Baby Showers at the Office

[jadegrniiz]

Here's an interesting spin on the baby shower at work debate -



I just started working for this organization in mid-June... and I was 5 months pregnant at the time. I *certainly* don't expect a baby shower of any kind. For one, I still don't know many people (although they all seem to know me).



Yesterday, a co-worker approached me and said "Now be sure to tell whoever's planning your baby shower to send me an invitation!"



How do I take that? Do I tell the girls in my office (who would undoubtedly plan a shower should there be one)? Should I just hang in there and see what happens?  My sister is hosting my shower down in my former home town, and I had just planned on inviting the co-workers I was closest to. But now if there is a chance of there being a shower at work, I certainly wouldn't expect them to attend both. Do I just mention that I don't expect a shower from the office?



Thoughts?

[lioness70]

Here's what I would do:  Keep them separate.  Have one shower for family and one shower for coworkers.  But I wouldn't say anything to them.  Let them plan it and think they're surprising you.  That coworker's request was plain old tacky-you don't ask the showeree, who's supposed to be (somewhat) surprised, to tell the planners to make sure to include you!  That's weird.  Have they left her out of such things before is is she one of those party-happy people?



When I was PG with my son, my coworkers had a shower for me a few days before I went out on maternity leave.  I also had a family shower a few days before-no coworkers were invited.  (I wasn't working at that job long either-about 5 months.  I didn't expect one, but it was nice.)



Also, I hope whoever's planning this has the sense to make sure it's after work!      

[goldenearring]

Hang in there, and keep your lips sealed at work.  If they're are going to give you one, you'll know soon enough.  Then you can make sure your co-worker is a part of it.  If you like her enough to invite her to your off-work one, do it.  She'll love you for it.  I don't adhere strictly to the work at work / home at home policy.  It's a big world out there, with lots of people; might as well let some of them see you outside of where they usually do.

[radaro]

Is it just me?  I think it is pretty bold of your coworker to ask to be invited to your shower.



Just an observation.

[jadegrniiz]

I probably should have mentioned that the co-worker is field staff, and is hardly ever in the office. She works basically from her car, going to patient homes all day. She knows me because we were in orientation together.



I really didn't see it as a "ballsy" request or invite....  I saw it more of a genuine desire to be a part of the shower (if I was having one) and a request she not be left out (like she'd probably be since no one would think I know a field staffer).



As for the timing of the shower....  they are always during lunch, and the 2 receptionists would forward the phones into the conference room to answer, and would have a volunteer (meaning your typical elderly, non-profit organization volunteer, not a paid staffer being left out in the cold) sit at the front desk to watch for guests.