Am I breaking the office rules by that?

Question

I work for that company and we have certains "corporate rules". Not that strict like in the other companies, but that just so happens, that people tend to know what to do in certain occasions.

Here is the thing: Birthdays - the b-day person usually puts on, bringing a cake and maybe couple of champage bottles (cud also do a lil snacks, depends on how much he/she wants to put on it). Meanwhile, a few days before someones b-day, all the employees collect about 3 to 5$ and buy a good girft all together (havin, thus about 50-0$ to buy that gift).

So as I calculated, the b-day person has to spend at least 30-40$ to set the snacking and drinks for the whole office.

That's the reason I DONT really feel like havin my b-day in the office, but it comes up to one of the business days.

I dont really give 2 s***s about a gift, but I dont wanna buy ish for the office either.

I m thinkin about taking that day (or even 2) off, so I wont be int he office when my b-day hits.

DO u think its ok?

Answer 1

Sounds OK to me.  I always timed my Christmas travel to avoid the office Christmas party.

However, the plan might not work.  They might just say, "OK, we'll have your birthday party next week.".

Answer 2

Take a vacation day. Who wants to work on their birthday anyway??

Answer 3

I'm with you on the fake congratulations.  Some people won't take the time to say two words to you most of the time but then all of a sudden, it's a special occasion and they feel forced to be nice to you.

I would take off for my birthday in a case like this.

Where I used to work, the birthday person didn't have to bring stuff in unless they wanted to.  It was usually other people chipped in to get the food and gifts for the person.

Answer 4

That is exactly what I did when I worked for a company that did STUPID things like that, too.  Take a day or two off and stear clear of the whole bunch of c**p!  Birthdays are not for the office...especially with people that are just co-workers.

Answer 5

OMG!  I'm SURE it's breaking the rules!  U cud possbly be FIRED for such an infraction!  Be veeerrrry CAREFUL!

my brother's taking his birthday off today.

Answer 6

At my job we have about 8 employees. The company pays for lunch out at the restaurant of the birthday persons choice, a cake, a card, some $5 flowers from the grocery store.  Then each employee buys a $5-$10 gift.  I always look forward to going out to lunch but the rest can be skipped for all I care.

Buying your own cake and drinks just seems silly to me. I can't imagine what self-centered person started that tradition.  You can't really get away with not wanting to take part in b-day fun.  Office politics will cause everyone to look at you as not a "team player" or "unsocialable".  I think taking your birthday off would be the best way to handle it.  

I usually take the entire week off.

Answer 7

Why would you buy your own cake and drinks for your birthday? Also, do they really allow you to have alcohol in your office?

I would take the day off on my birthday too. That's a little to weird and complicated for me.

Answer 8

Often I'm not in the mood either.  I Hate surprise birthday parties.  The 'talk to the manager' idea sounds good.

Answer 9

No, they won't care either way. But can't you say you don't want to celebrate your birthday to the manager?

Answer 10

Why not go ahead with the birthday tradition?  At my job we're always looking for an excuse to relax and have a party.  Though they expect you to dish out the money for cake and snacks, it balances out when you celebrate somebody else's birthday.  

When my brother had a birthday party at his home, he bought everything, and even sent out his own invitations.  His main concern was to make everybody happy, and wanting them there to celebrate his day.

It's probably not the answer you were looking for.  But there's so much reward in celebrating your day.  Congrats on being here.  The day of your birth is an important event to those who know you.

As far as the fake congrats, they know who they are.  As far as the sincere congrats, you know who they are.

Happy birthday to you!  Even if you don't value my opinion, I wish you the best on your special day.