Formal event: do I pay for staff monkey suit hire?

[audidoody]

Our organisation is hosting a formal dinner for customers next month. We've laid on a table for some ancilliary staff. Some of them are asking if we will pay for their monkey suit hire. My attitude is "fck off - you''re getting free food and booze all night". Before I tell them that and get arrested by the Human Rights police I thought I'd seek some collective wisdom from the oracle that is P&P.

Edited by audidoody on Thursday 12th March 12:12

[UncappedTag]

audidoody said:

Our organisation is hosting a formal dinner for customers next month. We've laid on a table for some ancilliary staff. Some of them are asking if we will pay for their monkey suit hire. My attitude is "fck off - you''re getting free food and booze all night", before I get arrested by the Human Rights police I thought I'd seek some collective wisdom from the oracle that is P&P.

Oh you could have fun with this. Buy them a gimp suit each

[Davey111]

My attitude is that if I have a job that requires me to wear a suit or tux then I should either buy one or be willing to hire one. If there is free booze and food then I would just make sure I made my money back on that!

[scotal]

Tell them no, that's not in the budget. Some fo them will turn up in lounge suits with ordinary ties. They will stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. Inform them of this.

[dan1981]

Is it optional for them to be there?

If yes then they can sort their own bloody clothes out.

If you're making them go and making them wear formal gear then a gesture may be appreciated.

[Mike400]

If its a non compulsary function, out of hours, then tell them to foxtrot oscar - its their choice to go, and they are getting free food and drink too ffs...

If it was a casual do would you provide them with casual clothes?

thought not....

[Simpo Two]

Mike400 said:

If it was a casual do would you provide them with casual clothes?

thought not....

Hardly a fair analogy as everyone (except possibly undertakers) has casual clothes anyway.

[Adam B]

non-compulsory - FO

compulsory and you insist on black tie rather than lounge suit - make a 50% contribution if they don't own one

IMHO

[sleep envy]

how many staff have asked?

[esselte]

Adam B said:

non-compulsory - FO

compulsory and you insist on black tie rather than lounge suit - make a 50% contribution if they don't own one

IMHO

If they're being forced to go why should they have to pay anything?

[Nervus]

Free meal and booze? - No such thing! If you want them there, then you should pay for everything

[audidoody]

Adam B said:

non-compulsory - FO

compulsory and you insist on black tie rather than lounge suit - make a 50% contribution if they don't own one

IMHO

That was my thinking. That's an excellent suggestion.

[esselte]

audidoody said:

Edit: they are not being forced to go. A table has been laid on and they are free to attend or not attend as they wish.

Up to them to pay then..in my opinion of course...are you worried not many will turn up?

[audidoody]

esselte said:

audidoody said:

Edit: they are not being forced to go. A table has been laid on and they are free to attend or not attend as they wish.

Up to them to pay then..in my opinion of course...are you worried not many will turn up?

Not really... just trying to find the right balance between doing 'the right thing' and not having the p*ss taken! (eg being presented with a £130 bill for an Armarni suit hire with gold-thread formal shirt and alligator-skin shoes).

Edited by audidoody on Thursday 12th March 12:41

[GreigM]

While you say its not compulsory, its a "formal dinner for customers" - i.e. effectively a work event....IMHO you should pay, they will be coming out of obligation rather than desire, so why should it cost them.....the benefit is to your business and not the employee...

[audidoody]

Thanks for the input, All points valid. Will offer them each a £45 contribution for suit hire.

[esselte]

audidoody said:

Thanks for the input, All points valid. Will offer them each a £45 contribution for suit hire.

seems reasonable..moss bros do 3 different styles for less than that... (I've never hired one so wouldn't know where was best)

Edited by esselte on Thursday 12th March 12:56

[VladD]

audidoody said:

Thanks for the input, All points valid. Will offer them each a £45 contribution for suit hire.

The other alternative is for you to do a deal with a local hire shop so that anyone who wants hire can get it, but at a decent price.

[hornetrider]

audidoody said:

(eg being presented with a £130 bill for an Armarni suit hire with gold-thread formal shirt and alligator-skin shoes).

Estate Agency? Recruitment Consultancy?

[Dr Jekyll]

But why make it formal in the first place? Suit and 'ordinary' tie hardly constitutes 'casual wear' in any case.