Admin Christmas Gifts - Pay Them More or Stop Asking

Prefacing this by saying that I like and appreciate my admin. Probably going to be a hot take and come off as out of touch, but as an analyst or associate, I should not be expected to shell out hundreds of dollars on an admin gift. Got told tonight the “range” that I should contribute for our admins Christmas gift.

  • First off, comparing base salaries, I don’t make that much more than an admin at the junior level, and almost certainly less on an hourly adjusted basis
  • I still have student loans, live in a shitty apartment, and have people that I love and care deeply about that I’d rather spend this money on
  • THE MAIN REASON: The partners that my admin supports all have 9 figure net worths

If there are any partners or MDs who read this forum, pay the admins more you cheap fucks. Or stop asking the mid 20 year old analysts and associates for gifts when you barely pay us better. Yeah I’m sure your 8 figure carry check is barely keeping you afloat, that’s why you need help - I’ll just go fuck myself

13 Comments
 
Funniest

Hang it there my brother, you are not alone in this... Our admin literally just doesn't pay the balances on our corporate amex cards, so half the team's cards are cancelled. Because of this, we all have multiples thousands of dollars of expenses (talking >4 months here) on personal cards with no signs of getting reimbursed any times soon, and this is the just tip of the iceberg. Best part is, our group head, who will be making millions coming off of a record year, still asked everybody to shell hundreds per person for her Christmas bonus (without mentioning that I also know for a fact she makes way more on an hourly basis than we do). 

So yeah, in spirit of the giving season, don't forget to tip your MDs for kindly reminding you about your admin!

P.S.: At that point, might as well try asking them for a tax receipt, because lets be honest, this is fucking charity.

 

Some of them can boil your blood with incompetence or borderline bullying as theyre frustrated with their lives and feel backed by the Partner. That said, just pay up and view it as a business expense. A bit like a new suit or a commuting - it’s part of the gig. This isn’t the time nor the place to make a point, otherwise it’ll come out of your bonus way harder next year. Play the long game (and promise yourself to resolve the issue over the next 365 days).

 

Stop saving their ass and start documenting incompetence, not doing what’s expected etc. Then you can start making a case. Don’t want to schedule meetings? OK, no meeting for anyone - if asked refer to admin. Don’t want to approve my expenses? OK, email to Partner you haven’t been paid and with you many others and ask what’s going on. Don’t want to do printing on time? OK, no books for the meeting - if asked refer to admin.

Just make sure you’re very clear on what’s your and their responsibility - not only in your own mind but also the Partner’s. It’s clear the admin thinks they only work for the Partner (hence their behaviour). And be squeaky clean on your requests - timely, no ambiguity, polite but direct, if occasionally and reasonably pushed back you need to eat it the first few times, etc. 

 

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