Comments on: What To Do With A Cheap Co-Worker? (Your Advice)

By: lisa

lisa — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:37:10 +0000

I think I’d say something in front of everyone.. What did you bring for snack? would be a nice start. Sometimes cheapness can get the best of us and we forget. It has happend to me before. Once someone told me to live a little I lightened up..

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:58:56 +0000

I think it might be a good idea to stimulate a comment amongst your peers to see if they see the same thing.

You don’t have to explicitly say what you want to say but try to steer a conversation about this area and see if someone mentions her. Whether someone else talks about it or not might give you more clues on how to move forward.

By: R

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:33:24 +0000

It rather annoying dealing with cheap and dishonest people. It isunfortunate that you have to deal with this at least five days a week. When going to lunch with this staff person, ask for separate checks when you order your meal. As for the gift giving, purchase you own gifts. Eventhough, you may appear selfish and not team player. Take that risk or find another job.

By: Flexo

Flexo — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:52:11 +0000

Some people are cheap. It may be annoying but there are a lot worse things in the world. Oh, and just because this woman has a certain position, it doesn’t mean she isn’t struggling to pay her own bills… for all you know she could be supporting an aging relative, etc.

I would say that if her attitude bothers you, don’t spend time with her and find another way to do co-worker contributions. You’re not going to be able to change her behavior.

By: Karin

Karin — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:17:53 +0000

I agree that co-workers behavior is very annoying. Espically since she is the office manager. I assume she makes a decent amount of money and should contribute the same as everyone else. Unfortunatly since she is your manager, there is really nothing you can do. People like your co-worker never change. They are always going to be cheap.

By: KT07

KT07 — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:15:54 +0000

What if every member of your group will have to write a check, not give a cash? So this way you can control her donation.

By: so9

so9 — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:14:20 +0000

It is completely dishonest to collect funds from others, including subordinates, and not give them credit for their donations.

As a supervisor, you would think that she would have the skills to manage her way around difficult situations without affecting the sanctitiy of the office culture.

Are you required to go out to lunch with the group? Or, can you respectfully decline?

By: so9

so9 — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:08:18 +0000

There should be a consensus on how payment will be made when the group goes out to lunch. No one person should be able to manipulate the situation to their benefit.

By: green

green — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:13:02 +0000

I would try to struggle with him/her.

By: Amy F.

Amy F. — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:13:22 +0000

I am inclined to agree with other commentors about not saying anything, but this type of behavior would really annoy me, too. If you feel you must do something (sometimes we have to say something just to relieve our own stress, whether it’s really a good idea to or not) I would make occasional “joking” comments to her that subtly let her know that you’re onto her without you actually having to confront her. This way, no one can accuse you of being mean or confrontational. If she is in a bad financial situation, you won’t have put your foot in your mouth. But if she’s merely taking advantage of her co-workers out of pure selfishness, maybe the knowledge that other people are onto her will get her to curb her behavior. Have any of your other co-workers noticed or complained about her?

I sort of see where she’s coming from, though. I am lucky enough to work in an office where I never have to go out to lunch with coworkers, donate to gift funds, or bring in snacks. These things can really add up and, tight budget or not, some people simply don’t want to deal with the extra expenses that some jobs throw at you. Some of us want to bring our own cheap lunches and pick out our own snacks.

Maybe she’s also being bombarded with baby showers and wedding showers and is just tired of people subtly asking for her money all the time, like Carrie on Sex and the City.