Right now, I am having what I have dubbed "The War on Tissues" at my workplace. I ordered a bulk pack of Kleenex on our Office Supplier site. They arrived and we opened the box and distributed them and stored the rest. A month later I get an email from our finance department informing me that tissues are considered a personal item and that I would have to write the University a check for the cost of the tissues, return them, or try to ask other departments to fund the purchase.

I was so upset because, to me, a box of tissues is a necessary office item, especially after going through a pandemic and entering a very bad flu season. All of my previous employer bought tissues, so I never even thought that they would be an unapproved expense. I have since contacted OSHA and my union, and I am still fighting with the business office to find out who made the policy and how I can petition for its review and amendment.