Question: inviting SO to company lunch?

[ZOA NOM]

mreid make an excellent point that may be the best course of action for you. Submit the receipt with deductions for the freeloaders noted (maybe a generalized comment about two non-employees). The goodwill gesture will reflect on you to the boss, and word will likely get back to the freeloaders. This transfers the Karma decision to them, leaving you on the high road from all perspectives.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by widebody911

There were 8 people total, with 2 freeloaders.

From what I could tell, the significant others were not acquainted with the people who actually worked with the guy; they were just straight-up freeloading. In the future, I'll make it clear in the invitation that it's for employees only. Our official policy doesn't even allow temp workers to partake in these events.

I could see inviting significant others for a big off-premises event like a Christmas party.

And usually it's noted whether the SO's are invited. At my wife's company holiday party (a multi-office affair), I'm not.

[john70t]

Cross your eyes, look a little crazy, and announce loudly:"Shuuuuu-eeee. If I'da known there'd be so many fiiiine honeys commin I'da brought me a blowup pool and a 5 gallon jug of Crisco"

That should fix it for next time.

[island911]

What if those guys regularly have lunch with their SO's? ....then comes along this pseudo-required Work-lunch? ....should they have to give-up their lunch-hour AND have to ditch their SO's. ...just for the price of a lunch?

[masraum]

Very weird, both on the self invitations and not offering to separate out the bill. Losers

What if those guys regularly have lunch with their SO's? ....then comes along this pseudo-required Work-lunch? ....should they have to give-up their lunch-hour AND have to ditch their SO's. ...just for the price of a lunch?

Yeah

[Tobra]

Put it in the sketchy behavior file

Mr Reid nailed it.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by island911

What if those guys regularly have lunch with their SO's? ....then comes along this pseudo-required Work-lunch? ....should they have to give-up their lunch-hour AND have to ditch their SO's. ...just for the price of a lunch?

Then you very clearly state to your boss: "My SO will be attending, please let me contribute her share, it's not necessary for the company to buy her lunch".

At which point the tables are turned and you find out if your boss is a cheap ass....becasue I would expect him to say "You work a lot of free OT, I think I can justify covering it, but thanks for offering...".

[Neilk]

To make the freeloaders feel like schmucks, next time there is a company lunch, add a note that spouses are not allowed without prior approval. Everyone will know what you mean and hopefully the freeloaders will get the point... although freeloaders tend to be oblivious to direct hints about their behavior.

[widgeon13]

It's a lunch, not a new car. Geez!

[azasadny]

Very weird and very poor etiquette. The people who brought others to the lunch should have paid for their meals.