My coworkers have started charging a cancellation fee if you bail on lunch plans.
By @vincetbh · Work
A few people on my team have gotten organized and created a 'lunch club'. The problem is, if you RSVP yes and then can't make it for any reason, they're charging a $5 cancellation fee they claim is for the 'emotional damage' of you not being there.
The full story
I work in a pretty standard office environment. To make things a bit more interesting, a group of about eight people on my floor decided to create a 'lunch club.' The idea was to get out of the office more and try new places, which I fully support. The organizer, one of the senior project managers, sends out a calendar invite every Monday with the restaurant for that Friday. You have until Wednesday to RSVP. Here’s where it gets weird. Two weeks ago, I RSVP'd yes for a new taco place. On Friday morning, I got pulled into an urgent client meeting that I absolutely could not miss. It was scheduled to run right through lunch. I emailed the organizer to let her know I couldn't make it and apologized. they replied back, 'No problem, just Venmo me the $5 cancellation fee.' I thought it was a joke. It wasn't. She explained that last-minute cancellations 'kill the vibe' and create 'logistical and emotional labor' for the planners. Apparently, they had all agreed to this rule, but it was my first time hearing about it. I tried to argue that a client meeting was a valid excuse, but she said 'a rule is a rule' and that it applies to everyone, regardless of the reason. they said it's to ensure people are 'committed' to the social health of the team. I still haven't paid the $5. It's not about the money, obviously, it's the principle of the matter. Now things are slightly awkward. A few people are on my side, saying it's a ridiculous policy for a casual lunch. But the organizer and her core group are acting like I've broken a sacred pact. They're making little comments about 'accountability' and 'respecting people's time.' I just wanted to eat tacos, not join a high-stakes social contract.
How people voted
- Side A — 23% (9 votes)
- Both — 40% (16 votes)
- Side B — 38% (15 votes)
Readers are split: “Both” leads with 40% — 40 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@violetagain — Emotional damage from a missed lunch. a new workplace low.
@piaok2 — I feel like maybe you've cancelled more than once for them to make a rule like this.
@ehhmaybe — I would 'accidentally' reply-all to the whole team asking for clarification on the emotional damage policy.
@plottwistlol — Your time is the company's time, and if they need you in a meeting, that's the end of it.
@nicook2 — Why wasn't this policy clearly communicated to everyone from the start?
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