This is a vent. Just because.

I am a manager where I work, and every so often (every six months?) the company buys employees a "free lunch" but asks managers to serve it. I hate doing it.

Mostly because - I think - I don't consider it an incentive to have the CEO or some manager serve me lunch. I'd much rather they do their thing and I just take my lunch and go. Further, I like my private lunch time. I work like a dog and can't get everything done. And lunch is when I recharge my batteries.

I don't buy into this whole "a chance to serve your coworkers" BS and I also think it isn't a "Good chance to see people". I mean really, your job as a manager is to serve your coworkers. And further seeing people is a style choice. If you can't get out of your F'ing office to see what is going on then serving lunch is an excuse.

I realize that for some people it is a good thing to recieve a lunch from someone like that. Although news flash, I'd bet they'd appreciate an actual conversation with them instead rather than a "Here's your hamburger!".

Anyway, I know this isn't that big of a deal, but God I hate it. So I skip out when I can. I know, this isn't that big of a deal. Pretty much a case of where if I just keep my mouth shut people don't worry about it.

Vent. Was asked for this Thursday and I made plans to be offsite.

It's an opportunity for management to do a Uriah Heap and show how 'umble they be.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

Sorry man, don't get the reference.

Charles Dickens.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

When I worked at a particular warehouse they used to do that. I enjoyed the free lunch, but never really cared who served it. I would have preferred management actually asking my opinion on how to make things more efficient, or make the work conditions a bit better.

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"BOY: On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses? GIRL: Will he offer me his mouth? BOY: Yes. GIRL: Will he offer me his teeth? BOY: Yes. GIRL: Will he offer me his jaws? BOY: Yes. GIRL: Will he offer me his hunger? BOY: Yes. GIRL: Again, will he offer me his hunger? BOY: Yes! GIRL: Yes. BOY: On a hot summer night, would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses? GIRL: Yes. BOY: I bet you say that to all the boys!" -Meatloaf

I get where you are coming from. I wouldn't want to do it either. Free lunch is always a good time to get together and spend time with co-workers but have it catered or something so the managers can enjoy themselves as well.

That's the kind of thing that when the people know the managment are "suppose to do it" on a given day, they realize it's a sham. It the manager or supervisor did it on his/her own ... it could have some value on building a team spirit within a group.

I use to call "management initiatives" like that ... "Happy Meal Management."

Thanks, I appreciate that this is really boiling down to be a "good sport" and just do it. But I am glad to know that I'm not totally off.

Oh, and the Uriah Heep comment. Nice one. I had to look that up. Spot on.