'Just don't go': Company plans picnic, expects employees to pay, internet responds to viral image

Brad Dickson • Managing Editor

Mar 1, 2023 1:00 PM EST

A frustrated worker shared this flier, inviting workers to a company picnic or, rather, a "lunch meal." All well and good—if it weren't for the fact that the company expected the employees to front the cost. The flier went viral when it was shared to a popular Reddit sub, bringing the employer under fire. Readers encouraged the original poster and their coworkers not to attend and derided the practice.

I'll be honest… I kind of like company gatherings. This comes from a guy who doesn't usually enjoy gatherings of any kind. There's something deeply satisfying about enjoying food and drinks that someone else is paying for while sitting in awkward silence with your coworkers who are probably reluctantly attending. What's this? The company's not paying?.. Yeah—in that case, you wouldn't catch me within 100 miles of the venue. If you want me to be a good "team player" and spend my own time with my coworkers… well, you'd better pay.

Have you ever faced anything like this? Has your company ever expected you to pay? Let us know in the comments.