No, Really, I DID Give at the Office

By Jocelyn Geboy in News on Dec 11, 2006 7:04PM

Last month, a memo was sent out on city stationery asking department heads and senior staffers to contribute a $35 voluntary donation toward a holiday gift for Mayor and Maggie Daley. (No checks please.) There's been a little back and forth about how this looks in light of all the recent shadiness in city hall, state government and politics in general.

Some people seem to think that it's no big deal -- that it's just a holiday gift, it's voluntary, that these things are general practice, and they are senior staffers that Daley appointed who can certainly afford the $35. Others seem to think that the gift is less than "voluntary," that people might feel they have to give to keep their jobs, and that Daley's administration is already in hot water with federal investigators.

We worked at a place where they wanted us to give to the United Way, and we didn't give just because we like to be able to decide just where and when we give our money. Not to mention we didn't think it was the company's place to get involved with our charity giving. At the place we work now, we were asked this year to chip in $10 for a gift for the boss. We are in a pretty small office and we suppose that's okay, but we still probably rather would be spurred to give something of our own accord. On the other hand, now we can feel like did the deal without having to make much effort.

So, what's the story? Are you ponying up cash for your boss' gift? How much? Daley uses money from his campaign fund to buy gifts for his workers. Do you get any sweet swag from the office?

Image via Lil Erna