Sales employee wins bag in prize draw, gets told to return it because coworker wants it: 'She is no longer going to participate in these contests'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jan 30, 2026 9:00 AM EST

Workplace fun is a thin disguise for office politics.

On the surface of things, it can almost seem wholesome that management wants to arrange some kind of team-building game or an award to recognize their hardworking employees. When so much of the average job is generally stressful and boring, it is nice to feel like those in charge are doing something to lighten the mood now and then. Many workers believe that they deserve it.

That being said, just because something is not monotonous doesn't mean that it is free of the hierarchy and petty gripes that define many workplaces. In fact, these supposedly fun detours often end up being a way for the worst parts of the job to show themselves in irritating and insidious ways. It is not fair to those employees who deserve to be able to let loose and enjoy themselves for a moment, but it happens nonetheless. 

As a result, it is sometimes best to approach any kind of mandated workplace fun with a dose of skepticism. It is nice if it all works out, but when it doesn't, things can get even uglier than the average office argument. It can make certain coworkers surprisingly ruthless.

Advertisement
  • four colleagues play beer pong in a modern wood panelled office
    via A. C. (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • One woman was left disappointed when she should have felt happy after a prize-winning game she took part in didn't pan out as planned. She was on the sales team at an insurance company, and if they met certain policy writing goals, they were allowed to play a beer pong-style game to win a selection of prizes.

    The woman played the game well and, as a result, was able to take home a Stanley cup bag. However, this didn't last long, as she was soon informed via group text that she needed to bring the bag back to work as she wasn't eligible for it.

    It turned out that one of her colleagues, who had not been working that day, wanted the bag instead. She was left feeling demoralized, according to one of her other coworkers.

  • This has got to be one of the most petty things I have ever witnessed…

    At my work, insurance, our boss (who is the agent/owner) is running a promotion among the sales folks.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Three of my coworkers are in sales. If they write a certain amount of policies they get to toss a ping pong ball into cups (yes, like beer pong.) Underneath each cup is a sticker that is either orange, yellow, or red.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Yellow= lower end items. Orange= mid range. Red= highest items. One of my coworkers got a red the other day.
    via Bowlpin16
  • One of the prizes on the table, that had a red sticker, was a Stanley carrying bag.
    via Bowlpin16
  • She picked that. Took it home. Today, in a group text (that I am part of for some reason), they told her to bring it back.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Apparently that item was "for whoever writes the most apps at the end of the contest." Obviously my coworker wasn't happy about that.
    via Bowlpin16
  • It was with all the rest of the prizes. She took it home and now they are telling her she can't have it.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Interestingly enough, one of our coworkers was out when she won this bag. No one had a problem with her winning the bag until this person came back to the office.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Apparently she wanted it. As well as a blanket that is on that table. And she put them both under the table before she left.
    via Bowlpin16
  • colleagues sat around a table with red solo cups and a closed laptop smile and clap
    via A. C. (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Sometime between then and before my coworker won it, the bag and the blanket were moved back to the top of the table so someone could vacuum.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Both were there among all the other prizes when she picked it. Anyway, I believe the coworker that got the bag should be allowed to keep it.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Making her bring it back is BEYOND petty at this point. She told me she is no longer going to participate in these contests because of how ridiculous they are.
    via Bowlpin16
  • I told her I don't blame her. I was included in one once. I won an item and was told I "took" it from someone else who wanted it.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Haven't really wanted to be involved in the contests since. I mean all this fuss over material stuff?
    via Bowlpin16
  • Let her keep the damn bag. Whoever else that wanted it can just go buy one.
    via Bowlpin16
  • I won't participate in this bullshit either. Telling someone they have to bring back something they honestly thought they won.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Telling people they "took" what someone else wanted? All this fuss over stuff that can just be purchased if they want it that badly...I just.
    via Bowlpin16
  • The greed and pettiness is pathetic.
    via Bowlpin16
  • three female colleagues, one holding a plate with food on it, smile and laugh while stood in a line
    via A. C. (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Scary-Alternative-11 What in the actual hell?!?!? So she's trying to claim prizes she hasn't won yet??? And somehow the boss is OK with that??? That's not right. Whoever is in charge of this needs to tell her tough cookies. That's not how contests work.
    via Scary-Alternative-11
  • Bowlpin16 Original Poster's Reply It's beyond ridiculous. If I wanted something that bad, I would just buy it. It's a Stanley bag not a new Porsche.
    via Bowlpin16
  • LitwicksandLampents Those bags can't be that expensive.
    via LitwicksandLampents
  • Bowlpin16 Original Poster's Reply It's like $75-$100ish. Idk. I can't keep track of this Stanley craze. Either way. Not that expensive at all.
    via Bowlpin16
  • Negative_Raisin_997 I'm surprised your coworker who won the bag didn't write her name on it immediately. Who would want it then?
    via Negative_Raisin_997
  • bobarrgh I'd have written my name on the bag with a Sharpie and then brought it back. Even better, mark it with "Stolen from \[co-worker's name\]".
    via bobarrgh
  • witchy-mermaid Instead of boosting morale & rewarding their team, they are creating anger, frustration & pettiness! This is so stupid! & no way should any of you play these un-winnable games!!
    via witchy-mermaid

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

stanley cup bag work coworkers prize beer pong workplace entitled people
Scroll Down For The Next Article