On paper, your paycheck meets your budget and even allows a little wiggle room. So why are you consistently short of cash at the end of the month?
Sure, it might be because your child suddenly learned to send text messages, or it might be your inability to pass up a clothing bargain. Or it could be the hidden costs of working.
The place where you go to make money could be nickel-and-diming you to death.
Think back. Last week it was your manager's birthday, and everyone took him to lunch. That was $12 for your pasta primavera and $4 for your share of his lunch, plus tip. This week the department is throwing a shower for Jan's wedding: contribution to the office gift, $10; a personal card, $2.95; plus the chips and dip for the party, $10. Marge in accounting is pregnant — another shower and another gift, $25.
Your mentor is approaching 30 years with the company. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone wrote a letter of appreciation and brought pictures for a scrapbook to be presented to him at the company recognition party? Great idea! You buy the scrapbook, $20. Next week, it's Sid's birthday — he always wants to go to the pricey café in Midtown — and here comes Bill, whose son has candy to sell for a baseball team fund-raiser, $5. Last month, you bought $9 worth of Girl Scout cookies from Heather's mother, who works in sales. You don't even know Heather.
Add it all up, and you may be tempted to agree with Ebenezer Scrooge. "Bah, humbug!" to all happy occasions and worthy causes — at least those involving your extended work "family."
Yet, even Scrooge learned that work — and life — flow better with a little celebration.
Kathy Booker, manager of the orthopedics, neurosurgery and podiatry unit at DeKalb Medical, believes that "celebrations are important morale-builders and a way to let staff members know that they are appreciated."
"Our work environment can be stressful and demanding, so anything that breaks up the stress and lightens the day is a good thing," she said.
Many of her employees have been together for a long time. "There's been a lot of bonding, and we've seen each other through a lot of serious stuff, so when we have an opportunity to have some fun, we do it.
"Most baby and wedding showers are held outside work, because we know that all employees aren't at the same economic level, and we don't want to put any undue financial pressure on anyone."
Given the constraints of a department that works 24/7 and is responsible for patient care, all celebrations must be integrated into the work flow. But anything is fair game.
"We just had four graduate nurses pass their boards [national exam to become a registered nurse], so we did a big banner to congratulate them," Booker said.
The unit mostly celebrates birthdays by circulating cards and e-mails. For milestone birthdays (30, 40 or 50), employees plan a potluck lunch. Because everyone gets a half-hour lunch break, people come and go as they are able. Good customer-service scores might call for a banana split party, at which everyone brings toppings; new employees might be welcomed with a picnic with hot dogs.
How to celebrate and when to use department money are left to managers' discretion. DeKalb Medical employees accrue up to 23 days per year of paid time off (PTO) in addition to seven days of sick leave, which they can use to celebrate personal milestones, such as a birth, wedding anniversary or birthday.
When an employee retires or achieves a career award, the company funds an event and buys a gift, said Mike Tu, media relations coordinator.
"I'm lucky to have plenty of help planning. Different people help with different events," Booker said. "The celebrations are mostly low-key and never get out of hand in terms of getting the work done. We're respectful of each other's time, and the patients always come first."
Reining it in
The loss of time and money cause many companies to impose formal or informal guidelines when it comes to workplace celebrations.
"Celebrations are a great way to build office camaraderie, but, on the other hand, you don't want to lose company productivity," said Bruce Cohen, vice president of eastern operations for Jack Nadel International, a promotional products company with an Atlanta office. "If a dozen people go to lunch to celebrate a birthday, it's going to take more than an hour, and not everyone can afford to spend $20 for lunch, or someone may be on a diet and not want to go to an Italian restaurant.
Account executives Larry Cohen (from left), Marion Griffin and Nicole Manier celebrate their July birthdays at Jack Nadell International in Dunwoody. Among their co-workers joining in the celebration are Todd Bomchel (background, from left), Monica Salomone and Charlie Kramer.
"We try not to put anyone in a position of thinking that a birthday lunch is a company function."
The company gives each employee a day off for his or her birthday and the choice of what day to take it, within a month.
"We send out an e-mail wishing the employee 'happy birthday' and inviting anyone who wants to join her for lunch on a selected date and time," Cohen said.
Normally, the person's closest co-workers go and pay for his or her lunch. At the end of the month, the company purchases a cake and has a party for everyone who had a birthday that month.
The company doesn't plan wedding or baby showers but allows employees to use the conference room after hours. These celebrations usually are held in employees' homes.
In terms of etiquette, only those invited to the wedding should be invited to a bridal shower, said Peggy Newfield, president of the American School of Protocol.
"If the company sponsors a shower, and someone feels obligated to purchase a $20 to $30 gift but then isn't invited to the wedding, it can cause hurt feelings," she said.
Once a year, Jack Nadel International sponsors a potluck meal to raise money for the March of Dimes. There's a $5 entrance fee.
"Many people give more. No one has to come, but most do, and it's a wonderful company bonding experience," Cohen said.
A call for camaraderie
The law partners in the Atlanta office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart take a "let them eat cake" approach to birthdays — five cakes, to be exact.
"At the end of each month we celebrate that month's birthdays, and the firm buys the cakes. A two-person committee orders the cakes from local bakeries. Nothing's ever left over, and the favorites, like the white chocolate, go fast," said Scott Smith, legal administrator. "We let people know which afternoon by e-mail, and, since our offices are on two floors, it's a chance for everyone to gather in one area."
"It's a good opportunity for staff who don't normally work together — say, the immigration and the employment lawyers — to get to talk with each other. And, besides, they have the best red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting," said Todd Felts, director of business development.
The firm also brings staff together once a quarter on Blue Jeans Friday for a pizza and salad lunch; company functions outside the office are held twice a year.
There's no written policy on celebrations, but every department at the Simmons Bedding Co. corporate office in Atlanta has a travel and entertainment budget for company training and conferences. In addition, these funds can be used to send flowers to employees who are sick or have just had babies.
"Birthday congratulations go out on the company Web site, and most departments have a cake and circulate a card for birthdays once a month," said Tracy Koll, vice president of human resources.
Shower announcements are spread through e-mail or fliers. "Everyone's invited. Individuals can bring a gift, or sometimes departments pool resources. Often the department [budget] furnishes the cake and drinks," Koll said.
Showers are usually held a half-hour before lunch or quitting time — half on and half off the clock.
Rather than impede work, celebrations help foster productivity, Koll believes.
"I think people like celebrations, and when they're happy they are more productive," she said. "They'll pitch in and help each other. It shows that they are in an environment where people care about each other, and they feel more connected. It's not about the gift or party; it's about the camaraderie."
That's certainly true when the Alpharetta UPS office celebrates a particular employee's birthday every January.
"She always says she has a craving for McDonald's, so we all go, and some people get Happy Meals and the toy. The best part is watching the faces of mothers around us wondering what all these businesspeople are doing," said Elizabeth Rasberry, spokeswoman for UPS. "It's fun! Besides, when was the last time you went to McDonald's?"