I started working for a new team at a fairly large company back in May of this year as a manager for a small team. It’s a team I enjoy working with and our director is very accommodating and easy to work with. Never any issues.
Today I got an email from one of my peers, another manager, letting me know that every year the team of managers (4 of us) chip in $50 to buy our director a Christmas gift.
I feel this is a ridiculous.
1) as a boss I’ve never expected gifts from my team, let alone a $200 gift. 2) last year there were only 3 of them, so it was a $150 gift – why not take $150 divided by 4 this year? 3) I pretty much have to do it so I don’t look like an asshole.
My wife and I don’t even spend $50 on any individual family members, other than our kids.
I get showing gratitude towards a boss that has been a great leader and person, but this feels wrong, especially to be pressured to join in by others.