Do’s and Don’t of Giving Gifts to your Boss

Giving a gift to your boss can be tricky business and can result in undesirable consequences if some simple guidelines are not followed. Here are some tips to select the most appropriate gift for your boss.

• Consider a group gift - Going in on a gift with your colleagues can be a great

  way to avoid any appearance of impropriety or ulterior motives.

• Be discreet - If giving a gift on your own, do so discreetly. Don’t advertise it to the entire office or brag about how much you spent.
• Keep it simple and sincere - Check your motives. Your gift should be given out of a sincere desire to show your boss appreciation.
• Keep it within your budget - Extravagant gifts will be connoted as an attempt to curry favor and will make your boss and your coworkers uncomfortable.
• Gift in the proper chain of command - Don’t skip your immediate supervisor and give a gift to your boss’s boss.
• Beware of alcoholic gifts - Certainly, you should only consider such gifts if you know that your boss will appreciate such a gift, but you should also confirm that there are no corporate rules banning such gifts in the workplace.
• Avoid extremely personal gifts - Gifts such as flowers, jewelry, perfume or intimate apparel should certainly be avoided. The general rule of thumb is to steer clear of any gifts that “touch the skin”.
• Never expect anything in return - A gift should not be given with the expectation of receiving a gift, a raise, a promotion or anything else in return: this is in line with the point above that the gift should be given based upon a sincere desire to express appreciation to your boss.
• Never send a gift to your boss’s home address - This can be seen as too personal. If the gift you’re thinking of giving is not something you’re comfortable giving at the office, then it may not be an appropriate gift to begin with.
• Don’t give competitively - Never try to one-up your colleagues or try to “buy” your boss’s favor by giving expensive or extravagant gifts.
• Never give cash! - Cash is seen as too impersonal and interpreted as putting a specific price on the relationship.

To read more, read the rest of my post at

http://familystaples.com/appropriate-gifts-for-bosses

I welcome your comments and feedback.

Thank you,

Pat