Tips for holiday gift giving at work

Giving gifts to your co-workers during the holidays doesn't need to cause you a lot of stress, break the bank, or even cost any money. But if you do decide to give some holiday cheer to your work colleagues, here are some factors to consider, according to Harvard Business Review: While the act of giving a gift is intended to be a simple gesture grounded in generosity and appreciation, several industries including financial services, health care, pharma, and medical devices have strict gift-giving policies. Don't break the bank. This is not only for compliance purposes but also to avoid causing the discomfort some may feel in receiving a more lavish gift. One way to personalize your gift is to make a donation in your colleague's name to a charity that they support and is meaningful to them. Or you can tie the gift to the person's outside interests. However, stay away from jewelry or clothing. Movie tickets or a restaurant gift card can be a small indulgence that your colleague wouldn't have planned for themselves. While perishable items are generally acceptable from a compliance standpoint, and can be good to share among several people, unless you know that the recipient consumes the specific items you're sending, this can be a bit of a minefield if the recipient has dietary restrictions, problems with alcohol addiction, or religious constraints. Read the full story from Harvard Business Review (subscription).