TEMP STAFF MADE TO CHIP IN $109 FOR GIFT TO COLLEAGUE THAT HE DOESN’T EVEN TALK TO

Unspoken Rule: Splitting the Bill for a Colleague’s Bday who I don’t even talk to

As what the title says. Just want to hear opinions on this and would you actually voluntarily opt out if it’s you. My department has this tradition of getting extravagant gifts for colleagues and also go out for unecessary bonding activities which would cost a bomb imo.

Just a lil bit of background, I’m just a temp staff covering for someone on maternity leave. I don’t earn alot and the total cost for me to pay was $109++ for lunch, a gift and also an after work activity. P.s, they didn’t even throw me a welcome lunch when I first entered the company T_T

Netizens’ comments

1. I would opt out for future events if I were you.
   Same same but different – I was invited to an after work event with alcohol. Post event, they split the bill equally, as it was probably the easiest thing to do. I informed the organiser that I did not drink alcohol and will pay my share for the other portion. They were fine with it.
   Do stand your ground if you don’t feel comfortable.
2. In my opinion temp staffs are a different category. Just pay for your what you ordered. That would be my way of handling the bill split.
3. As a temp staff/ intern etc, avoid fraternizing with perm staff.. besides decline to join whatever party this is.. why bother honestly.
4. I would tell them I couldn’t join because I can’t afford it. I think $109++ way too much.
5. If you went it’s an implicit agreement to split the bill. Just opt out and don’t join them next time.
6. Next time just skip the lunch / after event and tell the organizer you want to opt out ah