Office Pizza Party is a Foul Reward for Overworked, Underpaid Workers

Workers love pizza parties!

Or do they?

One day in the not-so-distant past, they did. Managers used to surprise the team with a tasty pizza lunch and a break from the hustle and bustle of the workweek as a simple reward for a job well done. It was an easy way for the boss to show some appreciation. 

But the pizza party lost its appeal. 

Why Workers Hate the Office Pizza Party

Managers relied too much on pizza, thinking that a few paltry slices every now and again would make up for toxic customers and low wages. Instead of a fun bonus, pizza became the only reward. 

Users of the popular Anti-Work community explained why pizza parties aren’t the answer. 

The thread’s Original Poster (OP) came to Reddit apologizing for their early thoughts on pizza parties. They used to think pizza parties showed the company’s gratitude, but after experiencing one, they realized the truth. 

Pizza doesn’t cut it. 

A Slice of Pizza vs. Everything Else

OP said their company is at total capacity, meaning employees are overworked and constantly dealing with challenging customers. Everyone is stressed out, overwhelmed, exhausted, and angry. 

The company’s solution to these massive problems?

Pizza. 

But they couldn’t even spring for a full pizza party. Instead, in a greedy attempt to spend as little money as possible, they announced that every employee could only have one slice. 

A single slice of pizza was supposed to compensate for the weeks of horrible treatment, long hours, and stressful days. 

One slice of pizza “instead of hiring more staff, or giving better training, more support, any form of security,” as OP succinctly put it. 

OP doesn’t want the pizza. They want better working conditions, but that’s too much for management, which wants to spend as little money as possible. 

Pizza Parties Work in Certain Situations

Employees get upset when a multibillion-dollar corporation only offers pizza parties instead of raises, bonuses, or anything else. 

But pizza parties or lunches can work, depending on the circumstances. 

When a direct supervisor who doesn’t control the purse springs splurges on pizza or a meal out for their employees, it’s seen as a nice gesture. Workers know their first-line supervisor has no control over the wages or bonuses, and they appreciate that at least someone in the company cares, even if they’re powerless to change the situation. 

Pizza parties can also work in the way they were originally intended: as a surprise bonus. Employees who are paid well, treated well, and generally happy still appreciate extra gratitude for a job well done. 

A Pizza Party Instead of a Raise

The most offensive workplace pizza party is the one that asks workers to accept a few slices of cheap pizza in exchange for a raise. 

It’s not the same thing. Not even close. 

After months of toil, employees expect tangible rewards, like raises and cash bonuses. A pizza party can’t replace that, and it’s offensive for the boss to suggest it can. 

Management Pizza Parties are Worse

Some users of the subreddit shared stories of pizza parties limited to management staff and above. The employees do all the work, and the company can’t offer them a single slice. 

One shared that the managers graciously allowed the staff the leftovers as if that’s enough to make up for low wages and being excluded from the special treat in the first place. 

Keep Your Pizza

Employees don’t want pizza parties. They want to earn enough money to support themselves and their families. They want time off. 

Companies think that paltry rewards like pizza parties and casual Fridays are enough to keep good employees happy. They’re not. 

To keep good employees, companies need to show they care. The best way to show appreciation is through pay raises and bonuses. 

Treat your employees well; they will continue to go above and beyond for you. Treat them poorly and insult them with the bare minimum, and they’ll jump ship. 

Companies need to do better for their employees.