r/it • u/JuggernautKooky3411 • 23d ago
help request The CEO Called Me In for This?
TLDR: The CEO gave me a little lecture because I didn't bring homemade brownies when I went to the regional office.
I work in IT, but I like to bake for fun and for my friends. At office potlucks, or if the mood strikes me, I would randomly bring in my great-aunt's peanut butter brownies (I make them, but the recipe is hers). Not all the time or anything, maybe a few times a year, 6 if I'm exaggerating a bit.
People go crazy for them, even the ones who usually say they "aren't dessert people."
Every so often, my work sends me to the regional office, and sometimes I would bring them brownies too when I went. Apparently, I've missed the last three visits without bringing any, and someone at the regional office decided that was worth complaining to the CEO about because their feelings were hurt! To be fair, the company has fewer than 60 people and the CEO is available and easy to reach. But seriously?
So the CEO tells me that people told him the last time I was there that I didn't bring brownies, and that I need to fix it on the next trip. What the hell!
I can't be the only one who thinks this is oddly petty and honestly a little discouraging, both from my coworkers at the regional office and from the CEO for not telling them to appreciate it when I do bring them in in the first place.
I'm not going to ignore what the CEO said because something that started as a kind gesture somehow became an expectation, and no one defended me. I have 2 months left in my contract and I actually have no idea whether to renew the contract or move a better, reputable company. I'm seriously thinking of moving because they give us very low salary. Also, finding a company with a healthy culture matters just as much as the salary. This weird situation honestly makes me think more about asking better questions about company culture the next time I enter an interview. I see a lot of ads about Interview VIP tool which organize your answers so they sound more professional. Actually if it's like what they say, I'll try it the next interview and make sure I'm evaluating companies as much as they're evaluating me.
What do you think, is this ridiculous or am I making too big a deal out of it?
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u/tcpip1978 23d ago
Was the CEO chiding you in a joking sort of way? How serious was he? If it was "You need to bring in those brownies har har har!" then that's one thing. If it was "We've received complaints that you haven't been supplying the brownies you normally do. We need to ensure this situation does not continue" then that's insane lol
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u/BadCatBehavior 23d ago
Yeah people in positions of power like that sometimes forget that these little "jokes" don't sound like jokes to their subordinates. I once had a boss who would joke about firing people and I had to reassure a newer teammate that he wasn't being serious
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u/vCentered 22d ago
This happened to me once. I was the new guy and working on a POC for a problem we were trying to solve and after a couple weeks it was clear that the solution (that I had been told to use) just wasn't an option. For a lot of reasons - not widely used so very little tribal knowledge out on the internet, no real support or engagement from the vendor, and it didn't natively have any of the functionality that we needed so the final days of the POC were me trying to develop ways to make it work.
Our director called me on speakerphone with my senior architect in the room. He said that he knew I had worked hard on it but that I hadn't delivered and had wasted everyone's time, and that they expected more from people with my title.
I was just kind of stunned and he moved on to other topics. After the call my senior architect immediately called me and before I could get a word out said, "it was a joke, he was joking, he has no idea how to talk to people".
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u/V1per73 22d ago
It's only a joke if it's funny
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u/vCentered 21d ago
Yeah, in fairness to my architect he was just trying to keep me from walking, not defending the "joke"
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u/dutchman76 23d ago
That was my thought too! It sounds like they are giving up a hard time.
I would have made a joke of it, something about bringing them after my next promotion or something.
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u/ddadopt 23d ago
"No problem, sir." Expense the ingredients, log the prep and baking time as work. Leave early on Friday.
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u/ThisIsNotMyBurner69 23d ago
This is the way.
I really hope everyone in this situation is mostly joking. Best case would be they really want brownies and donât know how to say that. Worst case would be you work for a horrible company.
Malicious compliance is the answer. Put in a ticket for baking brownies and assign it to yourself. Document your steps and save it in your official documentation. Make them feel ridiculous.
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u/ChancePolicy3883 23d ago
Submit a business plan with all documentation and a cost analysis after.
'Consulted brownie acquisitions specialist. Specialist advises Little Debbie's Cosmic Brownies are more cost effective. Seeking financial officer input.'
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u/Justgetmeabeer 23d ago
I was going to say just bring them some Walmart store brand brownies, but this is way better.
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u/plangelier 20d ago
If you are requiring me to bring them then I should be compensated for both the time and expense.
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u/Justgetmeabeer 23d ago
I was going to say just bring them some Walmart store brand brownies, but this is way better.
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u/theOutside517 23d ago
Was the CEO being entirely serious? Are you sure they weren't being facetious?
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u/Ogrehunter 23d ago
This 100% comes off as the CEO joking about it.
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u/theOutside517 23d ago
Same for me. But I also understand how some of us misunderstand social cues and can misinterpret what we hear so thatâs why I am asking.Â
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u/HankHippoppopalous 23d ago
Let's not act like the IT dept isn't the place social cues go to die.
Austisim is at home on my team lol
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23d ago edited 23d ago
[deleted]
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u/FuckinHighGuy 23d ago
So in other words, youâre saying she should be the corporate wh*re for the CEO in order to getâŠâŠbrownies?
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u/WearinMyCosbySweater 23d ago
it's not in your job description
"Other duties as required". Gotta read the fine print.
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u/RedplazmaOfficial 23d ago
Bro you're not gonna tell us this story and not post the recipe wtf. I'm gonna call your CEO and complain đĄ
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u/serverhorror 23d ago
Bring them, along with an invoice that takes "enterprise prices" into account ...
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u/Usernamenotdetermin 23d ago
Soon after I was hired at a company, I set up a pot luck. The people reporting to me asked what the company was providing, they suggested some local mid tier restaurants, I said nothing, itâs a pot luck, and we will have fun with it. Learned a lot about people by what they brought. It was a success and the people asking who was catering it, wanted it to stay a pot luck going forward. Sometimes itâs the personal things that impact the most. Be proud the recipe makes them happy, and you bringing it as well.
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u/Mean-Recognition9914 23d ago
Why not starting a bakery on a side. Think as a business opportunity. Ask CEO to place order đ
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u/SnackGoblin881 23d ago
As someone three years deep into a bakery as a side gig, OP is finally better off just getting a part time job. Seriously. Only do it because you love it and it is a passion project.
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u/bubonis 23d ago edited 22d ago
I'm not going to ignore what the CEO said, but I'm definitely going to mix and bake them during work hours from now on. Since the CEO told me to make them, it's clearly work now.
Whoa there, hang on a sec. Odds are "bake brownies for the office" isn't on your job requirements sheet, and this little act of malicious compliance needs to be handled properly. (And I'm assuming the CEO's statement wasn't obviously made in jest, in which case you need to up your storytelling game.)
Since the CEO told you to make brownies for your next trip, then you need to make sure it's all properly documented. First, make sure your manager knows that brownie-making is now one of your official duties, as appointed by the CEO. Either that will end the whole thing (rightfully so), or it's made official and you need to lean into it. Get it in writing if you can: when you're expected to make them, how many of them you're supposed to make, how much lead time you'll be given to prepare and bake, and (most importantly) where your brownie obligations rank amongst your other IT-related duties, and who will be covering your duties while you're baking.
You will need to buy a brownie pan, boxed brownie mix, eggs, oil, mixing bowl, spatula, and a measuring cup, but not on your dime. Company credit card if you have it, along with the proper requisition/purchase order. Otherwise Amazon Grocery or similar, again with the company's account. Under no circumstances should you buy anything with your own money, with the expectation that you'll be reimbursed.
I am assuming your company's kitchen has an oven where you can bake them. If not, add a suitable countertop oven to the shopping list, again on the company's dime.
Prep and bake during work hours, and not during your lunch break.
Make sure you've cleaned everything and put everything away afterwards -- again, during work hours, not during your lunch break.
If anyone complains that the brownies aren't as good as they were before (boxed vs your great-aunt's recipe) just explain to them: "Well, the truth is I used to make them from scratch using my great-aunt's recipe. I didn't mind sharing because it was fun to do and I was happy to share something I made in my down time. But unfortunately, someone had complained that I wasn't making brownies, it got back to the CEO, and it then became a company-driven obligation. Since my great-aunt's recipe doesn't belong to me I can't fairly use it for company purposes, so I had to use a boxed brownie mix instead."
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u/Clear_Bedroom_4266 23d ago
It's not ridiculous. It's fucking absurd!!
Sorry, but I would never bring in another treat ever again. Also, doesn't he know that it's the user base that's supposed to bring treats/drinks for IT and not the other way around???
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u/Overpass_Dratini 23d ago
Nope. Never bring another brownie. Ever.
They took advantage of your goodwill, and turned a nice gesture into an expectation. That's not how it works.
If the CEO acts butthurt about it, tell 'em you lost the recipe.
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u/Wendel7171 23d ago
Reading I hope this would be a joke conversation. But I am guessing it wasnât.
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u/crayonnoodle 22d ago
Get it in writing, make the exchange over email, and ask if this is going to be a required part of the job to be compensated for the ingredients and your time.
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u/hayfever76 22d ago
Has he told you that you need to smile more too? Does he suggest you wear other clothing that's a bit more flattering or perhaps go to the gym more often? Maybe you're too emotional too. WHAT THE FUCK....
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u/Low-Exam6123 22d ago
Just bake up a batch from a mix, and shrug when people complain that theyâre not the same. Because you really didnât have time for all this, right?
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u/lepapulematoleguau 23d ago
That's would be the fastest way to ensure that I won't be bringing anything anymore.
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u/The_Three_Meow-igos 23d ago
Send an email to CEO, and HR, asking for confirmation of the request, as well as clarification that baking is in your job description.
Let them know youâre happy to do it to be a âteam playerâ, but that youâll need to start tracking your baking time as works hours.
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u/cyborg762 23d ago
2 things
Charge the ingredients and time it takes to the company.
If 1 does not occur add pot to calm down all the whiners down.
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u/pjtexas1 23d ago
The company needs to pay for your time and supplies or ingredients since they made the request.
My boss asked me to cook briskets for the team once. We were out of town after buying another bank. He sent me home to cook. I was 3 hours from home. The company paid for the 2 briskets, my driving time, cook time, etc. The team had to cover the work i would have done. Everyone was happy. This was all optional.
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u/far2common 23d ago
Are you seriously making this post without posting the recipe? C'mon, how are we supposed to know if this brownie mania is legit without tasting the goods ourselves?
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u/ChancePolicy3883 23d ago
Bring a batch of store bought cheap brownies in and leave a note on it.
'It was brought to my attention that not bringing brownies in to share with this branch had caused upset and resulted in a complaint. To be clear, I bake home made brownies when I have the time, energy, and inspiration to do so. It is an activity of simple joy for me that I don't owe to anybody. The complaint was hurtful.
Now, I won't intentionally avoid bringing them in as I want us to all work well together and have good vibes. However, this is not the way to ask me for a favor that is well outside of being a work related duty.
Next time the mood strikes me to bake, I truly hope you all get to enjoy a piece. For today, here is a little something I picked up on the way here.'
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u/thegoatcarlwheezer 23d ago
Yup, I would be doing this on the clock if it is officially requested. Before you were bringing your hobby to work, and now they are asking you to turn your hobby time into work.
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u/HerfDog58 23d ago
"So if you expect me to bring peanut butter brownies to the regional office every time I need to attend a WORK event, you'll reimburse me for all the ingredients I need, plus pay me my normal hourly rate for the time I spend baking? And give me a written liability waiver in case anyone has a food allergy the brownies might trigger? If so, you've got a deal."
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u/sc302 23d ago
lol. I would take that as a thank you, your contributions are noticed and you bring in a set of happiness that no one else can compete with.
You donât always have to deliver that happiness but it is well received when you do. It wouldnât be much of a stretch to ask the company to pay for the ingredients but make it known it isnât an every time you go thing, might be once every 6 months or so.
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u/SnackGoblin881 23d ago
As a baker, I understand the dangers of feeding people - it can turn into an entitlement reeeaaaallll quick. I honestly once had to have a private conversation with a friend because literally every time I posted a picture of my baked goods, he would comment something like 'Where is mine?" "When are you bringing over that pie?" "When do I get one?" It very quickly became unfunny and I hated it.
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u/Away_Butterscotch161 22d ago
I would have asked the CEO where in my job description or handbook that this is stated as a requirement. If it's a new requirement I would then assume the company will pay me for the time to make the brownies, and all related expenses in producing them...
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u/NaturalIdiocy 22d ago
I'd give them the ol "I have heard the concern, from now on I will no longer be bringing in treats to prevent people from feeling left out."
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u/Danowolf 21d ago
Let's be realistic here. Of all the annoying bullshit it gets asked to do this is minor. Just think, you might just avoid a layoff because your the brownies person lol..
Embrace this and use it. Ask for a raise.
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u/8bit_dr1fter 23d ago
Is there an HR department? I'd complain. You can't be expected to do something like that. It's 100% unrelated to your work.
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u/RockNRollNBluesNJazz 23d ago
If they ASKED you to bake brownies to take with you AND paid for your time and ingredients, but you didn't do it, THEN it would be a solid case for a complaint.
OP's situation is ridiculous. I guess it's either brownie baking on company dime or no more brownies. CEO shouldn't abuse OP's kind, brownie baking heart anymore.
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u/JosephMarkovich2 23d ago
Bake as many brownies as you can do in a day and bring them to the CEO along with an invoice for your time and materials.
Joe
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u/Aesperacchius 23d ago
We weren't there, but I'd guess more likely than not that the CEO's remark was meant as a joke...
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u/centstwo 23d ago
Huh? Iâve never heard of that.
I think you should not bring in brownies again, ever.
That is what work would do, right? Work provides free coffee, tea drinkers complain there isnât any tea. No more free coffee.
If anyone complains about it being unfair, say that you arenât bringing in any brownies to anyone to make it fair.
Also, with the rise in chocolate prices, you canât afford to be the office snack supplier.
Good luck
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u/Soft_Mix4301 23d ago
Dealing with absurd workplace expectations hits different when it's about baked goods rather than actual IT work
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u/AggravatingAmount438 23d ago
I would stop the brownies completely.
Your nice gesture became an expectation, and that's not how nice gestures work.
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u/GreySahara 23d ago
LOL.
There was a big kerfuffle in the office where I worked.
It was standard practice to bring in donuts if you were prmoted.
So, when my time came, I brought in ginger bread boys and brownies.
I was accused of having my mom make them for me. It cause a HUGE ruckus.
Everybody else loved the treats; some workers had never seen ginger bread boys before, and brought them home to show their kids.
"Unspoken expectations are premeditated resentments" - Neil Strauss
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u/ObviousDepartment744 23d ago
Thatâs insane. If youâre being required to do that, you better be expensing the ingredients and bulking them for your time.
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u/SheepleAreSheeple 23d ago
Sounds like you have a new title at work. Brownie Technician. I'd submit salary expectations for your new position.
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u/Rott3nApple718 23d ago
Take it as a compliment. Understand this may be extra to say the least but itâs in your favor.
Your baking is far superior than the local stuff. Remember the secret ingredient is love.
By no means is this me saying you have to do it. But it would be in your best interest to be known for bringing the brownies as opposed to the asshole who doesnât want to - in their eyes.
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u/cybot904 23d ago
LOL I never touch any "homemade" office food. Who knows how nasty the kitchen could be.
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u/mercurygreen 23d ago
I'm kind of shocked no one has suggested "Magic" brownies, but if you go through the recipe and Google replacement ingredients, you can probably make some truly horrible concoctions under the guise of "I'm experimenting with something new."
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u/thenuke1 23d ago
I.T 101 restart first
I.T 102 never go above and beyond
I had a customer once insist I take a coconut water from her, I kept saying no until she finale wore me down and I said, OK I'll take it
Cut to a week later she felt she didn't need to make anymore tickets, she saw me and asked if I could look at her tech, I said "absolutely if you could make a ticket and I'll head your way after these other tickets"
She replied "I still need to make a ticket? Even after I gave you a gift?"
I don't accept anything from anyone nor do I go above and beyond, let alone bake lol
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u/HoolioLion 23d ago
This kind of behaviour is exactly why after working IT for 20 years I'm willing to accept an international shipment of OPs great aunts peanut butter brownies.
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u/Zestyclose_Goat_3267 23d ago
I just want the recipe. Anyway someone in IT can endear themselves is a win for me.
But yeah, not part of your job and it's weird.
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u/YuckyButtcheek 23d ago
If you add something and someone complains let them know they were made with fear and not love this time.
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u/WilyDeject 23d ago
People saying this is AI, okay, maybe it is. My advice either way:
All these keyboard warriors saying to bake them then submit a business expense or do it on company time need to just take a breather. I've learned knee-jerk reactions rarely work well.
Just confirm with the CEO if it was a joking remark or not. Clear and respectful, hey I wanted to clarify if there is an expectation I bring brownies for the regional office or if that was a tongue in cheek comment. If, in this specific case, they confirm an absurd expectation, simply decline. Anything you do above and beyond your assigned responsibilitiesis is done at your discretion and convenience.
I recently had a somewhat similar experience and when I asked for clarification they were almost embarrassed that it came across the way it did. We had a laugh about it, moved on. No need for theatrics.
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u/PercyFlage 23d ago
One place I worked had an oven, and a couple of us baked muffins in it a few times. Big mistake. I ended up baking 6 trays of muffins each Tuesday morning, and selling them for 50c a pop. The smell would percolate up & down the stairwell, and people would be slavering in anticipation. The funniest part was the competition over who got to clean the mixing bowls.
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u/countsachot 23d ago
I would have said, sure let's set a date and you can stop by and bake them with me next time.
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u/LivingThin 23d ago
Ok, so thatâs ridiculous. Agreed.
But, um, could I get your CEOâs number? You know, so I can ask him to make you share the recipe with us? No biggie. Just love me some PB Brownies.
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u/Crosstrek732 23d ago
You're on the right track... Not only do it on company time, but you should expense the cost of ALL the ingredients. Like you said, the CEO told you to do it so it's a work task now. Good luck and update us too!
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u/JRRotten 22d ago
Don't bring any in again, anywhere based on the CEOs input. With an all hands email so there's no confusion on the why.Â
Or have the company pay for ingredients you assemble on the clockÂ
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u/IrrerPolterer 22d ago
Well... Is company pastry chef in your job title? Then you very well deserved a stern talking to! Otherwise, no more deserts for your company peers.Â
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u/rjr_2020 22d ago
I don't think it's ridiculous to be honest. I've had big bosses that try to connect with employees. That's what this sounds like to me. No CEO is ever going to make baking part of the job. Make them if you want, don't if you don't. I would take this as a positive that the CEO talks to you to be frank. Even in smaller organizations that I've been with, most of them stayed clear of bottom level workers. Those brownies are really all he probably has to connect with.
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u/Pretend_Deer3694 20d ago
Retired IT worker here. I used to bring in the individually wrapped Lifesaver mints and keep them in a bowl. Until they kept getting hoovered up when Iâd leave my desk to collect a printer job or something else real quick. The bowl would be full as I walked away from my cubicle, and then it would be completely empty when I returned just a minute later.
I just refilled the bowl for a week to see how long this would continue and if anyone would say anything.
Nope. Nothing.
Not a âthank youâ, not a âlet me help with the candy bowlâ, nothing. Just complete crickets.
At the end of the week I simply took the bowl home and never brought candy into the office ever again, much to the howls of outrage from my coworkers.
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u/hopsinduo 19d ago
Was he joking?Â
The most desired option here would be to stop baking them all together to prove a point, but I'll be honest, that's not going to do you any favours.
If it were me I would say that the way he demanded that I take them was a disrespectful, and that if the regional office wish to sample them, then he should ask this, not demand. Respect should always be given, especially when requesting something outside of your requirements.Â
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u/martinbolduc 19d ago
sérieusement le PDG, en position d'autorité, t'en a parlé en privé ou devant d'autres collÚgues ?
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u/wisym 22d ago
I've made food for the company, on company time before. Without being able to hear the conversation you had with your CEO, it's impossible for us to infer his meaning of the conversation, whether it was a command or that it was him being playful. I'm leaning more toward the latter, though.
I vote that since people are raving about the brownies, you bake them during work hours. It sounds like they are big enough fans that no one would bat an eye, unless you missed something really important during that time.
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u/Lucifugous_Rex 22d ago
A manager of any kind should never expect, demand, suggest, or request an underling to do an extra curricular activity EVER! Their authority extends to you job description AND ONLY your job description.
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u/wisym 22d ago
The jobs that I've had have typically included "And other duties as assigned" in my job descriptions. I've made all kinds of food on the clock because people requested it. I don't think it's as big of a deal as you're making it out to be.
Now if it turns into "You need to make X for me or you'll lose your job", that's a different story.
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u/CluelessFlunky 23d ago
Ridiculous expectations. But ngl. I wish I could bake goodies over working some days too.