Pitching in for a $900 CEO Gift? The 2026 Workplace Christmas Present Controversy

Would you spend two hours of your wages on a gift for a millionaire CEO? This question is igniting a firestorm on Reddit's r/Antiwork community as employees share horror stories of being pressured to fund luxury gifts for their high-earning bosses. While the average American is expected to spend $886 on holiday gifts this year according to Statista, many workers earning just $15 per hour find the request to pitch in for a $900 boss's present to be the ultimate insult.

The CEO Christmas Present Controversy: A Modern Workplace Friction

The accounts vary but follow a consistent theme of economic disparity. One receptionist at a doctor's office reported being asked for $25 to buy gift cards for surgeons earning over $200,000 annually, despite receiving no holiday bonus herself. Another employee was pressured to contribute $40—which later jumped to $70—for a company owner who lives in a $6,000,000 house and drives multiple Mercedes vehicles.

The Golden Rule: Gifting Flows Downward

Workplace etiquette experts and seasoned workers argue that the purpose of holiday giving should be to honor a relationship, not to appease power. A survey cited by NBC News revealed that 31% of employees would only give a gift if they expected one in return, with 11% admitting they hope for a raise. This transactional mindset highlights the toxic pressure inherent in 'gifting up' to management.