EXPERT OPINION EXPE TH A
s Christmas approaches, you may be planning Secret Santa, where employees buy their colleagues a gift
s
approaches, may
be
Christmas you
planning et Santa, wher
employees buy their colleagues a gift
It may seem like a simple and fun way to spreadsomeChristmas cheer in the workplace. So what could possibly go wr
anonymously and normally with a low price tag. It may s
y,
One colleague may find the gift they bought amusing, but the person who received the pr may find it offensive. There can be a very fine line between a joke or a prank and harassment or bullying. Even if th
it can end in tears. One co
olleague may find the
gift they bought amusing, but the person who received the present may find it offensive. There can be a very fine line between a joke or a prank and harassment or bullying. Even if this does not amount to harassment or bullying, it can give rise to employee grievances, sour workplace relationships and have a negative impact on team dynamics. So, it’s useful for managers to emind their employees to refrain from buying inappropriate, insensitive or embarrassing gifts. In
harassment or bullying
his does not amount to yg, it can give
rise to employee grievances, sour workplace relationships and have a negative impact on team dynamics. So, it’s useful for managers to remind their employees to r om
buying inappropriate,
insensitive or embarrassing gifts. In particular, remind employees that:r,, remind employees that:
Some people may take offence Some people may take offe at risqué,
ence
at risqué, lewd or tongue-in-lewd or tongue-in- cheek gifts, such as sexy lingerie, chocolate shaped body parts and vulgar calendars.
cheek gifts, such as sexy lingerie, chocolate shaped body parts and vulgar calendars.
It’s important to be respectful of dividual’s religion or beliiefs. 8, a police officer gave his m colleague some bacon and as Secret Santa gi Afts. As a m, it is against his religion pork or drink alcohol. ff
t’s important to be respectful of the individual’s religion or beliefs. In 2008, a police officer gave his Muslim colleague some bacon and wine as Secret Santa gifts. As a Muslim, it is against his religion to eat pork or drink alcohol. The Muslim police officer did not make a formal complaint, but senior w
ff b f
did not make a formal complaint, but senior police officers police officers were outraged. The police ficer who gave the gift was forced to resign a esult of the incident.
wer
outraged. The pol officer who gave the gift was forced to resign as a result of the incident.
o ice as a
guidance and protec e in
advisors.For mor membership team o
18 DIY WEEK 15 DECEMBER 2017 DIY WEEK 15 DECEMBER 2017
They should not exploit people’s known vulnerabilities,
They should not exploit people’s known vulnerabilities, for example, giving someone hair dye, diet pills or extra str deodorant. These esents could be em and distasteful.
for
example, giving someone hair dye, diet pills or extra strong deodorant. These types of presents could be embarrassing and distasteful.
types of mbarrassing d lf th emp oyees of
You should also remindr mind employees of the dignity atl work, work, discrimination, bullying and harassment policies and that anyone who fails to follow these workplace rules will be subject to disciplinary pr
ou should also the discrimination, es s.
dignity at bullying
and harassment policies and that anyone who fails to follow these workplace rules will be subject to disciplinary procedures.
And remember: I And remember: If you do receive any complaints, you should take them seriously and deal with them according to your
If eceive any compla you do aints, you
should take them seriously and deal with them according to your procedures.
BIRA members have unlimited access to legal advice, guidance and protection from a dedicated team of legal
advisors.For more information, visit
www.bira.co.uk or call the membership team on 0121 446 6688 opt. 1
BIRA members have unlimited access to legal advice, ction from a dedicated team of legal
formation, visit www n 0121 446 6688 opt. 1
.bira.co.uk or call the
www.diyweek.net
www.diyweek.net
way to spread some Christmas cheer in the workplace. So what could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately, it can end in tears.
anonymously and normally with a low price tag.
seem like a simple and fun
ERT OPINION ERT OPINION
THE PERILS OF SECRET SANTA
HE PERIL S OF SECRET S
SANT
Secret Santa: A fun idea to spread cheer in store or a potential legal nightmare? Ellis Whittam – provider of employm
ment law ith gift-giving game do so in th the riht ight spirit did it and avoid any issues. T
Secret Santa: A fun idea to spread cheer in store or a potential legal nightmare? Ellis Whittam – provider of employment law, HR and health & safety support to members of the British Independent Retailer Association (BIRA) – advises retailers on how to make sure staff planning to take part in the gift-giving game do so in the right spirit and avoid any issues.
safety support to members of the British Independent Retailer Association (BIRA) – advises retailers on how to make sure staff planning to take part in the gift
w,, HR and health &
TA
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