National Bosses Day is Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Are you buying your boss a gift?
I’ve always believed in shopping down.
In short, I am willing to buy a gift for people who are my peers or work for me, but not for a boss. However, as I mellow (and age!) I do believe there are exceptions. Before you just go through the motions, ask yourself the following before purchasing a Bosses Day gift for the big cheese.
Have they gone out of their way for me?
Oftentimes, the boss is in the unique position of directly impacting your life. If they have done anything to make the job, or your life, a bit better, say thanks with a token of appreciation.
For example, perhaps your boss granted you permission to work from home one day a week after having a child or made an exception for you to accommodate a personal issue. Perhaps you are simply grateful to be treated with respect. In cases like this, celebrate Bosses Day 2012 by giving a gift.
Does my boss have my best interest at heart?
Bosses have the challenging job of treating everyone equally. Employees want a boss that will fight for them and protect them. If your boss is constantly taking credit for your ideas and not giving you a slice of the glory, then buying a Bosses Day gift is probably not necessary.
Do I genuinely like/respect my boss?
If the answer is “yes” then you should find the time to let them know. You don’t need a special day or even a gift to do this. Sometimes it’s a simple as telling them.
What is your boss’s expectation?
Every boss is different. If you have worked for the same person for some time, you should have an idea of what their expectation is. It’s probably wrong to buy a gift for someone because you think they expect it, but on the flipside, why worry about disappointing someone who holds a great deal of power over you?
What are your coworkers doing?
I know, I know, the last thing we want to do is copy what everyone else is doing. However, not giving your boss a gift when everyone else does makes you feel foolish. Likewise, being the only person to give a gift, will get you labeled Brownnoser #1. Take an informal poll to find out what your coworkers are doing, Heck, you might even be able to go in on a gift together.
As with all gift giving, you should only do it if you feel it. Are you buying your boss a gift this year? Share your thoughts on Bosses Day in the comments section below.
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