My company did a holiday dinner which they strongly encouraged us to all attend as it was an appreciation event for a specific department but “we are all a team.” At the dinner they handed out gift cards worth $575 to every employee and every department except for mine. Those employees were then entered into a raffle and were gifted Apple laptops, iPads, ps5, Xboxes, $1000 gift cards, trips, etc. so not only was the supposed department being appreciated, every department was given gifts and gift cards except mine. We were then told we were all a team and appreciated blah blah blah. Management was even kind enough to gift our janitorial guys who work for a contracted company gift cards. We sat there kinda stunned and embarrassed as it felt awkward to be excluded. The employees rewarded are among some of the highest compensated employees. When management was approached regarding this, we were told the appreciation was for employees regarded as essential to the business. The rest of us are considered their “support.” I won’t be attending next year and found it to be very odd and awkward. Friends in other departments said they felt guilty receiving all the prizes and money as some of sat there receiving nothing. Anyone have a company do something similar?