Ep. 43 – To Give or Not to Give? A Guide to Being Merry, Not Messy

Ep. 43 – To Give or Not to Give? A Guide to Being Merry, Not Messy

From Making Work Better: Employment Law & Workplace Challenges by The Prinz Law Firm

December 2, 2025 · 49 min · Season 3 · Episode 43

About this episode

This episode discusses the legal pitfalls and best practices surrounding gift-giving in the workplace during the holiday season.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and workplaces can help to keep spirits high by staying clear of potential issues surrounding gift-giving in the office. What may seem like a simple gesture between coworkers can also lead to a variety of legal pitfalls, from discrimination and harassment claims to tax implications. Business counselors Chad Ayers and Christina Hynes Mesco dive into those issues by sharing stories of their own holiday experiences at work. In this episode, we'll share suggestions for success when giving gifts to colleagues. Chad and Christina will discuss: The potential implications of a manager giving gifts to subordinates Whether the typical "Christmas bonus" or high-value gifts should be considered as wages How the public and private sectors differ in their approaches to accepting gifts What kinds of gifts may have tax implications How workplaces generally treat holiday celebrations outside of gift-giving Inclusive alternatives to a gift exchange To make the most of this time of year, streamline your organization's gift-giving and holiday celebrations. Tune in to hear our recommendations for how employers can show they care while also avoiding liability…

People in this episode

Host: Christina Hynes

Topics covered

  • gift-giving
  • workplace culture
  • legal implications
  • holiday celebrations
  • discrimination
  • harassment
  • tax implications

Keywords

  • Christmas bonus
  • manager gifts
  • inclusive alternatives
  • holiday spirit

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Ep. 13, How Can You Throw a Safe and Appropriate Holiday Party

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