During this holiday season, it's important for bosses, managers, supervisors, and alike to recognize their employees, especially those who have made them successful. Some people give home made gifts like cookies, or sweaters. Yes, I heard of a woman who knitted sweaters for her small team, and by small I mean just 3 people. Still, that's a lot of knitting! Have you ever knitted a sweater before? It's a lot of work!
The holidays is a great time to show your appreciation for one another, but please if you're an employee or a manager make sure the gift is thoughtful and appropriate. In the past, I have received some awful gifts and I listed just five of those below:
5. Company Products - I once worked for a company in college, and my manager would wrap up company products and give them to his employees. Granted some of us liked the products but that didn't mean we wanted them for a present! Nothing says "Happy Holidays" better than a free T Shirt which you've been wrapping and shipping to customers all year long. Not to mention it cost him exactly $0 to give to us. Seriously? Put a little thought into it boss.
4. Gag Gifts/White Elephants - It's okay for the office to have a White Elephant party, but if you're the boss and you give out gag gifts or white elephants, than you're clueless. I remember one year while I was working in the service industry one service manager gave out joke gifts to all his drivers. Happy holidays here's your dribble glass and wax teeth. He must have thought they were all 6 years old. Wtf dude! Grow up!
3. Scratchers or Lottery Tickets - A lot of bosses like these gifts because they're cheap, and the pay off for the recipient could be amazing! But keep in mind the first part of the sentence, they're CHEAP. Just like the boss who gave them to you. I had a boss give each of his 10 employees 3 scratchers from the California lottery. He was making about $200,000 a year, and he spent $30 TOTAL, on all his employees who probably earned him a bonus of $25,000. "
Yeah that's so thoughtful boss that you went to the convenience store at lunch time and bought us these... I think I would rather you brought me a six pack of beer."
2. Coffee Mugs - I don't know about you, but I have at least a dozen coffee mugs from various companies that I have worked for or worked with, and I never use them....ever. What happens is they end up in the garage and then we sell them or give them away to charity. Yes, even the fancy coffee mugs from YETI and other brand names, still tell your employees, "I didn't think a whole lot about this gift, but I hope you like it!" The worst are the ones that have company logos or a picture of your boss on the mug. Seriously, do I want to look at my boss in the morning while sipping on coffee. Hell no!
1. NOTHING - I have received this gift many times over the years and I have always resented my boss. It costs little, and takes no time to send to your employees. It also tells everyone that you're a complete a##hole of a manager. Thanks for nothing boss! Crappy Holidays!
SFTD
