Comments on: Excluding Employees from Activities: Hostile / Uncomfortable Workplace?

By: halestrm

halestrm — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:25:36 +0000

First off, do not allow the worker to do this during work hours. If they have posted a sign on a "community" board, fine, but insist that the collection, etc be done during breaks, lunch, before or after they are on the clock.

I am not sure where you are, but in AZ you cannot "gamble" without a permit, it is illegal. We had a case here (not sure when) where the employer was fined for allowing gambling. I will try to find the case. The state was notified by an unhappy person who was morally outraged about the betting. (It was a stupid college basketball March Madness thing).

If I were you, I would stop the whole lottery drawing cash collection from being a work place sponsored/ supported thing.

UPDATE
I was unable to find the article on the company that was fined here. This link shows a summary of gambling laws per state. Hopefully this will help you if you should decide to stop the lottery at the office.

http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Law-Summary/

best of luck.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:25:36 +0000

How about, if it’s not work related I cannot allow ANYONE to participate? that might be the way to go. You are paying these people to work in the office or to socialize and play the lottery???

By: Goblin

Goblin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:25:36 +0000

I am guessing that your best bet (although no fun) is to not let them post the lottery list inside the workplace. Otherwise, the excluded guy has grounds to complain about something. Is there an owner or board you could discuss this with?

By: Am

Am — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:25:36 +0000

Of course she has the choice of who she picks and whatever BUT I will warn you of a couple of things. If the person who is being left out complains to someone higher then you, the person conducting this, anyone involved, and you (for allowing it) can get into trouble. Most companies have policy against gambling or promoting gambling on company property & time. Also what about wasting company time to do things like this. Not doing your job to take time to promote gambling. I would stop this on company time and property.

I would review the company policies on this kind of thing. Then go from there. You are 1 dept head, there must be others or you would have said you were the company owner.

By: Phoebe Finch

Phoebe Finch — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:25:36 +0000

You cannot force employees to include each other in non-work related activities but if I were you I would tell the employee that they can’t post any more notices about the lottery. They can collect via word of mouth but that the postings are innappropriate for the break room (or wherever it is posted) That makes it so you are no longer the middleman.

By: roadrunner426440

roadrunner426440 — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:25:36 +0000

Personally as a boss I would not participate in this (and I don’t BTW)

I would make it clear this is not a work related activity that would take place during work hours

That way they can do what they want and you are not involved