Image depicted solely for explanatory purposes.
A bowl of candy sitting on a desk
Am I in the wrong for refusing to sell candy to fundraise for my office?
I work in an office of about 20 people. For years, I have kept a candy bowl in my office and I tell everyone to stop by whenever they need some chocolate to brighten their day. Sometimes if I've done a Costco run, I'll also throw in other random things like small bags of fruit snacks into the bowl. Occasionally, coworkers will chip in and I will find a random $5 on my desk or a bag of candy that someone else bought, but for the most part, I pay for the candy out of pocket and probably spend about 40 bucks every 2-3 months to refill it. It's popular and people stop by all day for a little sugar.
It can feel like you're the only one who is looking out for yourself, especially in the workplace. This is why little things can go a long way. Snacks and treats are a small way to make your employees feel appreciated. This employee went out of their way to do that for the people they worked with, just out of the goodness of their own heart. They didn't have to do it, but they enjoyed putting a smile on the faces of others. That is until this became a larger issue in the office, when management started getting involved.
Separate from that, my office has a small committee that is supposed to be dedicated to creating a positive environment by organizing social events like happy hours and decorating for the holidays. This committee sells snacks to fundraise for their events. So there is a shelf in the lobby full of chips, crackers, etc. that people can buy. They pay for the snacks out of the same funds that purchases go into, so it's a small margin of profit, but they save enough to occasionally buy the office lunch for a social event.
I think it's important to note my candy bowl existed for years before this committee ever did.
A red bowl full of halloween candy
Fundraising for office events seems a little backwards. Shouldn't the company pay for that? No worker wants to feel pressured to pay for their own fun at the office. You'd probably rather spend that on fun on your own time. Plus, they wanted to control the way this employee was doling out their generosity. Not a good look. They should have been grateful for the free stuff, not worried that it was going to cut in on their already dubious business. Keep reading to finish the story and then see what some commenters had to say about the whole ordeal.
Recently, the committee approached me and said I should sell my candy instead to help fundraise for the office events. I said no, my candy bowl is and always will be free for anyone who wants it. I do it because it makes me happy. They then told me I was taking away from their profits by offering free food and that I wasn't being a team player in the office.
So, AITAH?
Stock photo unrelated.
An office worker sits at her desk looking at monitors
NTA. Remove the bowl and tell anyone who asks why.
How dare you offer something to the team. A team player wouldnt do that!
A woman sits in front of her computer at her desk
How interesting that the committee formed to encourage good will has suddenly decided to attack someone providing good will alone, for years.
The ego is a powerful thing when backed by virtue signaling.
I suggest not taking offense or reacting much at all. You can say, in jocular fashion, "What a lovely idea, and I hope you see my longtime effort as adding to the general good will, not getting in your way. After all, staff hopped up on chocolate will be more energetic to fundraise! I hereby donate $10 to get you started."
If you continue to get harassed as a threat, refuse to get testy. Be even more jolly. "No need for only one GoodShip Lollipop! Let our sea be filled with more opportunities for joy and good will!"
NTA - what you have done was established years before and is frankly normal office behaviour - in my office we regularly rotate snacks etc. with no charge but if there is a drive to raise money for charity we will contribute.
The office needs to look at alternatives for example a budget being set for social events from the profits. An alternative to the office providing the budget would be suggesting an event and costings and then booking if people want to attend and pay.
What’s next? Removal of vending machines because it takes from the profits
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