Our Office Birthday Levy Arrived Before Our Salaries
A birthday levy landed while salaries were late, and the staff WhatsApp group caught fire.
I work as an accounts assistant in a small Abuja office where salaries were six weeks late. Admin then announced a compulsory ₦25,000 contribution for the managing director’s birthday dinner. I objected in the staff WhatsApp group because my landlord was already calling. Seven colleagues paid; four refused. HR blocked the refusers’ access cards until we signed a new consent sheet. My signature appeared on the old sheet, but beside ₦10,000, not ₦25,000, and it was signed before the salary delay. The director says the dinner protects staff morale and suppliers are booked. We say celebration should not arrive before wages.
The question before the court
Should an office birthday levy stand while staff salaries remain overdue?
- Pay only the amount originally written beside my signature.
- Refund everyone; celebration cannot outrank unpaid wages.
- Contribute after salaries clear, if staff still agree.
- Refuse entirely and ask HR to restore blocked access.
The final judgment
No verdict could be reached because no valid votes were cast.
- Pay only the amount originally written beside my signature.: 0 valid votes, 0%
- Refund everyone; celebration cannot outrank unpaid wages.: 0 valid votes, 0%
- Contribute after salaries clear, if staff still agree.: 0 valid votes, 0%
- Refuse entirely and ask HR to restore blocked access.: 0 valid votes, 0%
0 valid votes. Final, server-validated record.
Community opinion, not legal advice.