Office Lunch

[samandryanmom]

I work in a sales office with salespeople and sales assistants. The other day all of the sales people disappeared along with the boss around lunch time. The boss took all of the sales people out to lunch and said nothing to the sales assistants. As one of the sales assistants myself, I was a little irked but let it go. Some others have not. I can see their point. We all work hard and feel like we're a big team. We've have several sales people leave over the last few months and of course the assistants are left to pick up the slack. It would have been nice to have been included or at least asked if there was anything we wanted for them to bring back.

What are your thoughts? Just trying to get opinions of others who aren't directly involved.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

If you are on the team and they have a team lunch you should be included.

 

[tvguy]

Not saying it is right, but it happens all the time in the departments where I work. Although the meetings that managers have has a group most often seemed to be catered.

 

[wgeo]

It doesn't seem that bad to me. Sure I'm human and probably would have been somewhat jealous to be left behind, but I would have let it go. These are 2 different positions and it seems natural thing for the boss to do.

Now if some of the sales assistants feel like they are actually doing the job of a sales person then they should take that up with the boss seperately.

The only time I could see someone legit being upset with this if all the people in their position got invited and they didn't (for example all of the sales people except one got to go) or something like that. Otherwise no, this is normal office hierarchy type stuff.

 

[china mom]

^^ agree. Our office used to all go out together once in a while and on more than one occasion, the Director treated. Then, one day, the lower level people didn't get invited, only his Chiefs. It hurt my feelings for about 30 seconds and then I moved on.

As long as it isn't just one peron from that group being excluded, I would not think anything of it.

 

[sam_gordon]

It doesn't seem that bad to me. Sure I'm human and probably would have been somewhat jealous to be left behind, but I would have let it go. These are 2 different positions and it seems natural thing for the boss to do.

Now if some of the sales assistants feel like they are actually doing the job of a sales person then they should take that up with the boss seperately.

The only time I could see someone legit being upset with this if all the people in their position got invited and they didn't (for example all of the sales people except one got to go) or something like that. Otherwise no, this is normal office hierarchy type stuff.

This. Sure, it sucks when it feels like you're being slighted, but the assistants are free to improve themselves and become sales reps themselves.

Our GM allows one department to work "summer hours". Basically they work longer days M-Th and take a half day F. That department will also often take off early on the Friday before a holiday weekend. My department however has to be around a certain times to get their jobs done (you can't "work ahead"). When they complain the other department can take off early, we tell them they're more than welcome to apply for any open positions. In 20+ years, I think one person has applied.

 

[disneychrista]

Makes sense to me that the manager would meet with sales team but not their assistants. It would then be up to the sales team to relay the information to the assistants.

 

[okeydokey]

Did the boss pay for the lunch for the sales team? How many are there? And how many assistants?

If the boss if treating lunch for one group, it would be nice to do something for all the groups. It's his call though.

 

[TavieP]

the assistants are free to improve themselves

Yikes, this wording makes me cringe - I know what you mean, but I happen to personally think that a salesperson is in no way an improvement over a sales assistant in any of the ways that count.

 

[paisleys]

I work in a sales office with salespeople and sales assistants. The other day all of the sales people disappeared along with the boss around lunch time. The boss took all of the sales people out to lunch and said nothing to the sales assistants. As one of the sales assistants myself, I was a little irked but let it go. Some others have not. I can see their point. We all work hard and feel like we're a big team. We've have several sales people leave over the last few months and of course the assistants are left to pick up the slack. It would have been nice to have been included or at least asked if there was anything we wanted for them to bring back.

What are your thoughts? Just trying to get opinions of others who aren't directly involved.

This would not have bothered me all as it’s two different positions. Also, I’m curious as to the numbers— like how many sales people and how many sales assistants are there? I know that where i used to work it would have been a huge budget strain to take all of both positions out.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would have been happy to be left behind. I’m not a fan of going out for lunch with coworkers. Lol.

 

[disneychrista]

Yikes, this wording makes me cringe - I know what you mean, but I happen to personally think that a salesperson is in no way an improvement over a sales assistant in any of the ways that count.

Really? Just looking at the titles, I would assume the assistants are their to HELP the sales team. If I was a assistant then it would be a promotion to become part of the sales team.

 

[amberpi]

Makes sense to me that the manager would meet with sales team but not their assistants. It would then be up to the sales team to relay the information to the assistants.

That’s what I would have thought too, or that they were discussion things that only pertained to the sales professionals. Next week it may just be the sales assistants with discussion around their challenges, etc.

 

[fla4fun]

I could be mistaken, but in my mind a sales person is the person who goes out and brings in the business, and the sales assistants are the support staff. It’s been common everywhere I have worked that people who bring in business get the perks like the lunch, and the support staff don’t. It doesn’t mean the sales assistants don’t work hard or deserve to be recognized, but that’s just the way it is. I prefer to be in a supporting role, even if it does mean missing out on perks once in a while.

 

[soccerdad72]

It would be nice for the manager to do something for the sales assistants as well, but like others, I can see how they would have a sales team meeting without the assistants.

 

[morgan98]

Different people go out to lunch paid by my employer all the time. It is normal for supervisors to take their direct reports, people on different projects go out etc.

I don't give it a second thought.

 

[TavieP]

Really? Just looking at the titles, I would assume the assistants are their to HELP the sales team. If I was a assistant then it would be a promotion to become part of the sales team.

I've been a sales assistant in the past. I never, ever had any ambitions to become a salesperson. It's a different skillset altogether (and often a different personality type, which I'm happy not to share.)

 

[disneychrista]

I've been a sales assistant in the past. I never, ever had any ambitions to become a salesperson. It's a different skillset altogether (and often a different personality type, which I'm happy not to share.)

Exactly. Learning a new skill IS improving ones self. Doesn't mean that everyone who is an assistant wants to acquire the skills to move to the position they are assisting and that's is okay.

 

[samandryanmom]

It's great to hear everyone's thoughts!! It's a pretty small office...three sales people and three assistants. We are short two sales people so normally five sales people and three assistants.

It was not a sales meeting where information was exchanged. They do have those and it is just for the sales people. It was a "Hey, we've had a pretty good week, I'm taking you out to lunch."

I agree with the opinion that it is a special skill set and personality to be in sales and be successful. And not everyone is cut out for it. I've been on the fence about how I feel. In the long run, it doesn't matter it was just lunch. But on the flip side because it was a reward for a good week, it does kind of sting more. Since we do all work closely, they wouldn't have had such a good week if not for the "help" that was given.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've been a sales assistant in the past. I never, ever had any ambitions to become a salesperson. It's a different skillset altogether (and often a different personality type, which I'm happy not to share.)

And that's fine. I could never be a sales person either. But, I don't think it's right for me to complain about the benefits sales people get (whether it's more money, more time off, company car, whatever) when I'm not willing to try to be one of them.