While it's one thing to accept a tin of biscuits from someone you've done business with, what would you say if this person offered you a holiday?
If you think barely a heartbeat would pass before you'd snatch those plane tickets up, you may want to think again. Specifically: What kind of message are you sending about yourself, and your employer, to accept such an extravagant gift?
Sure, it's true that very few of us have the chance to be offered holiday tickets, but it's also true that many workers can be offered gifts that might put them in a bad position with their bosses, while at the same time compromising their professional and personal integrity.
Accepting gifts that are over the top, or ones that may force you to move your personal integrity meter in the wrong direction, and may eventually come back to seriously harm your career.
Giving also raises ethical questions.
While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with giving a gift, employees and employers need to focus on the intent of the gift. For example, a gift should be something that deepens a connection, something that is meaningful and isn't meant to take advantage of, or influence, another person.
Also, the gift-giving should be consistent. There shouldn't be a differentiation among what you give. Remember that your consistency becomes the currency of your success in how you do anything, including giving a gift.
Some things to consider:
- Focus on what should you give and what should you receive, not what can you give and what can you get.
- Give a gift that a person could afford on his or her own. At the same time, only accept gifts that you could afford yourself.
- Trust your gut. Ask yourself: If I accept a gift, would I be able to remain impartial about this person or company? Would I continue to be fair or would I treat them differently? Is this gift relevant to our relationship?
- Don't be insulting. Treat every offer of a gift in good faith. At the same time, be gracious when declining or accepting it under certain rules: Tell them you'll put the lavish gift basket in a common area for everyone at work to enjoy, or you'll hold a raffle for the holiday tickets.
Learn More: Gift Giving - Is It Ethical or Unethical?
