I work in an industry where people frequently bake us cakes, bring us gift baskets, or bring other sort of food-related thank you gifts. Clients are so appreciative of the work that we do, as it is a very difficult and emotional field. The employees make a TERRIBLE wage for the work that they do. They barely make rent, yet the business owner lives in a fancy house on top of a mountain.
The owner of the company works 2 days a week (maximum, often less), and makes about 3x the wage of her employees. Yet, when we receive a gift from a client, she immediately claims “first dibs” on any gifts.
For example, one time a client sent us a basket of cut fruit (aka “edible arrangement”). It was sent on a day when the boss wouldn't be in for another week. She was mad when none was left for her, yet as explained how the fruit spoiled after a few days so anything that wasn't eaten was thrown out.
Another time one employee took a pack of candy from a HUGE gift basket because she was light headed and hadn't had a chance to take a lunch break. The boss got mad that she got into the basket first without her first picking through it, and made her put the rest of the candy back (even though the gift basket was massive and there was plenty of other food stuff).
Another time a client brought another huge gift basket, and one employee who worked directly on the case took the $11 bottle of wine that was included in the basket. The boss made her bring it back, then drank the bottle herself, then told the employee “it wasnt good.”
It boggles my mind that this company owner insists on having first dibs on any gifts, yet she makes 3x the salary as anyone else while working 1/4 the amount of time! As a team leader at the same company, I'm shocked that she behaves this way! The hardest working, lowest paid employees should definitely have first dibs on baked goods, not the rich company owner who works part time and makes 3x as much as anyone else.