Do I have a right to be angry?

When I arrived at work this morning there was an e-mail from 'M' to all 20 members of my department.  Our boss, a company VP, is going on a cruise to Bermuda on Sunday and 'M' says she thinks it is a good idea for everyone to kick in $20 each so we could buy an NCL gift certificate for the boss to use on his cruise ship.  WHAT???  The boss makes twice as much as I do!  Why should I subsidize his vacation trip??

I decided to ignore the e-mail.  I was not going to contribute.  Besides, solicitations for money in the office for every conceivable reason have gotten out of hand.  I know I have developed a reputation as a cheapskate because I pass on these collection envelopes without giving money.  But I am not the only one who feels that way.  My co-worker 'G' was also infuriated by the e-mail.  I told her I was going to ignore it.  She decided to do the same.

End of story?  Of course not.  Around noon I received a second e-mail from 'M'.  This e-mail was only addressed to me, 'G' and two other department members who apparently did not contribute to the gift certificate.  'M' said that she needs our money today because the boss is sailing on Sunday and she needs to purchase the gift certificate today.  I thought gifts were voluntary, not obligatory.  Again I decided to ignore the e-mail.  But 'G' felt this was a 'shakedown' and is starting to become an HR issue.

At 4 o'clock, just as I was getting ready to leave, 'M' came by my office with her envelope in hand and asked me for $20.  I told her politely, firmly but unhesitatingly that I was going to pass on the "gift".  She looked shocked.  Too bad!  If she had already purchased the gift certificate and was counting on my money - then that is her problem; not mine.   'G', who overheard the conversation, got up from her desk and immediately walked in the direction of our HR department.

More to come.

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