Dumb first world problem

[Nosferatu]

Use the rolled-up catalog to slap the PITA coworkers around.

 

[Capn Jack]

I would just hand my wife the catalog. Then, after Thirtytwo years, 2 Temp/ Barometer wall hangers, one telescope and a set of cook ware, I figured we didn't need anything else.

When the bean counters started running the show. I just hung it up.

 

[Bobbygun]

2 Temp/ Barometer wall hangers, one telescope and a set of cook ware

I mentioned the telescope earlier, but I also got a barometer wall hanger. No cookware though. The only other gift I remember was a golf divot repair tool with two ball markers.

 

[66PonyCar]

Instead of a material gift how about an experience? A trip somewhere; a musical event, or any other memory making event.

 

[Richo877]

apparently coats are never missed enough for anyone to retrieve them.

At that age, kids grow out of them by time you notice they're missing. I've gotta re-wardrobe my 4 kids multiple times a year, and I've got a mountain of donations that keeps growing. We only have 1 girl, and my 2 youngest boys wear the same size. My oldest is 7-8 years older than my youngest boys, and we have another stack of hand-me-downs that won't be useful until 2030. Trying to re-sell kids clothes is like trying to sell ammo 1 round at a time. I don't think it's an embarrassment of the riches, I think it's just more practical to let another kid wear it next year.

 

[Richo877]

I crossed a work milestone recently, 20 years.

For what it's worth, congrats! I crossed the 5 year and got to pick out of a catalog too. There was nothing of real value and most of it was impractical. Most of it was $20-$30 trinkets, but I picked out a nice Thermos that I use regularly. It definitely would be a hell of a lot nicer if there was a significant financial incentive for dedication and commitment.

 

[Richo877]

Have I mentioned lately how cynical I am? Because it occurs to me that your company will see what you chose and I could totally see that becoming a thing on your file. I'm sure that there isn't anything inappropriate like an NBRRA* on there, but at the same time, do golf clubs and luggage mean that you aren't dedicated to working weekends? Is cookware sean as traditional and practical and jewelry frivolous and showy?
Or do I just need a very large second cup of coffee?





* Don't worry about it, it's super obscure and I don't even know who you would ask, I think almost all the folks that might get it are either in Alaska or some other Northern place or were Born so long ago that they have not-so early onset dementia at this point. And yes, I dropped** some clues



** Don't mind me, I off to get that coffee

You've worked in consumer economics and marketing too? I'm sure HR paints targets with these when someone gets close to collecting a pension.

 

[bradsteen]

A company I used to work for did similar things for anniversaries, or if a coworker or manager sends you an attaboy. Fortunately one of the options in the catalog was Cabela's gift cards, so the company basically gave me guns and ammo.

 

[Capn Jack]

How about the most worthless thing the company ever gave you?

Like when they have a female sales rep. pick out Christmas gifts for the service techs, or the light colored uniform shirts that attracted dirt from yards away?

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

How about the most worthless thing the company ever gave you?

My job at the time entailed a lot of driving and I got a coffee travel mug, and a gift card to a coffee shop. Only problem was the coffee mug not only didn't keep the coffee warm it leaked all over when you tried to drink from it and the coffee shop was nowhere near my route, it was over by where the boss lived. The one time I managed to actually get over to that shop they wouldn't even make the drink in the mug so I had to pour it from the coffee shops cup into the stupid travel mug.

 

[Capn Jack]

Or the Swiss Army knife that was the "Jumbo" model and was so big it came with a holster.

 

[thorborg]

Or the Swiss Army knife that was the "Jumbo" model and was so big it came with a holster.

Here is mine, albeit its hard to use the fork and knife at the same time:
not a work gift, Nor Swiss Army, worthless just the same.
I bought it at the five and dime in the late 50's. now I'm bummed, I didn't get a holster.

 

[gtivan]

9 years 7 months to retirement

Chose something 1 time in my 20 plus years. Threw it away after i got it
Now i dont even look to see what they offer
Throw away the paper saying congrats on 20 years
I dont even show up for the free lunch. Dont want to sit next to some people on my free time.


My pay, retirement, vacation time and sense of doing a good job is enough for me.

 

[CLT65]

I've got a LOT of swag and such over the years. I have a closet full of jackets and coats with the company name on them, some of them pretty nice. My son wears one of my old jackets every day. He loves it, though it's older than he is.

They used to give us a fifth week of vacation after 20 years, but that went away a few years ago. Would have been nice...

 

[Member 53867]

How about the most worthless thing the company ever gave you?

At one place I worked, for Thanksgiving, they gave everyone a coupon good for 10% off a frozen turkey, but only redeemable at one particular store (that looked like it had so many holdups they started calling them 'Blue Light Specials').

 

[sobo]

And yes, I dropped** some clues

Dropped, you say...???

 

[monks]

I have forty seven months left to get my pension, not that I'm counting or anything. They try to give us company branded clothes all the time and I refuse. I tell my boss that cattle have brands and I'm not a cow. I used to wear their stuff years ago a mass layoff happened I quit. The yearly calendar goes in the trash as well. The only thing I want to see from the company is the direct deposit hit my wife's account every two weeks so she'll let me be! I can't wait to leave, I fantasize about it!

 

[Capn Jack]

Personally, I enjoyed my job. I was on the road every other week, but never more than 1 1/2 hrs. from home. I was a service / repair mechanic with a large territory and a lot of windshield time. I never had a chance to get bored. I was in effect my own boss and I was only in the office once a week to turn in my time sheets.

 

[Nosferatu]

Personally, I enjoyed my job. I was on the road every other week, but never more than 1 1/2 hrs. from home. I was a service / repair mechanic with a large territory and a lot of windshield time. I never had a chance to get bored. I was in effect my own boss and I was only in the office once a week to turn in my time sheets.

Honorable work. SOMEONE has to get the hookers to the clients. Might as well be you!

 

[Capn Jack]

Are you into that stuff again?