[cbp360]

We want to establish a policy for company participation in parties for employees - wedding & baby showers, significant birthdays, etc. They're usually organized by the employee's deparatment but the cost of a group gift, plus cake, etc. gets expensive. How does your company handle these situations? We're okay with picking up the tab but where do we draw the line? Several employees aren't married and/or don't have children so, if their cat has kittens, should they get a cake? :-)
Would love to hear from you.

[Chrissy Scivicque]

Honestly, I can't say that this has been an issue in my previous positions...I've always worked for very small companies (or small departments in big companies) so we didn't have an abundance of events like this. However, I definitely understand the dilemma. As a single woman, I sometimes get a little miffed when I go out and spend tons of money on my friends weddings and babies...I know it's a bit snotty but I've always wanted to throw a "Hooray, I'm single and childless" party and ask everyone to buy me gifts

Anyway, I think that a small office party to celebrate weddings and babies is definitely appropriate. If it gets too expensive, I think cutting out or down on the gift is fine. It's more the thought that counts - a little "team" time, a small tasty treat and a nice card can go a long way in saying you care. I don't think it needs to be elaborate.

[Jennifer Flaten]

I worked at a larger company. They did handle it by having CEO's staff make sure each staff member received a card signed by all employees (those present when the card circulated) on their birthday. The department head was responsible for getting a cake for the employee (employee choice) everyone was expected (within reason) to show up and sing happy birthday and have cake.
The birthday meals were a little different. Everyone was invited to these meals, so that no one would get their feelings hurt, but everyone had to pay for their own meal at these events. You were never expected to go, it was your choice.
Still you could tell a persons popularity by how many people went to their birthday meal.
Only one baby shower at that company and it was arranged by one of the other staff members with the employers blessing. I am not sure if they would have had more baby showers if they would have had to readdress their policy.

[badgergirl]

I know it is totally late in the game to post a comment to this, but it is an interesting. At my company, we have cards that circulate (we are small so I have to wait for everyone to sign it before it gets sent out) and then make some acknowledgement about the celebration at our monthly meeting. I wasn't even the one that announced my wedding to my company. The HR Dir. asked if she could make the announcement at the meeting. I would have let it just slip by without notice if she hadn't asked. I have been passed by all too frequently for my choices(not having children, not being married sooner, apartment-not house, and even no pets as if these things actually make anyone an incomplete person)

[cbp360]

Hi, badgergirl. You are not 'late in the game' as we are still pondering this question. Thanks to all of you for responding.

[SheriP]

In our company, everyone gets a cake and we all meet in the conference room to sing (if anyone is not to shy and starts the birthday song). If 2 or more employees have birthdays on the same day, they each get their own cake and any left over they get to take home. There have been times when just one cake has been purchased and one of the 2 employees that had a birthday that day got upset, to say the least. So everyone gets a cake of their own.

This past week we had 2 birthdays, one being the Office Manager and the second was a young man in the warehouse. I have become the cook in our company, (Making home cooked meals for our Monday afternoon sales meetings)(we have a full kitchen) so I made 2 cakes Monday morning, unable to finish the young mans cake I covered it and was going to finish when the meeting was over. WELL it didn't make it. Someone got into the cake even after there was one on the counter. (the young mans cake was not even frosted!) Needless to say I got very upset.
If anyone may have some advise how to handle this I would love to hear from you!
Thanks
One hot headed cook!