A cautionary tale of workplace lottery syndicates has emerged, highlighting how a massive win can create unexpected tension even among the most generous colleagues. The story, shared on Reddit, details how a primary school syndicate's life-changing fortune led to a dramatic fallout with a teacher who was not part of the group.
The Million-Pound Win That Caused a Stir
The incident involved a syndicate of 25 staff members at a primary school who collectively won a staggering £1 million on the EuroMillions 'Millionaire Maker' raffle. This meant each participant received a substantial £40,000 payout. However, the victory was slightly marred by the fact that one teacher at the school was not included in the syndicate.
In a spirit of goodwill, the winning group decided to pool together £1,000 each from their individual winnings to create a £25,000 goodwill gift for their excluded colleague. What happened next, however, was far from the grateful acceptance the winners anticipated.
How a Generous Offer Turned Sour
According to the online account, the teacher who was offered the £25,000 "properly kicked off" about not being invited to join the syndicate in the first place. The reaction was so negative that the syndicate members collectively rescinded their generous offer. The colleague ultimately talked herself out of a significant five-figure sum.
The Reddit user explained the fallout: "She was not impressed when she found out what she had talked herself out of." The winnings were paid out just before a school half-term, with one teacher immediately splashing £10,000 on a holiday to Japan.
A Stark Warning for Syndicate Organisers
This story is not an isolated case. Another contributor shared a strikingly similar anecdote about a local syndicate that won nearly £40 million. One member had not paid her dues and was therefore excluded from the prize. A collection was organised to give her £25,000, but when she got a lawyer involved in a bid for more, the syndicate instantly stopped the goodwill payment, and she received nothing.
These stories underscore the perennial challenges of running a workplace lottery pool. One commenter noted the "perpetual issue" of members forgetting to pay, leaving the organiser to cover the shortfall or face potential conflict if numbers come up. Another suggested a failsafe method: "We do ours through payroll and a script that buys lucky dips and emails everyone the numbers... That way there's no forgetting your share."
Official Advice to Avoid Syndicate Disputes
The National Lottery provides clear guidance for anyone setting up a syndicate to prevent exactly these kinds of disputes. The cornerstone of their advice is to establish a formal syndicate agreement from the very start. This is crucial because all prize money is paid solely to the syndicate manager's account.
Key considerations for a watertight agreement include:
- Agreeing on a named manager and a deputy for oversight.
- Deciding which games to play, how many lines, and the frequency of draws.
- Setting clear rules on how and when payments are made.
- Establishing a policy for missed payments.
- Outlining exactly how prizes will be shared or reinvested.
- Deciding in advance on a publicity strategy for a big win.
By taking these steps, syndicates can protect friendships and working relationships, ensuring that a dream win remains a cause for celebration, not a source of bitter conflict.
