Employee Asks If They’re Saying “No Thanks” To Planning A Baby Shower For A Coworker

• By Arsalan Sajid
• 4 months ago
• 4 minutes read

Everyone in the workplace should be treated with equal respect and importance by their coworkers, because putting more value on one person can harm the feelings of others. People should remember that they must maintain equality in order to maintain the decorum of the workplace and flourish in their lives.

OP shared a story about an employee named Bambi who was expecting, and her colleague Jessica wanted to throw her baby shower and compelled OP to take part. OP disliked Bambi since she was not their type of person, but they had a normal professional interaction with one other. Jessica intended to organize a baby shower for her and messaged OP and others to schedule a meeting. Read the complete story to find out OP’s reaction, as four other coworkers just had infants and no one arranged a baby shower for them.

Source: Reddit

Image Credits: Vidal Balielo Jr. (not the actual photo)

1. OP is questioning whether she was wrong to decline planning a baby shower for a coworker.

2. OP explained that she didn’t like her coworker Bambi and only maintained a professional relationship with her.

3. Jessica, another coworker, decided to plan a baby shower for Bambi and expected OP to participate.

4.OP respectfully declined to help plan the baby shower but offered to assist in other ways instead.

5. OP received criticism from her friends and Jessica for her decision.

OP declined to participate but offered assistance in planning a suitable date for the event and cleaning up after the celebration. Jessica became dissatisfied with OP’s response, and a few friends urged that OP suck it up. OP’s employer was unconcerned with the situation, and OP emphasized that it was unfair to other coworkers to plan a baby shower for Bambi alone.

Now that you’ve heard the story, let’s dive into what Redditors had to say. Keep reading to discover other people’s perspectives on the matter.

6. Jessica cannot compel OP to act according to her own wishes.

7. Redditor shared a similar workplace story where they protested against a baby shower because they hadn’t received one themselves.

8. Other colleagues who had babies hadn’t received a baby shower, so why should only Bambi have one?

9. Yes, being a woman doesn’t obligate one to be a part of another woman’s baby shower.

10. Treating every employee equally is essential to prevent hurt feelings.

11. Redditor shares a story when they didn’t receive a single card from their colleagues during a three-month illness.

12. Redditor refused to participate in a retirement party because no one before had received one, and it felt unfair.

13. Well, that could be the key difference.

14. According to the Redditor, women are more likely to value such parties.

15. It’s unrealistic to expect someone to throw a party for someone they’re not close to.

16. Such a usual office story!

17. Redditor offers thoughtful advice to young working women.

18. Redditor has a point: women often bear the burden of planning parties.

19. A committee composed solely of employees to thank other employees? That’s unfair.

20. Exactly—why should only Bambi have a baby shower when other colleagues who also had babies did not?

OP had every right to say no to Jessica because it was unjust to the other employees who had infants in the past and no one had arranged a baby shower for them. OP disliked Bambi, so why would they want to engage in that activity? However, providing them a helping hand after a party was a good gesture from OP. Jessica and other employees had no right to critique OP because no one wants to put in extra effort for someone they don’t like, and if Jessica wanted to do something for her, she could do it herself, and forcing others to participate is ridiculous. What are your thoughts about it? Please leave your comments in the section provided below, and follow Wholesomeness for more stories.