'I desperately need my [bonus]': Boss withholds holiday bonuses and throws a Christmas party instead, ignoring the votes of the majority of the office

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Dec 11, 2023 12:00 PM EST

If you had the choice between a bundle of cash and a cringey office Christmas party, which would you chose? For some, the Christmas bonus means a new set of tires or an in-home heater repair, but to others they'd rather peacock through the workplace, guzzling free cocktails and flaunting their shiniest blazer. In our next story, a boss gave his employees the choice between a bonus or a party, but then promptly ignored the results of the vote to suit his own fancies.

Apparently some show ponies just want to galavant around the office, regardless of what everyone else want's to do with superfluous company funds. 

Scroll to read how one woman decided to retaliate against a showboat boss and how she plans to get her holiday bonus anyways. After this, here's another holiday workplace drama where a woman stole the Christmas gifts out from under the office tree, but ended up getting glitter-bombed by a boobytrapped present. 

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  • 01
    "The choice was an illusion"
    via u/canva
  • 02
    r/antiwork Posted by u/Doubt_Consistent 1 day ago Boss gave choice for Christmas My boss (M Upper 30's) went around the office last week and asked the 6 employees, including myself, if we would rather have a Christmas party or receive a visa gift card
    via u/Doubt_Consistent
  • 03
    like we did last year. All 4 of the women (1 being a high up manager) said gift cards. The 2 men, who make much more than 3/4 of us ladies, said Christmas party. Guess what we are getting this year? Yep, Christmas party. And they scheduled the Christmas party a week out, on a day I've had PTO approved for months so I can't even attend.
    via u/Doubt_Consistent
  • 04
    The gift card was going to pay for one of the new tires I desperately need for my vehicle. It was going to be to buy Christmas presents for my other coworkers grandchildren. It was going to help pay for the broken heater at my other coworkers house.
    via u/Doubt_Consistent
  • 05
    Why do the their opinions mean more than ours? What's worse, my boss still hasn't even announced it and the party is a week from tomorrow. On a work night. I hope the 2 guys and my boss are the only ones to show.
    via u/Doubt_Consistent
  • 06
    Shadow_84 22 hr. ago Squatter RSVP as not coming, and so should the other ladies. Let it just be the 2 guys and the boss
    via u/Shadow_84
  • 07
    kpop_stan 18 hr. ago Silent protest won't do though, in fact they're probably banking on this reaction so they can have a "boy's club" night out AND the boss saves a few bucks at the expense of his female employees.
    via u/kpop_stan
  • 08
    What they should do is all approach his desk at the same time and ask "Why does out opinion matter less?" "Why do you value us less as employees even though we make up 75% of your workforce?" (Math people pls don't correct me on that % number I know it's probably wrong I just decided to use a guesstimate number)
    via u/kpop_stan
  • 09
    Green_Mix_3412 - 22 hr. ago Anyone who said gift card should boycott that party. 1.7k Reply Share INTJ-ADHD 16 hr. ago "Oh, no, I didn't attend the party because I opted for the gift card. What do you mean it was either or?! If it was by vote then the party failed. Where my gift card?"
    via u/Green_Mix_3412
  • 10
    BeMancini 23 hr. ago Is it just going to be the two men and the boss who attend their own party? We're supposedly having a small one, and the consensus is it's going to be sparsely attended. 298 Reply Share Doubt Consistent OP 22 hr. ago It is seeming that way, which would be great lol
    via u/BeMancini
  • 11
    jdscott0111 17 hr. ago SocDem If they had a budget, that just means more drinks/food for them. 43 Reply Share FullBlownPanic 13 hr. ago Exactly. They probably don't even want the women to attend.
    via u/jdscott0111
  • 12
    Khelek7 19 hr. ago Whatever you and the other women do, don't plan it! Don't bring things in for it. Don't go shopping for it. Reply Share 240 Doubt Consistent OP 19 hr. ago He already asked one of the other admin girls to book it and she is. I told her to tell him to have the 2 guys plan it since it's just for them basically
    via u/Khelek7
  • 13
    KidenStormsoarer 20 hr. ago Would be a real shame if you were to call him out in front of everybody asking him why he ignored the opinions of the majority of his workers, who JUST SO COINCIDENTLY happen to be women in favor of the 2 men
    via u/KidenStormsoarer
  • 14
    Doubt_Consistent OP 19 hr. ago I'm waiting for him to make the announcement, then I'll point out all of us women wanted the gift card option and 3 out of 4 of us won't be able to attend due to previously planned and accepted PTO days. I want to see what he says first
    via u/Doubt_Consistent
  • 15
    Kreyl 19 hr. ago If you think there's any chance of social pressure reversing the decision, I'd tell the other women and together ask him about it as if it isn't decided yet. Reply Share 171 RO489 17 hr. ago I would do it before the announcement, that might be your last chance to make a case for gift cards
    via u/Kreyl
  • 16
    fenriq 19 hr. ago I don't attend optional work functions, period. 76 Reply Share Unique_Plant_2550 17 hr. ago I get so much flack for this lol I have a life and a commute, no I'm not participating in anything after hours. Period. I did at a previous job because I enjoyed the people more.
    via u/fenriq
  • 17
    bobsmithhome 7 hr. ago Yep. Whether it's a stupid, waste-of- time staff meeting, or an office party, it's a punishment, IMO. 3 Reply Share Kalliope Blackblood 33 min. ago I'm the same way with the exception of the holiday party. We don't get a bonus otherwise.
    via u/bobsmithhome
  • 18
    Warning_Ocelot - 16 hr. ago As a group of women, approach your boss and thank them for giving you the CHOICE to have the gift cards instead of attend the party, then wish them a good time and say you are all looking forward to the gift cards because it's just what you all were hoping for Christmas.
    via u/Warning_Ocelot
  • 19
    When the boss tries to correct you and tell you that it's ONLY the party, collectively act confused, count on your fingers and ask why the votes of 2 men were worth twice the votes of 4 women. Sue them as a group for discrimination and have a merry Christmas.
    via u/Warning_Ocelot
  • 20
    Squibit314 18 hr. ago He wanted a party all along. He just needed to justify it. The two that voted for the party, want the company to pay for their drinking and condone it on company time. That is, if there is going to be alcohol.
    via u/Squibit314
  • 21
    Sirliftalot35 18 hr. ago What is the point of voting if the clear majority decision isn't the one selected? 14 Reply Share -chilipepper 13 hr. ago Maybe the boss was testing them lol. 414 Reply Share Sirliftalot35 13 hr. ago Sounds like a terrible boss.
    via u/Sirliftalot35
  • 22
    Particular_Ticket_20 16 hr. ago Boss wanted a party. He put it to a vote hoping "Party" would win. When it didn't he decided party anyway. He didn't over represent the 2 guys votes, he just counted his vote.
    via u/Paritcular_Ticket_20
  • 23
    Significant-Funny-14 11 hr. ago Even if he counted his vote, that's still 4-3, so a majority is still against the party 46 Reply Share Particular_Ticket_20 11 hr. ago He only counted his own vote. He wanted a party so his was the only vote that mattered.
    via u/Significant-Funny-14

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end of the year christmas boss worker employee bonus drama manager work 2023 coworkers Christmas party cringe working bonuses employees Party supervisor workplace Holiday party coworker holidays
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