h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, I'd asked this of a trusted friend earlier this afternoon, but the more I think about the situation, the worse it makes me feel, so I'd like to ask all of you for your feedback here. I'll leave this journal entry up through the weekend and delete it Monday when I RSVP the invite in question...

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The company I'm with has me on as a long-term contract employee, which is basically a temp. My current contract ends at the end of January, and I have the option to renew at that time. The concensus here, last I heard, was that they'd like to renew, so I guess I'm good at least through the end of next summer, then.

So today I was asked to assemble and pass out the holiday party invitations. I initially didn't expect to be invited, because I was told that temps aren't invited, which is tacky enough, but whatever.

But then *I* got an invitation- because I'll be here/have been here longer- and was told specifically *not* to give invitations to the other two contract employees.

Putting aside the fact that the party has a dress code ("dressy" attire), which I hate to begin with, I'm torn. K is invited, so I can't use not wanting to leave him home while I'm off galavanting as an excuse to beg off. There's a handful of people here I'd be fine hanging with for the evening, and I'm sure the food will be good, as it's taking place at the Westin Hotel, which is a highly rated facility.

I'm just wondering if I should decline as a form of protest/solidarity with my fellow contract employees, and explain in my RSVP that I'm not attending because I think it would be unfair of me to do so when other temps are not included in the festivities?

What do you think?

I would go if you are interested in becoming a permanent employee.

Depends on the politics but if you want to work there long term I would say that you are surprised or dissapointed the other temps where not invited.

Only if safe and asked to explain would I add more.
Afterall it would be a good time to get to know them and include them. You want the temps to have some loyalty or investment if possible so you give them some IMO!
Too bad they do that. I doubt it serves them well in the long run. It might also give them more employees to consider adding in a pinchand they are already familiar.

Nah. Office politics are dangerous. Just don't turn up.

I would just go ahead and go to the party and enjoy it, after all, it was not *your* fault that the others were not invited.

JEllen has a point - if you think you would enjoy it then go; if not, don't.

I can kind of see how giving an invitation to a long-standing temp and not to a short-term temp works but, having worked as a temp on many occasions, I can honestly say I've never worked anywhere that has excluded me from something on the basis of not being a permanent employee.

But then again I probably wouldn't have batted an eyelid if I had been, especially if I had only worked there a few weeks or so.

I've never worked as a temp anywhere over the Christmas period either, though. Perhaps I may have expected/hoped(?) to be included in the Christmas festivities if I'd been there long enough beforehand when everything was being arranged.

But then you don't know if you're still going to be there by Christmastime if you're there early enough for that to be going on...

Hmmm. Bit of an odd situation; I can see why it's sort of uncomfortable.
Apologies for thinking 'out loud' and rambling; hasn't really been much help.

PS I agree with Ed that office politics are dangerous. Solidarity is fine, but save it for things that really matter, and not some party.

Good points, all, especially regarding "office politics".

Ancrene makes a good point that the temps probably don't expect invitations... and several of the full-time employees didn't even realize I was a contracted employee. So maybe there's nothing for me to feel guilty about.

So now the only issue is the semi-formal dressy stuff.

Many companies give year end or Holiday bonuses during the Holiday party.

Hi PC & all

Well, in my experience of working for others, I'd go, even for a short while. I'm with Abbi on this, as it will be "noticed" if you don't go, without giving a pretty ironclad reason for not turning up. Seems a strange policy, though. It's not as if there are hundreds of temps working there. A bit mean-spirited.

I'd be somewhat uncomfortable with that sort of situation as well. Anyway, ultimately it's not your problem and you didn't make up the policy or the invitation lists.

Go. Eat your head off and have a good time.

St. F.

I'd say go, as it seems to be a mark of respect to you to be invited. Plus, if it was one of the other temps,I reckon they would go without a second thought.
You are not betraying anyone, enjoy!!

Life is too short, go and have a rage...



I can't go to mine this year, coz there's no one to cover my shit..shift

PC, I agree with most of the above posts. It's in your best interest to go and no one can be upset with you for looking after your best interests when it doesn't really harm anyone else. I'm sure the other temps won't hold it against you.

...As for the formal dress...

I think that just means "comes down to your ankles, isn't trousers if you are female, IS if you are male (Scots & Arabs excepted)"

They like a bit of boob, but you can always cover up & snarl. For gawd sake, if you do go, don't spend many hopeless hours tring to track down "ze perfect gown for Modom"; it's a hopeless task & will cost you a fortune & you will probably never wear it again.

Or you could offer, very generously, to play which solves many problems....

zdt

Well, in this case, it means a dress for me and a suit for K. I don't think I'm interested in doing that... especially as there's cocktails before (which we won't do) and entertainment after (which starts at 8:00 PM on a work night!). So I may find *another* reason why I can't go.

A sick Auntie coming to visit, or something...

Fancy dress my @$$. Either I come in jeans or I don't come at all!

(I'll think about it)

Oh, and worst case scenario, I have an all-purpose, just-past-the-knee little black dress, and a pretty little black cashmere caridgan with pearl buttons, which seems to work for dressy occasions.

Whether or not I actually want to *wear* it is another matter entirely.

There's no WAY I'd buy something just for a stupid party I'd be at for two, three hours at most. I'd rent one if I didn't have one.

Maybe you can tell them that you can't go because it's so late on a work night and you like to perform at your best while at work... maybe add something in about giving 110% for such a fine company...

Bleeaarch, no, is not a good idea IMHO, they will expect more next time.

Te he, if all the rest of them except you and the temps are next day, you are going to be in a fine bargaining position!

I understand the clothes dilemma. I do have a couple of "long frocks" *but* they would have to be worn with woolly socks & Doc Martens. and certainly have no smart coat, as for handbag, don't make me

zdt

Hmmm...while I agree with Terri's "...fine bargaining position!" (And agree with you about not buying something new for 1 night, or only a few hours thereof!) I can ageree with Edward about office politics being dangerous...


I think I'd go with abbi, JEllen & fundamentally flawed(there in post 12) on this one!

(And coincidentally, we've got a Westin here - Very nice, I've been there a few times...brunches, etc.)

How tacky would it be for us to go, stay for dinner, then beg off shortly after 8:00 because K gets up for work at 4:30 (he starts at 6:00)?

Terri, nice handbags, I have- partly because I never get rid of *anything* vaguely useful, so still have the little black one from my senior prom (the dress almost fits, too ). I also have a couple of funky ones I've found here and there. I even have all-purpose dressy shoes.

Don't get me started on stockings/tights again!!

HOORAY!!!

For FROCKS N" DOCKERS!!!!



Yeh!