OK, OH earns 125k, his secretary probably earns 35ish, how much should he spend on her Christmas present?

[DontWantToLookTight]

Just that really.
Hev namechanged cos don't want you to all think I'm minted!

I think if you're going to give cash it has to be a fair wad ie/ £50-£100 or nothing £30 and present looks a bit like you didn't know what else to get her if you're going to do that opt for vouchers rather than cash.

Ok.

You do need a good secretary/PA/dogsbody at that level so you can't pay peanuts or you'll get monkeys.

I'm not sure about cash though - seems like he won't have thought of anything - have to keep the staff that support you the most happy don't we?

How about the same but in vouchers for somewhere nice like M&S or something else a bit classier?

We always like them cos we see it as a treat compared to Tescos.

£50 cash + smellies. £30 is a really odd number to give - but that might be the accountant in me

DontWantToLookTight - have you met her? People can be very different to eachother - some people would like a pile of cash as a present (that's me ) but some may consider this thoughtless/patronising. Perhaps ask DH what sort of person she is to get a better idea?

what a thread of utter wankage

I think cash is a real no no. Looks thoughtless and is a bit embarrassing/patronising IMO.

Yeah - had an issue with one of our friends being resentful at our wage. But they have quite openly said they don't want a job that makes you take work home or work funny hours - you can't have both.

I think some people see a big wage and don't understand fully that it is compensation for the extra stress, responsibility and hours you have to work.

Get a voucher then!

Where does she live? Most shopping centres do a general voucher scheme now which you can use in any store.

Oh bollox - don't start all the 'oh but the hours are terrible and the stress unbearable' malarky.

Some people get lucky and earn a lot more than others. It's all relative - there are plenty on this site that earn waaayyyy more than this. But keeping quiet about it is usually the best course of action for all concerned!

yes, agree re £30, heard dh's voice in my ear, he is quite let's say careful about these things, but have no idea how can get vouchers as dh works miles away from shops! He's a lawyer too in the city, but is in new offices in an area that is just undergoing development and he won't have ANY time to go across river to get vouchers at lunchtime.
Back to drawing board.

Where in the City? Dear God there isn't a square inch of it that doesn;t have some kind of retail activity!

yes, will sort. thanks for all help. have a better idea of what to do now anyway.

I earn only slightly more than your OH's secretary (work part-time) but my assistant has done such a tremendous job this year, I spent £25 on her. TBH, I think a £30 gift from someone who earns what your OH does is a little tight. Unless his secretary is useless.

across the river from the tower of london, lots of eating, but no retail

Oh, I thought there was quite a lot of shops open around that way now?

Anything luxurious is a bonus - champagne - expensive body stuff (clarins, clinique etc)

But he's not going to have time now. Is there anyway you can find something and get it couriered/cabbed to him at work? Save embarrassment.

(oh, and for those who look like - get a grip and put your eyes back in your head - it aint a pretty look).

It's not about luck Banana - that's a very blinkered view.

It's about hard work and skill.

My DW works very hard and i am glad she is compensated for it.

I think some poeple just expect a wage to come looking for them.

no, not £30, have some bath and body stuff for £32, thenm a smelly candle for £15 and will put in a decent bottle of red, about £20, that will have to do it, has to be done before morning

CASH

Ah you see - that isn't 'The City'!

He could walk along the South bank for a few hundred yards and get an M&S voucher at More Place.

Giving money would look crass and patronising IMO. He could always get her an Amazon voucher if he can't get to a shop, I suppose?

why si money crap btu a voucher isnt

Eric - it is about luck a little bit.

Eric - "I think some people see a big wage and don't understand fully that it is compensation for the extra stress, responsibility and hours you have to work"

Lots of people have all that but work for peanuts, you know

Oooh VVV, if you could tell me of somewhere close I would be VERY grateful, but he swears he has to cross the river for any shopping, and doesn't have time. It is very close to tower bridge

Eric - there are loads of people who work hard and are very silled but don't make this kind of money.

Luck might be underpalying things a little, but most very successful high earners would concede that along the way, there was the odd element of being in the right place at the right time