Christmas gift for secretary/assistant
Discussion
Please settle a debate between me and my other half.
Is it crass/crude to give a cash gift to your secretary/assistant at Christmas?
I think given all the hard work that they do throughout the year for considerably less salary than the people they work for, it is good to give a decent gift. Rather than pick a gift myself that they probably won't like or won't want, my preference is to give cash. I know some colleagues give a gift voucher, but that's just cash where you can only spend it in a single shop. Christmas is an expensive time of the year, maybe they will spend it on the food shop.
My other half thinks it is elitist / points out the earning disparity / is condescending / could otherwise be deemed offensive
Picking the right amount is difficult though. I gave £50 to each of the two secretaries that work for me. Enough that they can get something decent, meal out or w/e, not so much that it is likely to embarrass them. I know in New York law firms it is standard to give $100 x the number of years you are post-qualification. So if you are fifteen years qualified it can get expensive ...
Is it crass/crude to give a cash gift to your secretary/assistant at Christmas?
I think given all the hard work that they do throughout the year for considerably less salary than the people they work for, it is good to give a decent gift. Rather than pick a gift myself that they probably won't like or won't want, my preference is to give cash. I know some colleagues give a gift voucher, but that's just cash where you can only spend it in a single shop. Christmas is an expensive time of the year, maybe they will spend it on the food shop.
My other half thinks it is elitist / points out the earning disparity / is condescending / could otherwise be deemed offensive
Picking the right amount is difficult though. I gave £50 to each of the two secretaries that work for me. Enough that they can get something decent, meal out or w/e, not so much that it is likely to embarrass them. I know in New York law firms it is standard to give $100 x the number of years you are post-qualification. So if you are fifteen years qualified it can get expensive ...
Bussolini said:
To be clear, they job share so I only have one at a time and they work for a couple of others too...
Wine and flowers is fine but don't you think they might prefer cash than 30 quid flowers and a 20 quid bottle of wine?
They might drink. They might not. I'd go with cash.Wine and flowers is fine but don't you think they might prefer cash than 30 quid flowers and a 20 quid bottle of wine?
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