Girlawhirl's always been a great office gift giver, finding just the perfect mug, desk toy or travel accessory for everyone on her list. But this year, things have changed, and since she's now the boss of a few of her used-to-be-coworkers, the tables have turned…
‘The Dos and Don'ts of Gift Giving at Work,' by Kate Lorenz of CareerBuilder.com filled her in on what's appropriate, and how she, as the boss, should handle gift giving in the office. As the boss, it is really up to her to comply with her company's policies on gift giving, which truth be told, she really hadn't done in the past.
Instead of her usual big bag of gifts, this year, she's organized a department lunch at a favorite restaurant nearby.
It's okay if after hours the members of her staff exchange gifts with each other, but as their department head, Girlawhirl's making it clear that she does not expect anyone to give her gifts. And she intends to curtail her own gift-giving impulses. Jodi R.R. Smith of Mannersmith says, “Employees tend to prefer bonuses and additional time off to a trinket.”
So, Girlawhirl's arranged for everyone in her department to get the afternoon off after their lunch outing.