I am in a dilenma, my boss is organizing this year end party and he wants everyone to attend.

Everyone agreed to attend except me as the date falls on my anniversary with my girlfriend. So earlier today I went into my boss’s office and asked if I can be excused from the party.

He then said:

“Well you understand clearly, that in this company is all about being part of the team and being a team player. Bite the bullet and tell your girlfriend that you will celebrate one day earlier. Time to take one for the team. Girlfriends come and go and not to mention that there will be an endless list of anniversaries in the future. Wedding, Date, GF/BF, New home whatever anniversaries. So attend the company event as I already booked the venue and paid for everyone’s share or I will deduct it from your bonus”

I just look at my employee contract and the bonus is not an entitlement I hurriedly checked MOM’s website and it says that “Bonus payments are not compulsory”.

What should I do? Should I argue with my boss or should I just diam diam let it go or should I just attend the event?

I don’t want to quarrel with my girlfriend and I don’t want to have problems with my boss.

Other than this, he has been nothing but a fantastic boss for the last few years. The employees have been with him all the way as he has been good to all employees. I asked the old employees and they said he will just cut the whole variable bonus for those who don’t attend.

During CB times and when the company is making next to nothing he still paid us our salary.

I don’t want to look ungrateful but I also don’t want to fight with my girlfriend.

What should I do?