When gifting coworkers, it’s important to consider appropriateness and company policies. Gifts should be thoughtful but not expensive, and not sexually inappropriate or intimate. Gift certificates, food gifts, and personalized mugs or frames are good choices. Celebrating special occasions is acceptable, but all coworkers should be treated equally. Gifts during the holiday season should have minimal spending.
Gifting coworkers takes some thought. They should be appropriate and in line with company policies. They should represent thoughtfulness, but not a large expense. Some companies have specific policies on when it’s acceptable to give gifts to a co-worker, and they may also limit the price range on gifts. Before choosing a gift for a co-worker, an employee should check company policy to ensure that any gifts do not exceed the amounts their company allows them to spend.
Gifts from colleagues should never be jokes or sexually inappropriate gifts, as it can be considered sexual harassment. Likewise, the gift should not be of an intimate nature. One should never, for example, give sleepwear or underwear to a colleague, or a gift that might involve a gross joke.
Instead, an employee should make coworker gifts as general as possible. Gift certificates or gift cards are a great way to go. The certificates or cards will allow the collaborator to choose a gift of her choice. Alternatively, gift certificates to restaurants or movie theaters are also good choices. If the colleague has a known hobben, such as golf or scrapbooking, gift certificates to a golf store or craft store are very acceptable.
Coworker gifts that are also acceptable are food gifts, such as food baskets or candy boxes, although it’s a good idea to check if the coworker has allergies or avoids certain foods. Personalized mugs or frames are also good general gifts for colleagues. Flowers may be given, although a male employee should probably avoid sending them to a female colleague. This can be misinterpreted as romantic interest, unless one always gives everyone flowers.
People are also concerned about giving coworkers gifts when others don’t get gifts. If your coworker is celebrating a special occasion, such as a promotion, retirement, or birthday, it’s usually acceptable to give gifts to only one specific person. Courtesy dictates that all associates should be treated equally, however. If one celebrates a co-worker’s birthday, then he should celebrate all co-workers’ birthdays.
If an employee does not choose to celebrate every co-worker’s birthday, some may choose to form private friendships with co-workers and have meetings outside the office and not during normal office hours. It’s best to discuss and plan such outings outside the office so that others don’t feel left out.
This holiday season, gifts from co-workers should come with minimal spending. It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone has the same income. Especially if the office has an annual gift exchange, the gifts should not be excessive in price.
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