Gift Giving Guy

My MBA semester is over, but there is still time to share a case about gift giving. We spend half of our waking hours with co-workers, so it’s natural to give them gifts. My human resources law and ethics course briefly explored the complications of workplace giving. So the HR discussion case is, of course, gift giving gone wrong. The scenario:

A gift exchange is implemented at a company. A male staff member gives a female staff member a Marvin Gaye CD, and she is offended when she sees the title track “Sexual Healing,” followed by “Let’s Get It On.” How do you handle this situation as an HR representative?

HR often errs on the side of caution. The recipient may be lodging a sexual harassment claim, which HR would investigate. This “gift” might be the tipping point among other unwelcome behaviors. Even without a formal complaint, if a supervisor knows of questionable conduct, the company may be held liable. In fact, some companies enforce gift policies that specifically forbid employee gifts with sexual or romantic connotations.

To avoid this scenario altogether, here are some guidelines on workplace giving:

• Check the employee handbook or company policies to see if there is a gift giving policy in place. Some workplaces restrict giving or ban it outright.

• Make sure gift giving is 100% voluntary. If someone does not want to give to a Secret Santa, office baby shower or retirement party, respect their choice.
• Keep it clean. Never give “adult” items, personal/romantic presents, or anything that carries a demeaning or discriminating message as workplace gifts.
• Go for modestly priced gifts. Expensive gifts may make your workplace giftee feel uncomfortable and beholden to reciprocate.
• Follow the tradition at some companies (like mine): Managers give appropriate gifts to subordinates, and subordinates do not reciprocate with gifts.
• If you are giving to select peers, give gifts in private, perhaps after work.
• If the boss does receive a gift, have others voluntarily chip in to make it a group gift. And don’t name the names of givers. A direct gift from subordinate to supervisor may appear to be currying favor.