Holiday Gift Giving 101

(Published November 15, 2008)

Reprinted from MANAGER'S LEGAL BULLETIN, a widely read employment law newsletter that communicates legal guidelines to managers through scenarios based on real-life cases. Click here to view a sample issue, get more information, or sign up for a risk-free subscription.

 

If you live by the motto "it’s better to give than to receive," you’re probably inclined to pick up a little something this holiday season for all of your employees, especially if you know raises and year-end bonuses will be non-existent because of the financial hit your company took in these tough economic times.  To ensure your small gesture goes a long way, make a list and check it twice! 

 

Know Company Policy

The first thing on supervisor Brenda O’Leary’s to-do list was to inquire about the company’s gifts policy.  The HR rep explained that while the policy prohibited employees from accepting gifts from individuals and firms with which the company does business, nothing prohibited supervisors from giving their direct reports holiday gifts.  The HR rep offered O’Leary these practical words of wisdom:

• Don’t spend a lot.  Too extravagant a gift will make employees uncomfortable.  On the flip side, a worthless gift is insulting.  Find a happy medium, say, spending $5-$10 per employee.

• Do take an all-or-nothing approach.  If you are going to give gifts, give to all of your employees, spend the same amount of money on each, and put the same amount of thought into each, i.e., don’t give one employee a personalized gift and everyone else a generic one.

• Don’t give employees the impression you expect a gift in return.  If they insist on reciprocating, tell them the best gift they can give you is working to their full potential day in and day out.  If they really insist on bringing you something, suggest that they bring a snack that can be shared with the entire department.

 

Know Your Employees

 

Next, O’Leary shopped with these rules in mind.

 

Look for something that reflects an interest.  This can include a gift card to their favorite coffee shop or a small donation to a charity they actively support.

If you are unsure of an employee’s interests: 1) think outside the office (e.g., if their desk is decorated with pictures of a child or a pet, consider getting a gift for the child or pet), or 2) think work-appropriate (e.g., a business card holder, calendar, special pen).  Be wary of purchasing art for an employee’s workspace or home, unless it’s abundantly clear as to the type of art they prefer.

 

Keep it professional.  Intimate apparel, fragrances, and jewelry are too personal.

 

Stay away from food and alcohol.  An employee might have food allergies, be on a diet, or be a recovering alcoholic.

 

Tread carefully when it comes to humor.  Avoid anything that is vulgar, obscene, racist, sexist, or will embarrass either the recipient or their co-workers.

 

Know How To Give With Tact

 

When it came time to give the gifts, O’Leary made sure to:

• Use generic gift wrap, i.e., snowmen and solid colors instead of wrapping paper and gift bags featuring Santas or menorahs.

• Distribute gifts on a neutral day, such as the day of the company’s holiday party or the second Friday of December, as opposed to on the first day of Hanukah or Kwanzaa or on Christmas.

• Distribute gifts discreetly.  No need to make a fuss in front of departments where gifts aren’t being given.