would consider a "living wage"?
Yes, it's bad manners to sneer at a gift, no matter how small. But perhaps there's more history to this than meets the eye of the reader here?
OK Gloves really off
Mac showed generosity.
These ungrateful jerks treated him badly.
There is nothing else to be said.
Lot's of people have to work holidays, hell, my parents, who have spend over 100K on the ungrateful wretches in my brother's family just this year, were left alone the entire Christmas week and the only people who visited them were my darlin' and me - even tho' the jerks live five minutes drive from them.
But they called to ask my parents to mail them their presents so they wouldn't have to drive in the snow.
Some people are just plain not worth shooting with shit and hanging for stinking.
Mac should do what I do every year: I give my parents, the dawgs, my cat and my darlin' a present. Everybody else gets an email that I've donated money in their names to the local animal rescue.
Screw them, Mac. Frankly, I'd put a basket up by the door and suggest anyone who wanted to throw their card back in was welcome to do so...otherwise, just shut their farting asses up.
Mac showed generosity.
These ungrateful jerks treated him badly.
There is nothing else to be said.
Lot's of people have to work holidays, hell, my parents, who have spend over 100K on the ungrateful wretches in my brother's family just this year, were left alone the entire Christmas week and the only people who visited them were my darlin' and me - even tho' the jerks live five minutes drive from them.
But they called to ask my parents to mail them their presents so they wouldn't have to drive in the snow.
Some people are just plain not worth shooting with shit and hanging for stinking.
Mac should do what I do every year: I give my parents, the dawgs, my cat and my darlin' a present. Everybody else gets an email that I've donated money in their names to the local animal rescue.
Screw them, Mac. Frankly, I'd put a basket up by the door and suggest anyone who wanted to throw their card back in was welcome to do so...otherwise, just shut their farting asses up.
Sudsmaster F Y I
They take home in excess of 400 each week. not a lot by anymeans.. but nothing to sneer about. anyway.. the reason I made the comment about them i did is beacuse most of them see Wal mart as the major place of their shopping and Pennys would have I though been a treat for them .. They only had to work 1/2 day christmas eve and 1/2 day on Saturday they were paid a full 8 hours for the holiday as they are all holidays. Plus double over time if that comes about. They get 2 weeks paid vacation everyear and 3 weeks after 5 years. On Birthdays I always give them a cake and $25.oo Most all of them have 4 or 5 childern and husbands are construction workers and only work now 2 or 3 days a week. the reason I did not choose Visa gift cards is the very reason of useage charges and quick experation dates.
They take home in excess of 400 each week. not a lot by anymeans.. but nothing to sneer about. anyway.. the reason I made the comment about them i did is beacuse most of them see Wal mart as the major place of their shopping and Pennys would have I though been a treat for them .. They only had to work 1/2 day christmas eve and 1/2 day on Saturday they were paid a full 8 hours for the holiday as they are all holidays. Plus double over time if that comes about. They get 2 weeks paid vacation everyear and 3 weeks after 5 years. On Birthdays I always give them a cake and $25.oo Most all of them have 4 or 5 childern and husbands are construction workers and only work now 2 or 3 days a week. the reason I did not choose Visa gift cards is the very reason of useage charges and quick experation dates.
Lee, instead of buying gifts next year, why not just throw a simple holiday party for your employees? Order some pizzas and sodas, or have it at a local inexpensive restaurant. Chances are it'll cost less than $500 for 10 people, and it'll be more of a social event than anything. Giving a gift to each employee, although your heart was in the right place, is a little awkward, because they're not there to be your personal friends.
Or to spend almost no money, see if your employees would like to do a secret santa exchange. This works a lot better if they socialize with each other outside of work.
Or to spend almost no money, see if your employees would like to do a secret santa exchange. This works a lot better if they socialize with each other outside of work.
OK, Lee, I understand some more now. Still, $400/wk must go farther where you are than here - it's $50 less than the maximum current weekly CA unemployment benefit, for example. I know I couldn't live on it without hitting my savings pretty hard. The annual vacation sounds standard (currently I only get a week, will go up to 2 weeks after 1 year). Is there group health insurance of any value?
I think though at the bottom of this isn't so much the pay, or the holidays, or the benefits. It's more a matter of respect. I gather that they perceive - for whatever reasons, valid or not - that they were not given due respect vis-a-vis the gift card and maybe for other things. So they returned the perceived disrespect in the only way they could without getting fired - by disrespecting a gift. Of course the pay and the benefits factor into the perception of respect - but it doesn't take much in terms of intangibles to ruin that as well. I don't know you or your employees or the company or the interactions. That's for you to know. But if I were you I'd take the one person who showed gratitude and ask them why. Then I'd try to apply what they said to the rest of the employees. If that doesn't work, ask them if they have any gripes and what you can do to help them be better employees.
I think though at the bottom of this isn't so much the pay, or the holidays, or the benefits. It's more a matter of respect. I gather that they perceive - for whatever reasons, valid or not - that they were not given due respect vis-a-vis the gift card and maybe for other things. So they returned the perceived disrespect in the only way they could without getting fired - by disrespecting a gift. Of course the pay and the benefits factor into the perception of respect - but it doesn't take much in terms of intangibles to ruin that as well. I don't know you or your employees or the company or the interactions. That's for you to know. But if I were you I'd take the one person who showed gratitude and ask them why. Then I'd try to apply what they said to the rest of the employees. If that doesn't work, ask them if they have any gripes and what you can do to help them be better employees.
Jeff thanks
I made the mistake of the Secret santa thing one year and it was a total disaster.. they just cannot understand it. One of the ladies got a pks of boxer shorts and one of the drivers got a 2 pkgs of sheer nylons. One got a Greek cookbook.. (she cant hardly read english) and one got a Donald Duck Drinking cup.I think they think it means gag gifts, drawing names was even worse. About 3 years ago I did a christmas party for them over at the main hospital cafeteria and that did not work so good either. out of 15 employees (at that time) we endend up with over 200 "family memebers" I was told by admins.not to ever consider it again. There wea plenty for all and all did have a nice time but was a true disaster.
I made the mistake of the Secret santa thing one year and it was a total disaster.. they just cannot understand it. One of the ladies got a pks of boxer shorts and one of the drivers got a 2 pkgs of sheer nylons. One got a Greek cookbook.. (she cant hardly read english) and one got a Donald Duck Drinking cup.I think they think it means gag gifts, drawing names was even worse. About 3 years ago I did a christmas party for them over at the main hospital cafeteria and that did not work so good either. out of 15 employees (at that time) we endend up with over 200 "family memebers" I was told by admins.not to ever consider it again. There wea plenty for all and all did have a nice time but was a true disaster.
laundromat
Well-known member
I,myself do not celibrate Christmas. However,if someone was to hand me ANY type of gift,I would be very thankful and gracious enough to show my thanks and apreciation. I would NEVER be negative or selfish about it at all.I give out gifts all the time. all year long. There is no reason for me to wait until December when I see something for somebody in April.I grab it,wrap it and mail it or take it directly to them.Those are the fun gifts to give AND receive. Nobody ever expects to see a gift any days but thier's or Christ's birthday. I truly don't even believe that Jesus was born anytime around December.I believe that the convenience of being around the same time is more beliveable as well as convenient. Like Easter being the same period as Passover.
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