I had a job where free lunch during our Friday meetings was one of the “benefits” (health insurance was not). I have a lot of food allergies and keep kosher, so I couldn’t participate in this free lunch - though I often took orders and picked up the food, and always attended the meetings. I asked if I could get a stipend for the lunch I brought from home, since this free lunch was positioned as a compensation perk and I couldn’t take advantage of it. Obviously, I was told no. I think when companies offer free food as a perk - beyond it being manipulative - they can forget that there are inclusion and equity issues at play.
Yes! Food in lieu of actual awareness/meaningful concern for workers' wellbeing is often counter-productive because workers see right through it. Thanks for calling this out in such a thoughtful way.
Any tips on where to find a printed copy of Jesse Dart's book? I'm only finding ebook versions for $40-45 and wondering if you've come across other options.
I haven't — as I was writing this, I only had time to reference the free excerpts that were available through Google Reader, which offered a lot of good insights, and then I ordered the eBook just now (I might actually have time to sit down and read). If you find a more cost-effective option, please do let me know!
Local TV newsrooms notoriously reward employees at the end of a presidential election season with… you guessed it… “election night pizza”. I definitely would have preferred a bonus for the extra long hours in a low-paying job.
BAILEY! I already told Kelsa how much your talk emotionally unlocked for me!!!! Thank you so much for encouraging me to think about how to connect with others and not feel like I'm running on empty or doing things that aren't restorative or make me excited.
Oof. This one resonated hard! I've had so many jobs that overworked us and paid us in "rewards" for doing our jobs. It's bizarre to think that pizza or other perks are given to workers for just doing their jobs like dangling a carrot in front of you and saying if you work harder or "dedicate" yourself more the perks will get better. I hope workplace pizza culture falls off soon or more people wake up from the BS of mediocre pizza at work.
Right?!?!? It's wild how employers seem to think a few bucks for a pizza is showing appreciation. What I didn't get to cover in this piece is that appreciation isn't always monetary — of course, bonuses and raises when promised are a big deal, but being open and frank with employees is just as important. I think this just goes to show that appreciation can be shown in a lot of different ways as long as they're meaningful and impactful.
I just did the 'pizza party' manuver. My primary workplace is bringing everyone back into the office in May, and I had a call yesterday with the small group I manage where I said "Well, at least I can buy us lunch for our weekly meeting with us all back in the office". One employee totaled it up - child care for his 3 kids, if he had to be in the office all week, was $804 per week. I can't buy a nice enough lunch to make up for that.
It really is a poor attempt to make up for pushing people back into an office to make executives feel better. I don't have any better tools. (Other than telling that employee to stay home and I'll cover for him... but I can't do that for the other 5 at the same time)
That's rough — when you're in a position and you can't do anything better. I think being honest with your employee is key. And I wonder if you feel comfortable pushing back on your superiors? If this person's work has been just as productive at home versus the potential stress that being back in the office will bring, it's worth advocating for. I can't speak to your specific workplace, but I'd be interested in knowing if you feel like this is something you can at least bring up.
I did bring it up - my immediate boss also thinks there's no rush to push people back in, which lets me give that employee a break but is still a rule-bending, not accommodation that lets me state for sure they don't have to show up. I'll certainly run with that until someone notices.
This, and in my experience at a particular job; "jean days." I've always felt it was a way to avoid all of the things you mentioned, and is so juvenile. "If you guys behave well you can wear jeans on Friday."
Anyhow, congrats on being selected for the food writer's program! And as far as community goes, a live chat would be kind of fun. I haven't tried shared threads on my newsletter, so I'm not sure how they work or what the "feel" of them are.
And yes! Jeans days or causal dress days as rewards! That was also a thing from my childhood we'd get as a "reward." I grew up in Miami, Florida so "shorts days" were a big deal (we weren't allowed to wear shorts to school normally) and to think this idea carries into workplaces as a way to incentivize people is weird.
Regarding free lunch: I have lots of examples (unfortunately!) but one that stands out is getting a memo asking if I’d like a free ham or turkey for Christmas. We (the largely disgruntled staff) each lugged home our choice of holiday cheer. We’d been lobbying for cash bonuses. Happy Holidays! 😂 (the ham was delicious, though, so there’s that…;)
Also, ham and turkey!?!? Especially during a time of year when a cash bonus would have been soooo helpful! I had one employer who threw us a "holiday party." We weren't allowed to bring a plus one and instead of a gift from the employer, we did a white elephant exchange (where you can "steal" presents from one another). The order of the draft was determined by how long you'd been employed at the company, including the two owners, so they got to go last. I remember having a $20 gift card to a brewery in my hand, perhaps the only thing of monetary value, and one of the owners took it. I ended up with a hat.
I had a job where free lunch during our Friday meetings was one of the “benefits” (health insurance was not). I have a lot of food allergies and keep kosher, so I couldn’t participate in this free lunch - though I often took orders and picked up the food, and always attended the meetings. I asked if I could get a stipend for the lunch I brought from home, since this free lunch was positioned as a compensation perk and I couldn’t take advantage of it. Obviously, I was told no. I think when companies offer free food as a perk - beyond it being manipulative - they can forget that there are inclusion and equity issues at play.
YES! THIS! I'm so glad you mentioned this because perks aren't perks if they're not accessible.
Yes! Food in lieu of actual awareness/meaningful concern for workers' wellbeing is often counter-productive because workers see right through it. Thanks for calling this out in such a thoughtful way.
Any tips on where to find a printed copy of Jesse Dart's book? I'm only finding ebook versions for $40-45 and wondering if you've come across other options.
I haven't — as I was writing this, I only had time to reference the free excerpts that were available through Google Reader, which offered a lot of good insights, and then I ordered the eBook just now (I might actually have time to sit down and read). If you find a more cost-effective option, please do let me know!
Local TV newsrooms notoriously reward employees at the end of a presidential election season with… you guessed it… “election night pizza”. I definitely would have preferred a bonus for the extra long hours in a low-paying job.
Ugh that's awful! Especially when you're reporting on a huge issue and viewership has to be up!
So rad to see you bringing the parts of the community building talk to life here 💓
BAILEY! I already told Kelsa how much your talk emotionally unlocked for me!!!! Thank you so much for encouraging me to think about how to connect with others and not feel like I'm running on empty or doing things that aren't restorative or make me excited.
We got a root beer float party. At 9 in the morning. It was awful.
Omg that's both insulting and gross. How are you supposed to do any work after that?!?!
It was so, so demoralizing.
Oof. This one resonated hard! I've had so many jobs that overworked us and paid us in "rewards" for doing our jobs. It's bizarre to think that pizza or other perks are given to workers for just doing their jobs like dangling a carrot in front of you and saying if you work harder or "dedicate" yourself more the perks will get better. I hope workplace pizza culture falls off soon or more people wake up from the BS of mediocre pizza at work.
Right?!?!? It's wild how employers seem to think a few bucks for a pizza is showing appreciation. What I didn't get to cover in this piece is that appreciation isn't always monetary — of course, bonuses and raises when promised are a big deal, but being open and frank with employees is just as important. I think this just goes to show that appreciation can be shown in a lot of different ways as long as they're meaningful and impactful.
I just did the 'pizza party' manuver. My primary workplace is bringing everyone back into the office in May, and I had a call yesterday with the small group I manage where I said "Well, at least I can buy us lunch for our weekly meeting with us all back in the office". One employee totaled it up - child care for his 3 kids, if he had to be in the office all week, was $804 per week. I can't buy a nice enough lunch to make up for that.
It really is a poor attempt to make up for pushing people back into an office to make executives feel better. I don't have any better tools. (Other than telling that employee to stay home and I'll cover for him... but I can't do that for the other 5 at the same time)
That's rough — when you're in a position and you can't do anything better. I think being honest with your employee is key. And I wonder if you feel comfortable pushing back on your superiors? If this person's work has been just as productive at home versus the potential stress that being back in the office will bring, it's worth advocating for. I can't speak to your specific workplace, but I'd be interested in knowing if you feel like this is something you can at least bring up.
I did bring it up - my immediate boss also thinks there's no rush to push people back in, which lets me give that employee a break but is still a rule-bending, not accommodation that lets me state for sure they don't have to show up. I'll certainly run with that until someone notices.
Good luck!!! It's hard to advocate for others and I wish you all the best!
This, and in my experience at a particular job; "jean days." I've always felt it was a way to avoid all of the things you mentioned, and is so juvenile. "If you guys behave well you can wear jeans on Friday."
Anyhow, congrats on being selected for the food writer's program! And as far as community goes, a live chat would be kind of fun. I haven't tried shared threads on my newsletter, so I'm not sure how they work or what the "feel" of them are.
Thank you!
And yes! Jeans days or causal dress days as rewards! That was also a thing from my childhood we'd get as a "reward." I grew up in Miami, Florida so "shorts days" were a big deal (we weren't allowed to wear shorts to school normally) and to think this idea carries into workplaces as a way to incentivize people is weird.
Ah yes, short days. I grew up in Miami as well. And indeed, those ideas do carry on, unfortunately.
I totally forgot you grew up in Miami! I knew that too and it slipped my brain. Hopefully shorts days never enter the workplace as an ok incentive.
How about doing a live thread, Ashley?
Regarding free lunch: I have lots of examples (unfortunately!) but one that stands out is getting a memo asking if I’d like a free ham or turkey for Christmas. We (the largely disgruntled staff) each lugged home our choice of holiday cheer. We’d been lobbying for cash bonuses. Happy Holidays! 😂 (the ham was delicious, though, so there’s that…;)
Great idea!
Also, ham and turkey!?!? Especially during a time of year when a cash bonus would have been soooo helpful! I had one employer who threw us a "holiday party." We weren't allowed to bring a plus one and instead of a gift from the employer, we did a white elephant exchange (where you can "steal" presents from one another). The order of the draft was determined by how long you'd been employed at the company, including the two owners, so they got to go last. I remember having a $20 gift card to a brewery in my hand, perhaps the only thing of monetary value, and one of the owners took it. I ended up with a hat.
“I ended up with a hat.” 🤣
Let us know when you’re doing your live thread!
I think about that gift card at least once a week.
And thank you for the encouragement! I'll keep you posted if we do a live thread!!
Or when any employer says, "we're like a family here!"