Work gift-giving protocol question

[SeaSpray]

Hello:

Today I received a gift bag from the HR manager containing a bag of nice chocolate candies and a packet of cute stationary and envelopes. It was a gift from her personally, not the company. Is it expected that I reciprocate?? She isn't my boss exactly, but she did hire me.

Any suggestions?? Thanks!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You can give her a thank you note.

I don't think it is necessary to reciprocate a gift unless you want to.

I've had many bosses co-workers that do little cutesy things b/c they want to and don't expect something in return other than a nice thank you (either oral or written).

If you want to give a gift--there is no harm in that. Even a $5 starbucks gift card in a greeting card would be a nice gesture.

 

[LukenDC]

At the very least you should give her a handwritten thank you note. I know that you do not celebrate holidays, so giving gifts at this time of year might be awkward for you. If so, you should have no qualms about gently explaining that and perhaps give her a small something at a more convenient time for you.

I'm glad to hear that all seems to be well with HR. I recall that they had given you some cryptic messages awhile back.

 

[SeaSpray]

At the very least you should give her a handwritten thank you note. I know that you do not celebrate holidays, so giving gifts at this time of year might be awkward for you. If so, you should have no qualms about gently explaining that and perhaps give her a small something at a more convenient time for you.

I'm glad to hear that all seems to be well with HR. I recall that they had given you some cryptic messages awhile back.

Thanks for the replies I was definitely going to write out a thank you card, no matter what.

You're right, I do not celebrate holidays and this person is very aware of that because we've had a few conversations on that subject. She is very sensitive to my feelings which I truly appreciate. She put my gift in a pretty blue and yellow gift bag with a note that said "Thank you for all of your hard work in 2006 - looking forward to a great 2007".

I think it was a very nice gesture on the HR manager's part to give me a gift, and I think I will pick up a Dunkin' Donuts gift card for her as a "thank you". It'll be especially appropriate because she often will run out to Dunkin' Donuts for coffees in the middle of the day (iced coffees in the summer and hot coffees in the winter) for those of us who want one. She's a great person to work with.

And I do feel much better about that last incident, although it still puzzles me. LOL

 

[Sherri]

I usually give lottery tickets that can be scratched off, or wawa gift cards to the teachers I work with. I never expect anything in return.
I'm sure your friend in HR isn't expecting something in return.
It was a nice gesture.

 

[MrsPete]

Gift-giving at the office is always OPTIONAL.

As a general rule of thumb, when it occurs, office gift-giving goes "downhill". Thus, the corporate office gives a gift to the boss . . . the boss gives a gift to the employees. Gifting "uphill" is not a social obligation, though in some offices it may be an expectation. In general, if employees "gift" the boss, it's usually a group gift.

I'm very glad that we don't "gift" at work. We all bring in plenty of goodies for the lunch table, which are shared equally . . . that's our "Christmas" to each other, and we're all satisfied with it.

To echo what others have said, you only obligation at this point is a thank-you.