DEAR ABBY: I work in a small office, and every two weeks an e-mail is sent to solicit money to buy cards and gifts for fellow employees for birthdays, new babies, funerals, etc.
Recently, we were asked to contribute to a get-well card and gift for an employee who had elective cosmetic surgery.
Abby, is there a limit to what is appropriate to solicit for office contributions? For those of us on a tight budget, it is embarrassing and uncomfortable to be put on the spot this way. How should I handle this? -- PENNY-WISE IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
DEAR PENNY-WISE: You should discuss this problem with your supervisor and suggest changing the card and gift policy. This is a delicate situation. The directive should come from management -– otherwise, it could create resentment.
P.S. The get-well gift for the employee who had elective cosmetic surgery is truly a "new wrinkle" in gift giving!