Host: When is it necessary or appropriate to give my boss a gift?

Nancy Mitchell: As a rule of firm an employee does not usually give a gift to a boss and bosses should not expect gifts from people whom they employ. There may be exceptions to that rule. If for instance your boss is more a friend, is more a mentor, you have very special relationship and a long standing relationship with the boss you may in fact want to give a gift. There are certain things you need to ask yourself at that point, why am I giving the gift? And that checklist should include, am I thanking them for a special mentoring? And I thanking them for the support they have given me, for the opportunities they have given me in business. Then yes give them something to thank them, at the end of the year, at a birthday, at the anniversary of their service to the company, it is perfectly alright.

One thing to avoid is giving beyond your means, you earn at a certain level, your boss earns at another level, don t give a gift that is at the economic level of your boss, you give a gift which is at your economic level. Try to personalize it, you of all people you have spend time with that boss, you know his or her interests, do they like sports? Do they like cooking? Do they like travel? Do they like movies? Are they eco-friendly? Are they involved in the community shelter or other charity where a donation in their name would be something that would be very, very appropriate for them? So try to choose a gift at your economic level that fits their need or their interest and you will never go wrong, you also personalize it by including a note that thanks them, for whatever they have done for you during the year and explains if you will why you are giving the gift, but bosses should never expect gifts from employees.