When To Give A Gift To A Co-worker

Nancy R. Mitchell gives us some protocol and etiquette advice on gift giving, such as when it's necessary or appropriate to give a gift to a co-worker, and what gifts are appropriate

When is it necessary or appropriate to give a gift to a coworker and what gifts are appropriate? Nancy Mitchell: Again it depends on the relationship you have with that coworker. If it is the end of the year and everyone is giving gifts to everyone else find out what your company policy is if you are new to that organization and if you are to the policy, you will be more comfortable if you are doing what other people are doing. If there is someone on the staff or one or two people you have a special relationship with you go to lunch. You know them outside the office then clearly your gift to them is going to be a little bit different to some colleague who is a casual acquaintance. You are not required to give to everyone you work with. Some offices in order to get over that hurdle if you will of giving so many gifts to so many people have come up with at the end of the year, sometimes there is a gift bag, a grab bag, a secret center, there are collections for an office party or the money that is collected for what would be an office party is then donated to a local charity or to an international organization in lieu of a party. There are ways that offices have handled this situation where it may not be necessary for you to give to colleagues. But if you are closely related to them, they have a loss, they have a wedding, they have something special in their life or promotion or retirement, you need to ask yourself that question, how am I related to that person and do I want to give a personalized gift and then make your decision.