How to Manage Office Gift-Giving Thoughtfully
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How to Manage Office Gift-Giving Thoughtfully
Without guidelines about gift-giving that are provided ahead of time, you run the risk of having some employees buy presents for everyone, while others buy none. -
Stuffed Stockings
22% of the employees surveyed said they plan to buy holiday gifts for their co-workers, and 21% expect to do so for their boss. -
Spending Ceiling
Of those who plan to buy gifts, 73% expect to spend no more than $25 per item. -
Good Times, Part I
69% of the employers surveyed plan to throw a holiday party for their employees this year. -
Good Times, Part II
54% plan to give employees holiday bonuses this year, and 15% said the bonus will be larger than last year's. -
Generous Spirit
48% of the employers said their organization will make a charitable donation this year. -
Oddball Office Gift: Giving a Hand
One employee gave a co-worker a pair of gloves—but both were left-handed. -
Oddball Office Gift: Fowl Note
Another staffer presented a colleague with a singing chicken. -
Oddball Office Gift: Flushed With Cash
An employee thought toilet paper that looked like money would be a welcome gift. -
Oddball Office Gift: Fashion Statement
One clueless staffer presented a colleague with a coconut bra. -
Oddball Office Gift: Virtual Wealth
Another worker offered a fake lottery ticket as a holiday gift. -
Oddball Office Gift: Office Supply?
One thoughtless staffer gave a colleague a pen holder that looks like a crime scene victim.
The holiday season can lead to some awkward moments in the office, especially if management lets gift-giving get out of control. Without specific guidelines that are provided well ahead of time, you run the risk of having some employees buy presents for everybody (including you), while others buy nothing at all. Or your chief digital officer may splurge as a designated "secret Santa" and spend hundreds on gifts, upsetting employees who are budget-constrained. To avoid this, CareerBuilder has come out with an office gift-giving survey that establishes useful guidelines. For starters, if you impose a ban on holiday gift-giving, you wouldn't be a Grinch, since most employees don't exchange gifts. Among those who do, the vast majority spend no more than $25 per item. But whether or not you allow a gift exchange, you should consider having an office party, as most employers do have one. On a more humorous note, CareerBuilder provided some oddball office gifts as part of its survey, and we've included some of those here. Nearly 2,380 HR and hiring managers and more than 3,335 employees took part in the research, which was conducted by Harris Poll.
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