Holiday Gift Giving – Yay or Nay?

In recent news, a former news anchor for a popular morning show was recently terminated due to allegations of inappropriate, sexual behavior in the workplace. One of the examples of behavior that was given was his once giving a colleague an “adult toy” as a present. When considering what gifts to bestow on your coworkers at holiday parties this season, use this situation as an example of what NOT to do!

With the holiday season upon us, many organizations are gearing up for parties to celebrate the holidays with their employees. A common tradition is gift giving, with white elephant and name draw gift exchanges being popular types of activities. While exchanging presents at parties or during this time of year can be a fun way of letting loose and having a good laugh, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting your gift to ensure that boundaries are maintained and no lines are crossed:

  • Clarify a Price Point – To ensure all employees get somewhat fair gifts with regards to “quality” set a price range for everyone to abide by (say $10 – $20) to help make certain no one feels left out when they receive a keychain and the person next to them gets a $50 gift card.
  • Maintain Appropriate Standards – Stay PG rated and steer clear from anything that may unnecessarily offend (such as religion-based gifts) or from items that you are uncertain if everyone would like (e.g., giving a set of pint glasses for a sports team that not everyone is a fan of).
  • Avoid Unfair Treatment – If the company as a whole is doing a gift exchange that everyone is participating in, that is a great way to strengthen camaraderie. If not, and if individual gifts are being exchanged, do so in private and make sure to not do anything that would leave anyone out (particularly as a manager giving gifts to your employees, or only certain ones).

Holiday gift giving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow a few guidelines to make certain that everyone is comfortable and enjoys themselves which will make this season at work fun and engaging for all!

Nuts-and-Bolts: Holiday Parties and Celebrations

During the holiday season, many organizations use this as an opportunity to have an office holiday party or celebration, showing appreciation for their employees and allowing them an opportunity to relax and enjoy one another’s company. There are a number of pitfalls that managers can run into when throwing any party, but especially during this time of year when so many religious holidays are prevalent it is important to keep a few things in mind when planning your holiday get together: (more…)

Are They Allowed to Wear That??? — Halloween Costumes in the Workplace

A holiday that many look forward to every year, Halloween gives children and adults alike an opportunity to kick back and enjoy dressing up and have a good time. In the workplace, many organizations allow their employees to participate in the holiday, granting exceptions to existing policies pertaining to attire and appearance. When it comes to costumes and dressing up in the workplace, it is important to find a balance between allowing your employees to enjoy themselves and have a good time, while maintaining company standards. Here are a few guidelines to help you find that balance: (more…)