Gift for CoWorker...InAppropriate?

[DwarfMaster]

I have been working on a very large project for the past couple weeks here in my office. One of my coworkers was kind enough to help me out & took on about 40 hours of very repeatative mind-numbing work. Work that I would've had to do outside of my normal 9-5 routine.

To show my appreciation I left a small gift on her desk.....It was nothing really. Just a little candle set I picked up while I was out this weekend. Probably worth $10.

Anyways, another CoWorker told me how inappropriate this was & goes on to say that that's not OK in an office-type setting.

So.....Did she just wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.....or is it not OK to show my appreciation w/ a small gift?

 

[SC Minnie]

Personally I think it's OK if this is an equal co-worker and not a boss or subordinate. Especially if this person did the work as a favor and not part of her normal responsibilities.

 

[wvrevy]

I think your coworker is nuts As long as it wasn't an inappropriate gift - and candles don't even come CLOSE to qualifying, in my opinion - then it was just a really nice gesture on your part.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I have been working on a very large project for the past couple weeks here in my office. One of my coworkers was kind enough to help me out & took on about 40 hours of very repeatative mind-numbing work. Work that I would've had to do outside of my normal 9-5 routine.

To show my appreciation I left a small gift on her desk.....It was nothing really. Just a little candle set I picked up while I was out this weekend. Probably worth $10.

Anyways, another CoWorker told me how inappropriate this was & goes on to say that that's not OK in an office-type setting.

So.....Did she just wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.....or is it not OK to show my appreciation w/ a small gift?

Not only do I think she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but there must of been a bucket of green paint on that side of the bed! WOW!

I think it was very nice of you to think of your co-worker like that!

 

[wvrevy]

Personally I think it's OK if this is an equal co-worker and not a boss or subordinate. Especially if this person did the work as a favor and not part of her normal responsibilities.

Why would it matter if it was a boss or subordinate? I get stuff for my employees all the time. It's just done to show appreciation when they go "above and beyond the call of duty" or even just for doing their own job well. How is that not "OK" ?

 

[wheeler1]

Sounds very much like some work I did at my job to help out a co-worker. I was very happy to pitch in, and was touched at the small pot of flowers that was left on my desk when it was all over!

I certainly wasnt expecting anything, didnt cross my mind. But there it was and I thought it they were wonderful!

Whats wrong with showing your appreciation??? Honestly, some people...I'm guessing your critical co-worker isnt the type to show their appreciation to others...I wonder if they are the type of person to be first in line to lend an extra hand?

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Lauri does this all the time when her staff works extra hard on a project or has a successful week.

That co-worker definitely got her undies in a wad over a nice gesture. Maybe next time get her a new pair

 

[wvrevy]

Lauri does this all the time when her staff works extra hard on a project or has a successful week.

That co-worker definitely got her undies in a wad over a nice gesture. Maybe next time get her a new pair

Careful, Matt...you'll ruin her mean reputation.

 

[Ava83]

I work for a huge company and not only is is appropriate it is encouraged, we have a system that you can send a "thank you" gift through the company (we can do up to 6 a year) for people that go above and beyond the call of duty.

The system lets you go into this website and pick what you want from a bunch of things.

This is how I have my laptop bag and polar fleece. I think that what you did was wonderful-people like to be appriciated and the other woman is being silly.

 

[LoraJ]

Where I work, it is against company policy to do something like that. Perhaps she once worked somewhere where it was against policy and was worried she woul dget in trouble for accepting it?

 

[NMAmy]

No, it's not inappropriate and it was a very nice thing to do. I've done similar things for my co-workers when they go out of their way to help me and I've received lots of gifts myself over the years.

 

[joshsmom]

I think anytime someone recognizes help from someone else, its a very thoughtful thing to do (unless its against company policy of course).

 

[DwarfMaster]

Where I work, it is against company policy to do something like that. Perhaps she once worked somewhere where it was against policy and was worried she woul dget in trouble for accepting it?

This is definately not that kind of company. I myself have received gifts of appreciation & thought it was nice to do the same for someone.

I just couldn't believe she had the nerve to stick her nose where it doesn't belong.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

People need to get a grip. I see that as a random act of kindness in a way, and the world needs more of that! She can just look the other way - she is probably jealous that it was not given to her!

 

[Kitty 34]

Lauri does this all the time when her staff works extra hard on a project or has a successful week.

That co-worker definitely got her undies in a wad over a nice gesture. Maybe next time get her a new pair

I think it's fine getting a small gift. Heck I have a small gift picked out for a co-teacher who has really helped me out this year.

 

[SC Minnie]

Why would it matter if it was a boss or subordinate? I get stuff for my employees all the time. It's just done to show appreciation when they go "above and beyond the call of duty" or even just for doing their own job well. How is that not "OK" ?

I work for a very large company and it is frowned upon to buy gifts for your employees. For work above and beyond you are rewarded at review time by your boss.

 

[Ava83]

I work for a very large company and it is frowned upon to buy gifts for your employees. For work above and beyond you are rewarded at review time by your boss.

Same her-we get are "thank yous' from management via bonus, cash awards and salary. And salary review will be next week waiting on that now.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think it was a lovely gesture, and your co-worker who helped out was probably very touched to receive it. The gift certainly wasn't inappropriate in any way...it wasn't like you gave her edible underwear or hired a male stripper for god's sakes!!!!!

That being said, if you work in a company where something like that is against company policy, then you probably shouldn't do it, but that doesn't sound like the case in this instance. My DBIL works for the state, and we just finished with a corruption scandal that landed our governor in jail, so he can't accept a cup of coffee from someone without paying for it....they want nothing that may remotely even look like a bribe or pay-off.

I think your other co-worker who commented is a crank, or jealous that she's never gotten a thank you gift...but then again, she's probably never done anything nice for anyone either!!!!!

 

[DISUNC]

I think that was very nice of you to do!
I have always done this throughout my career, been both a gift giver & a gift recipient.

I really want to KNOW ...Why she thought this was inappropriate??

UPDATE! I read your post wrong... I thought the coworker who you gave the present to, thought it was inappropriate!!!....

JEALOUSY!