Chip in at work to buy new microwave?

The microwave at work is on it's last legs. I was just told by the office manager that they were considering having everyone chip in to buy a new one. Shocked, I said, Isn't that an office expense? She said no and that the current one, which is several years old now, was purchased by a former director.

I consider this an office expense, like the computer I use, office supplies, air conditioning, etc, like every other place I have worked at. I've never heard of the employees expected to provide their own office microwave. There are only 7 or 8 people, so the share might actually be a substantial amount!

What should I do? I mean besides look for a new job which I have already been doing. How should I handle this?

Ha ha larmarine83. I forgot about the smug affluents - sorry. Yes, for me $17 would be a good chunk, seeing as how I am a single mother and have learned the value of a dollar the hard way. I am currently scrounging everything I can to build up enough to get my child to the dentist and repair my car. I am sorry if you feel this makes me a "cheep skate", heaven forbid I put my family first.

I realize it's a convenience, not a requirement. So is air conditioning and paper clips. So I have to pay to replace these things when they wear out? I don't mind living without, I do mind being pressured to replace them personally.

They sound like cheapskates if you leave can you take i with you , what else are they expecting you to cough up the money for the coffee machine needless to say thy don't give golden handshakes
If this Sign a sign of the way they treat their staff look for another job if they cant affords this they must rally be on the rails

don't pay. and then don't use the microwave. they don't need to give you anything that isn't required for you to perform your job. go look for another job.

It should be considered an office expense, but it's really a convenience and not a requirement. You can choose to contribute or not.

They're pretty cheap these days. I'd chip in for it.

chip in 10 bucks and get a new one................its not that big a deal...............

it would be nice if they bought you a new one but they dont have to

Tell them that you are not going to put your hard earned money towards purchasing supplies for the office. Its not your responsibility. I wouldnt do it either!!

Business is not required to provide microwave ovens. Yes, it would be nice. But if they aren't going to pay, then when it dies...it dies. Maybe the management will then realize how nice it is to have one and buy one.

The microwave is not neccessary for your job, so it is not a legitimate office expense.
You should not be required to contribute to the purchase of a new one.
However, you should not expect one to be provided for you.

My goodness, how cheep can some people be? The microwave is not required for you to do your job, it was given to the office by a person who had once worked there to help make your day go easier. Your place of employment does not have to give you a microwave. Stop being a cheep skate and pay for it if you use it.

A pretty nice microwave MAYBE $120

$120 / 7 = About $17

Are you telling me you are crying about being asked to contribute less then $20 to provide a luxury that you use every day?

ADDED:

Hmmmm, you struggle to get medical care for your kids, yet you have a computer at home where you have internet access and run around on Yahoo Answers all day. Or, do you do this at work, no wonder you hate it so much then, everyone knows you don't do any work and spend all day on Y!A?

And yes kiddo, I have worked my *** of for everything I have, I have a son and I know how hard times come along, but I don't go around bitching about things.

And just so you know, Workplaces are required by law to have air conditioning to keep the workplace a human and reasonably safe temperature to work in. And they have a vested interest in paper clips, they help keep documents organized, things that effect their business. You whining about wanting a microwave and not wanting to pay for it does not effect their business, so it is not an "office expense". So, come up with the money or don't use the damn microwave.

Just say that you would rather not, and than bring in cold lunches to eat.

A microwave isn't an office expense. I know the people in my office paid for a new one themselves. Microwaves are like 30 bucks, between 7 people it shouldnt be an issue. If you need it that much, take it upon yourself to buy one and ask the others to reimburse you. or maybe its not as important as you thought. If you want to handle it organizationally, send an email to your supervisor and cc his or her supervisor or department head. just make sure you don't communicate that you think you are entitled to the microwave.

At my work we are not allowed to bring in our own electrical equipment for Health and Safety reasons. You could try this route.
Or ask for one on Freecycle!
Or how about trying the staff morale, health and welfare type thing.
But I would look for a new job. With better management.

To your additional info - I once had a job where I wasn't allowed to order paperclips! They were horrible to work for and one day I walked out - now they are bankrupt! That's karma for you! Good luck and hope you find a new job soon.

It sound like you're just looking for an excuse to quit. If you don't chip in, you won't be the most popular person during lunch, so be prepared!

You may not be the most favored after doing so, but explain that you cannot afford more say $10 to chip in. I got a decent microwave from Wal-Mart for only $47. Among 8 people, that's around $6 per person.

I think you ought to quit complaining and just be a good sport about it. I'm struggling to make it too and even I'd find a way to cough up $10 for something that I know I'd use too.

This woman is not a manager, she is a self serving bully. Caving in is not the best answer, it's just the easiest one. Also, getting away with this will only encourage her to do it again.

Obviously, she is aware, but totally inconsiderate, of your restricted finances. Tell her if she will give you a "print out" of everyone's salary you will cover the proportional amount and collect from the others too. Start bringing your lunch and cut your sandwiches into eight pieces. If anybody brings up the oven, offer them their portion of your non-microwave meal. Good Luck.