So I love the holidays, don't get me wrong. I love getting gifts for the people I love; this should be my favorite time of year as one of my love languages is gifts. But, I am a little soured this season due to the extremely high rate of gift giving in my office.
In years past, I have always received gifts from my supervisors. In my last UofM job, I think I even started up the "Secret Santa" thing because there really was no other gift giving in the department.
This year in my new department this is what has been asked of me:
1. Contribute money to buy gift cards for our three student temps who work for us (no problem $10)
2. Contribute a hard item for a gift basket for our custodian (no problem - he is cool and going to be a fireman, I can get him a free t-shirt or something from my uncle - $15 gift card & a fire patch)
3. Spend $15 on a secret Santa gift for someone in the office (no problem - gift certificate & bookmark)
4. Contribute money to a group gift for the boss (what???)
5. Contribute money to a group gift for the department chair (wa-wa-wa-WHAT!)
So, in the past year I have gone from getting gifts from my boss to giving gifts to my boss and making $2,000 less than what I was two years ago! I have been asked by my coworkers to spend $60 on people in the department when I haven't even the money to spend that much on my each of my family members this year! My mom is getting a $10 book from the Borders Bargain table and a hand made scarf!!!
Needless to say I vetoed the contributing to the boss and chair. When I asked my mom about this she said it was highly improper to present a group gift to bosses and chairs, especially when they make more money than you! (per Emily Post). And I agree.
Your thoughts?
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1 comment:
I am totally with Emily Post on this one. Gifts go DOWN the corporate latter, not up. It's one thing if your boss did something really spectacular for you this year and you personally want to give them a little (inexpensive) gift but its another thing altogether to be giving big group gifts. Can you say suck up? Stick to your guys, girly! -- E
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