Nov 23 2008
Small Business: Gifting employees should be fun
Gifting employees is fun but it is also s chore. You know – that fair thing and all. It is difficult to find one gift that is appropriate for all and at a price you can afford. It is also true that a gift over $25 (from my memory) is taxable income to the employee.
What I like to do is have an employee party and have them trade gifts among themselves. Company parties can be held at a nice restaurant, at the business itself or even at the owner’s home. The most important thing is to make your employees feel special and to show them a good time.
Political issues are less likely to show up at parties held by small business owners. The intense competition for pecking order is missing because the employees tend to be closer and more likely to share work assignments. In other words the employees tend to be cross-trained for multiple duties within the business.
When you are unsure what the employees would enjoy the most you can leave the decision up to them. Give them the choices of two or three options that will work for you and let them vote on which one they want.
A party or celebration is supposed to be fun. Don’t let the stress of planning it ruin the fun.
