Is this an example of bad etiquette at the workplace? It's about the rebate

[anon in idaho]

checks the US government is giving out this summer. Almost of all of my fellow Wal-Mart co-workers cannot wait to get their rebate checks from the US government this summer.It's all that they talk about during breaks and lunch.

Meanwhile, due to Social Security making a error with my disabitlies and health problems(testicular cancer, ashberger's syndrome etc, a new problem is happening now )
, they claim I owe them several thousand of dollars. That means that each and every year I do tax's and get a return they get my return money!! I was about to tell them not everyone is lucky to to get those checks and that they should be thankful that they are not in my shoes or someone else's like mine.

Is this a example of bad etiquette in the workplace? What if I wrote a letter to the newspaper and they read my letter telling how not everyone is get those rebates. Besides most people aren't even aware that these rebate check are only a temp fix and they US is going to get more deeper in the red because of these checks
I just walk out of the break room since it's make me so pissed that they are getting them and I'm not. Besides my health problems might be getting worse. I wish that people would stop and realize that not everyone is getting those checks, especially that need it like a testicular cancer survivor and I might have to a operation or more doctor's look into a problem with my head.It's affecting my whole body.My doctor's have no idea on what my strange bump is on my head. I've had two CAT scans, a biopsy and a bone scan latter this week.
They are raining on my parade by bragging about it!! They are the one who are not thinking that they are other around who are not getting them!!

Maybe they should keep stuff like this to themselves!!

[miss_jen_b]

I don't think your coworkers realize that you're not getting a rebate cheque.

I'm sorry, but if I had a lump of money coming at me and so did my friends, we would be really excited about it. I wouldn't mean to offend you, but it would be really exciting to me. If I knew that someone else wasn't receiving the cheque, then I would hush about it.

Rather than wasting your time writing the paper and complaining that these cheques won't actually help the recession, talk to your manager or human resources.

Tell HR or the manager that you think your co-workers should be aware that not everyone is getting these rebate cheques, so discussion about them really upsets those who don't get them.

Perhaps, you could design a poster (just 8 1/2 x 11) and show it to your manager and ask she could post it in the break room. In your poster, explain that not everyone gets these rebates. Say that people, like you, who have to worry about medical expenses do not receive these cheques and they are the ones who really need it. You mention that your monthly doctor's visit costs 1000$ and your medications cost 200$, yet the government doesn't give you the benefit of a rebate cheque. You don't have to use your personal information, you can research the costs and use a generalized bill for someone with cancer, or ashberger's. At the bottom of the poster, say, "Not everyone receives rebate cheques, so please do not discuss your cheque in the lunch room"

You can do it totally anonymously so that people don't think you're a spoilsport.

PS: your poster isn't really the place to start mentioning how you think that the rebate cheques won't actually help the US economy...focus on one topic. There is debate as to whether these cheques actually do stimulate the economy. Empirical data suggests that people treat these cheques as "surprise income" so they do not save these cheques, instead they use them instantly for spending. With the cheque, many people are going to be thinking, "HEY! Now I can buy a new TV!", so they'll spend all their cheque because it provides gratification. Few people are like, "wow! Money! I'm going to put it in my savings account and watch it grow!"...it's just not the mindset of the majority of consumers. Many economists would agree that these cheques provide more than a 'temp fix' as they do stimulate the economy. However, there is a lot of debate, because some people think that the government should use the money to create other social programs because there is the argument that people are stupid and selfish, thus the government would be better at managing the money....sorry, I'm studying economics...I'll stop now...

[Madkins007]

Most people really know that not everyone is getting a check, but most of those who are not have extenuating circumstances and so fall sort of outside the generic group of 'everybody'.

You are coming across as bitter- which is understandable, but raining on other people's parades is not good workplace etiquette.

I hope you have seen someone about your situation- a lawyer or ombudsman, etc. to see what options you have.

I know it is not much, but at least they are just keeping your returns and making you cough up the money directly.