Company Outing
By asdomencil
@asdomencil (4265)
Philippines
May 1, 2012 10:36pm CST
Company Outing is one of the several activities of that serves as a reward for the whole year of work. This usually scheduled during summer season.
Our company is having our outing scheduled this weekends. We already had our plans including the food, location as well as transportation. One of the problem until now is our budget. Our co-worker that is supposed to be in-charged of proposing the budget to our boss is not yet finished in doing his task, provided that this activity has been already discussed 1 or 2 months ago.
I just heard from one of our co-workers that our outing will be funded by each of us, meaning, we are going to take cash out of our own pockets that will be serve as budget for the outing. I thought that it will be reimbursed to us once the budget is already signed by our boss, but that is not the case. Our expenses will not be given back to us. So, I and my wife already decided if this will be the rule, we are not going to join the outing.
Do you think this rule is fair for us to have the budget for the activity come from those who will join the outing? Are we going to join the said company activity?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@olliekobra1 (1825)
•
2 May 12
That doesnt seem right if its a reward i dont see why you should fund it that doesnt seem fair at least your work place is having a works outing my place doesnt do that.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
2 May 12
I guess those who are incharged of proposing the budget are just doing what they can in order to continue the said activity in the date agreed. However, according to recent meeting, our money will be returned but not in full. Only half of what we are going to pay will be returned to us. I think, if the budget has been proposed earlier, let say about 1-2 months ago, there will be no problem right now.
@olliekobra1 (1825)
•
2 May 12
It sounds like poor organisation and planning on some ones part but what happens if they break their promise and refuse to refund any off the money. I proberly wouldnt bother going on the trip.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
3 May 12
You are right, there might be a sort of misorganization in the said activity. They have been visited the place already for about a month and half, but they did not yet proposed the budget for the activity not until last monday. They also promised us that it will be returned to us but sure if full or half. Also, they don't know yet when it will be given to us. They said that it will be given after 3-4 months.
What makes us disappointed is that our company is one of the known company here in our country.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
3 May 12
Providing and financing a leisure activity for employees is a management prerogative. It is not something they are obliged to give to employees. If we try to look at it as a reward for our hard work, then we will only think about how we deserve it and how it is our right to be given such priviledges. But that is not the case.
I work in a company that is run by foreigners. It is not in their culture to provide such perks for employees. In the past, we didn't have Christmas parties or company outings. When we wanted to organize an event, such as the music festival we had a few years back, employees financed it by funding tickets. Little by litte, with some negotiations, the management was able to see how giving such perks would boost the morale of the people and make them feel appreciated. So, the company started funding events.
In your case, I think what is best for you to do is to first clarify whether or not the outing will be financed by the company. Do not settle for what co-workers say, look for an official memo. If the company will not finance it, and you choose not to join, there is nothing wrong with that. I would probably do the same.
Again, I reiterate, there is nothing wrong with the company not financing the outing. There is also nothing wrong if you and your wife would choose not to join because you would have to spend for it.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
3 May 12
Yes, very true--the management will have to put careful thought into releasing any amount of money. Such events require sufficient preparation time. The person or people in-charge of the outing should've seen to that. However, if organizing such events is not really a part of their job description, and they are doing it voluntarily, then we can't really pin the blame on them.
It is perfectly understandable that many would not join a company trip they would have to pay for.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
3 May 12
They must see those things because the company cannot just give you the amount you requested for a short span of time. We've been discussing this matter since January for us to have enough time. However, proposing of the budget was made only this monday.
The boss is really willing to give the budget needed but it will really take time.
I guess, those who are in charge in organizing the said activity made this decision to make the activity continue and to please those who really wants to join the outing.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
3 May 12
You got a point in here. It is not the company's right to provide funding for such activity if employees just want to have it.
Way back when we started to organize the said activity for the first time (about 9 years ago), we really had hard time of proposing it since it was the first time, but our boss approved it. The second time, he joined us and treat us in a restaurant for dinner. Even until last year, we have no difficulty in proposing the budget. Perhaps, if the responsible person proposed it earlier, right after their occular inspection on the location (about a month ago), our boss could probably approved it and don't encounter the problem we had now. He just gave the proposal two 3 days ago, so we must really not expect to sign the proposal for that limited time.
As of the moment, the numbers of refusing to join is increasing.
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
2 May 12
i think that depends on you and your wife. It does not hurt to shell out some money when you want or need to unwind once in a while. But if it is out of your means and the company is not paying for anything then i gueas you can opt to not join.
Our company does not give free outing. Our christmas party was not even free. I mean it really depends on you and how willing are you to shellout some cash for being a team player.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
2 May 12
We already decided not to go with the outing. Most of my colleagues in my department will also not go with the activity. The payment that they are requiring us is good enough for a month supply of milk for my son. Having our own summer swimming in a resort near to our house would really spend us lesser compared to going to the said outing and pay for the budget.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
2 May 12
I would skip it also especially if you cannot afford to contribute to the budget of the activity.
I am thankful hubby's company outing the company pays for. It's very nice with bingo, inflaitable rides, food, face painting, live bands, and a tee shirt. However they used to hold 3 of these a year. They got rid of the adult party and only kept the summer picnic and the kids holiday party.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
2 May 12
That's what we already decided. We are not going to the outing, instead, we will have our own family outing. We will probably spend lesser compared to the budget that we are going to pay.
Good for you to have your hubby's company which shoulders all the expenses including the family of their employees.
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
2 May 12
I think that is just too crazy and cheap. It would only cost the company a few extra bucks to show the employees they are appreciated and part of a team. If I was you I wouldn't go just to set an example about how wrong this is.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
2 May 12
You have a point there. I think our boss will definitely sign the said budget because he is already aware of that. One of the problem is that the person who is in-charge of proposing the budget haven't made our boss approved it as of this momment, knowing that we are already talking this activity a month a go. He got this idea that we are going to pay for the alloted budget per head if we want to pursue and continue the said activity, if we are going to join, we will pay 2 heads since me and my wwife works with the same company's division.
I just thought that if we are going to spend our own outing (family), we are not going to spend the same budget per head. It will as much as half.
@rewardsinlife (1132)
• United States
2 May 12
I am surprised that you actually got this paid for in the first place with the way the economy is going! Anyway, I guess it really depends on how secure you feel in your company and your job. For myself, I know that literally any day I could by laid off because of lack of money, therefore, you show up to whatever activity you are 'required' to go to...even if it is out of your own pocket. If you are the only one to not show up, and the boss is there wondering why you are not joining the team spirit and team building on an outing, it could cause some major problems. Just a different side of things...maybe you can bring some packed lunches or something to help save on money expense.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
2 May 12
we are not going to bring any food, in case because what we are going to pay will be the one to be used as budget for the activity. We are not required to join the said activity. The consequence of not joining is we are going to work on a regular hours since our office operation will be until saturday.
