Should you give your boss a holiday gift?

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By and large, the simple answer is you don't give your boss a gift, says Barbara Pachter, a business etiquette expert and author of "New Rules @ Work," who lives in Cherry Hill, N.J."That rule applies mainly to big companies where the boss could have up to 30 people working for him or her," Pachter said.The code of conduct might be a bit looser in smaller settings with only two or three employees, she said, because on close-knit teams everyone may exchange gifts with one another.Although there are some situations in which it is appropriate to give the boss a holiday present, the biggest pitfall is that your peers and even your boss might think you're trying to curry favor.It's not all that common for employees to give gifts to their bosses, and if you think you want to do it, you need to think about what's in it for you, said Jo Bennett, a partner in the New York executive search firm Battalia Winston.She suggests you do a little homework, such as researching the history of gift-giving in your office.Do people give gifts to the boss? If so, what kind? Has it ever backfired on any of your co-workers, and if so, how?"I don't think you want to go out and get something expensive or overly personal for the boss," Bennett said. "It's got to be more of a token than a bribe."What happens now is people do travel extensively and might see something that reminds them of their boss' hobby or personal passion. They may pick it up for the boss, and that's appropriate. What isn't appropriate is a lavish gift at holiday time."The upside of giving the boss a gift is it could strengthen your working relationship. The downside is it could make the boss feel awkward and wind up prejudicing your relationship.But Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert based in Palm Beach, Fla., and New York, said at the very least she thought it was wise to give the boss a sincere card wishing him or her a nice holiday, a bottle of wine, a basket of food items or a gift certificate."Years ago, the old rule was never give your boss a gift, but times have changed," Whitmore said. "We are spending more time at work and getting to know our colleagues and co-workers better. They are becoming our extended family."Yes, it's appropriate to buy the boss a gift with certain stipulations. The best way is a group gift from all the co-workers."She cautions employees against offering gifts that are too personal in nature, like clothing, jewelry perfume or red roses.Allison L. Feldstein, a lawyer in the downtown-based firm Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott's labor and employment department, said she was not aware of any companies that had policies against giving gifts to bosses.What's more common in the workplace is for bosses to give gifts to their employees during the yuletide season. But even in that scenario bosses have to be careful of potential legal issues that might arise, Feldstein said."If the gift is viewed as inappropriate, there could be concerns with sexual harassment," she said. "Employees in that situation may also feel one is treated differently from others, and that could lead to claims of discrimination."Even when the boss initiates the gift-giving, you don't have to treat him or her like family, said Bennet.If someone in your family gives you a gift, you'd better give one back. But it's different in an office. Don't feel the need to reciprocate. All you have to do is follow up with a thank-you note to show appreciation."If you have doubt about giving a gift, err on the side of caution and not do it," Bennett said.Tim Grant can be reached at tgrant@post-gazette.com.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)