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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does your manager get you a gift a Christmas?

166 replies

Angrybird345 · 01/12/2018 18:08

Just wondering if anybody gets a Christmas gift from their (very well paid) manager? I go above and beyond and have saved managers arse so many times....never get a thing. Maybe he should get me a mug, cuz that’s what I am!

OP posts:
Notthisnotthat · 01/12/2018 20:31

My boss sometimes gets us a bottle of wine but some years we don't get. We are public sector but he is on a lot more than the team he manages (4 of us) he buys the drinks at our lunch (soft ones as we can't drink on work time).

My last manager gave us thoughtful gifts, not expensive but things she knew we would like.

UbiquitousDust · 01/12/2018 20:33

I worked in a team of 25 in my last job. The manager came in and announced he'd bought advent calendars for us which we were quite touched by... turned out he'd gone to the pound shop and bought 2 for all of us to share. 🤣 He must have been gutted when 2 people left during December which made his 2nd advent calendar an unnecessary indulgence for his staff!

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 01/12/2018 20:38

Like, "oh my diamond shoes are awfully uncomfortable!"

But they are and that’s why DH can’t afford gifts for his team. 🤪

UbiquitousDust · 01/12/2018 20:41

In my current job, the done thing seems to be for people on minimum wage to club together to buy the manager (who is definately not on min wage) a gift regularly... It's his birthday, it's Christmas, his brother's neighbour's dog died last month...

I've only been there 6 months and have already had to contribute to 8 collections, 3 of which were for him. Trying to judge how soon I can start saying no to them.

Doubt we'll get a christmas gift. Wouldn't expect one either.

ForalltheSaints · 01/12/2018 20:46

No, never have and do not expect one. Work in the public sector so not allowed to accept them from suppliers.

bimbobaggins · 01/12/2018 20:53

ubiquitos that’s ridiculous and you should start saying no now.

saveforthat · 01/12/2018 20:55

You just can't manage 100 people though can you? Any more than about 8 and you'd struggle to deal with appraisals,121s sickness holidays disciplineries grievances etc. etc.

SherryToes · 01/12/2018 20:57

SauvignonBlanche could you buy some chocs or other treats for everyone to share in the office over the last week before Christmas?
FWIW, I always buy wine or chocs for my team. DH takes his out for drinks but doesn’t buy them anything.
Have worked for managers who have variously given nothing, little prank gifts, wine, and one awful year homemade (wearable) gifts that were just awful and which my manager had martyred herself over for weeks, (if it was that stressful, we’d have all been happy without, thank you).

SheHasNotions · 01/12/2018 20:59

We do secret Santa in my team including my manager.

Manager takes us for a drink in the pub for our last team meeting of the year - usually a couple of bottles of champagne between 8 of us (6 drinkers)

I’m happy with that. We’re public sector, so no expectations Grin.

Sunhill4 · 01/12/2018 21:02

I manage 20 people, am sole breadwinner with 3 kids to buy for at Xmas & really cannot afford to buy that many extra presents. Plus i don't actually take home more than the people i'm employed to manage!! Why do people always assume what other peoples wages are?! I do however join in with secret santa & the xmas works do.

FudgeyCookie · 01/12/2018 21:05

My manager buys each location a couple of things (box of sweets and biscuits I think last year), however some locations have 1 person who works there, while others have 3 or 4 people based there.

I'm on my own so tend to take the one I like the most and send the other one to one of the other locations, so they can share it out. Normally get an email from the area manager thats above my manager.

UbiquitousDust · 01/12/2018 21:06

@bimbobaggins I'm the new girl though so need to get a good reputation before I get known as not being a team player. 😁 I will start saying no though, don't worry.

I've got it in my head that I'll inspire others to see the stupidity and I'll start a revolution!

ibblebibbledibble · 01/12/2018 21:07

No not even a card. First place I’ve worked that I don’t.

bimbobaggins · 01/12/2018 21:18

I think you will start a revolution ubiquitous, all it takes is one person. Probably everyone else hates it too.

I’m cutting back on gift giving this Christmas and the people I have suggested it to are delighted.

Didsomeonesaybunny · 01/12/2018 21:21

My manager is the CEO - he’s not the type to gift to his employees. Ex CEO did though and nice stuff too.

I have 20 people in my team that I head up, 5 direct reports. I buy all 20 of them gifts, only to the value of £10 though.

tinytreefrog · 01/12/2018 21:23

GrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

That's the funniest thing I've heard all year!!
In all fairness we used to get one, but new management = no more giving a shit about staff!

BackBoiler · 01/12/2018 21:24

I returned back off sick leave in the new year this year to find a a gift wrapped box of posh chocolates and a Christmas card from a consultant I do some work for. It was a lovely touch because I had been off for a few weeks too

LeeRoar · 01/12/2018 21:38

Prosecco every year for the past 6 years.

Despite numerous conversations about me (and 3 others) hating the stuff and how I love cherry Lambrini (which is about £15 odd cheaper).

I mean I know it's the thought that counts but when we get him his Christmas present we take a little bit of time to think about it! Sad

CountFosco · 01/12/2018 22:02

I have never received a Christmas gift from a manager and have never given one either. I do buy random small gifts of posh chocolates for people when they go above and beyond for work but not just for Christmas. But all my staff earn above average salaries and we all get stuff from the company, bonuses based on company performance and free fancy Christmas party and shopping vouchers for hitting targets and big discounts off company products (this is a big deal because they make desirable consumer goods, I have a list of stuff to buy for family for Christmas) etc. So I don't think anyone is grouching because I haven't bought then a candle.

And the impressiveness of managing 100 people surely depends on how many are on minimum wage and how many have PhDs or professional qualifications?

Sloegin2 · 01/12/2018 22:06

I’m a midwife.
Last Christmas - no joke, the manager had left a pack of boiled sweets so there was 1 each if half the people there didn’t want one.
More than we normally get anyway!

diamantegal · 01/12/2018 23:14

Out of interest, are the more extravagant gifts coming from expenses rather than personal spend? I think I'm fairly generous, but I'd consider a bottle of wine a suitable Christmas gift for my team - not restaurant vouchers and gift cards; that's more than I'd get for some of my family!

Now worrying that my team will think I'm being too stingy - despite the fact that I'm one of the few managers to do anything at all!

ThePinkOcelot · 01/12/2018 23:17

Last year I got £100 gift card and prosecco and chocolate gift set.

I do think managers with a lot of people under them could still get something. Some tubs of Quality Street, Roses and Celebrations would hardly break the bank.

Sarcelle · 01/12/2018 23:29

Doesn't even wish me a merry Christmas.

Eilaianne · 01/12/2018 23:31

Sorry I should have added, my "boss manages about 40 people" comments should have come with a small caveat - none of us get Christmas presents but we do get random "I've put three boxes of biscuits in the staff canteen" notes about three or four times a year.
I think he's buying them himself on the way into work but sometimes it's twice in two month, other times nothing for six months. Probably depends on stress levels and remembering because I can't think that it's ever been tied to a time of year.

It would be weird for it to be a Christmas thing anyway, most of our staff are very international (lots of Muslims who fast, there were somany sweet things people brought in for Jewish and the Diwali stuff recently).

I'm happy with this setup, it feels fair but is a nice surprise when it does show up.

Mumof1andacat · 01/12/2018 23:35

A box of chocolates from my line manager normally. She manages 2 people. Nothing from anyone else or my employer (nhs). I provide admin support for 12 doctors.