'I’m not shelling out $125': Teacher refuses to contribute pricey gift for principal's retirement, risks job security

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jan 11, 2024 2:00 PM EST

It's no secret that teachers are underpaid, so why should they be expected to contribute to their principal's retirement gift? That certainly sounds like something the school board, parents, or alumni associations should be involved in, not the instructors who are already pressured to shell out extra money for the adequate resources their schools do not properly provide to their students. 

Thankfully, this Redditor had enough sense to reject the completely arbitrary notion that she needed to contribute a gift to someone who had only given them the gift of a water bottle during their entire time at the school. Another bizarre moment was the revelation in the comments section that OP's parents were trying to pressure her to give in and go to the retirement party for "networking purposes." Clearly, OP is new to the workforce and still asking her parents questions she doesn't need the answer to, and clearly her parents have outdated notions of how employees are supposed to behave with their bosses. What is the point of networking at a celebration for someone who is actively leaving the workforce? 

Keep scrolling below for the full story and the funniest reactions. For more content like this, here is another post about a housemate's petty revenge at a party.

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  • 01
    "How is this ethical?!"
    via Adi Goldstein
  • 02
    r/antiwork. Posted by u/JungkooksBananaMillk 4 hours ago Assistant Principal expects us to shell out $125 EACH for principal retirement gift My AP expects us to contribute $125 per person for my principal's retirement party and gift. How is this ethical?!
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 03
    First of all, my principal makes $150k a year. She's also leaving in April and not staying with us the entire year. The most I've received in terms of gifts from my principal was a plastic water bottle with the school's logo on it. Last year for the end of the year party and had teachers retiring, paid $75 each and that was for FOUR retirees! How is this ethical?! I'm not shelling out $125 for one person's party, I don't care who you are.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 04
    RahulRedditor. 4 hr. ago LOL! 320 no. Reply Share JungkooksBananaMillk OP - 4 hr. ago 103 Right? I can't believe the audacity. Reply Share
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 05
    CaveRanger 3 hr. ago Ask them if you'll get a similarly valued gift when you retire. In an all-staff email.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 06
    2qwik2katch 3 hr. ago You should put a price tag of $125 on the water bottle and give it back to the principal. 132 Reply Share
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 07
    TechenCDN 3 hr. ago Your assistant principal is trying to improve their own job prospects and have you foot the bill for the little charade
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 08
    charrcheese 4 hr. ago Her retirement is a gift itself, she doesn't need anything else. What are they even planning on buying with the pooled money?
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 09
    BigGrayBeast 3 hr. ago Sorry, i spent that and another $500 on my classroom since the district only gives us $100 a year for supplies.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 10
    texasusa 2 hr. ago I have read many times about teachers spending their own money for classroom supplies. What is the downside of refusing to do that? Contract not renewed for the following year?
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 11
    mebutonweed 2 hr. ago My guess would be it's the kids that would suffer, or not have the supplies they should. I've seen my wife do this with previous positions and even her current job. It shouldn't need to happen, but here we are.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 12
    RahulRedditor 4 hr. ago "Don't just lick the boot - fill it with cash!"
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 13
    JungkooksBananaMillk OP. 3 hr. ago Update: my family is trying to gaslight me into going and are saying it'll be good to "network"
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 14
    RahulRedditor. 3 hr. ago Ask your family for the $125
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 15
    Cautious_Hold428 3 hr. ago Network with someone retiring from the workforce? Do you have low doorways in your house that have caused them to all suffer head injuries?
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 16
    JungkooksBananaMill k OP - 3 hr. ago My best friend actually agrees with them too and says the new principal might secretly be there as well as people who "control my roster and schedule". If my school is that petty, looks like I need to transfer because that's ridiculous.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 17
    Zealousideal_Tour163 4 hr. ago You should do that thing where you reach into your pocket like you are getting the money and then use the opportunity to flip them off.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 18
    LaughableIKR. 3 hr. ago Send her a bill for all the unpaid hours you work on the nights and weekends.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 19
    Important-Button-430. 3 hr. ago You never gift up.
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk
  • 20
    SuperSassyPantz . 2 hr. ago just say sorry, given my pay, that is not in my budget. given how absurd the amount is, im guessing someone is angling for their job and really want a recommendation
    via u/JungkooksBananaMillk

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workplace-stories school work stories toxic-workplace principal work gift quitting work high school reddit thread retirement Reddit quitting toxic-work-environment
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