Gifts For Coworkers

nicegesture.com has some sound advice for the holiday season: "Your coworkers and staff are your company's greatest assets, so it is imperative to gift accordingly. Giving gifts to your coworkers can build relationships, or can cause unanticipated problems..."

Here's an overview of their tips:

• DON'T discriminate
• DON'T play favorites
• Be careful about gifts for people of opposite sex
• Include everyone
• Double-check for personalization mistakes
• Buy gifts not work-related
• Be careful when giving food gifts

The article also offers some advice on giving gifts for a group of coworkers, get the full details here.

Should Salaries Be Made Public?

The radio show Here and Now on NPR station WBUR in Boston had an interesting segment today. It discussed the pros and cons of "salary transparency". Here's a summary of the discussion:

"Some researchers say most of us think we are underpaid and that colleagues are making more money than they actually are. Is salary transparency the solution? We speak to Traci Fenton, founder of WorldBlu, which compiles a list of what it calls the most democratic workplaces..."

The best part comes at the end. The host asks the proponent what her salary is, and she chooses not to share that information. Telling perhaps, but there may be certain work situations where this could help. It will be interesting to see if this becomes more widely adopted.

You can listen to the full audio clip online here.

Photo credit: su.bo

Red Ditto offers "100 Ways How NOT To Run a Business"

Red Ditto is an interesting blog written by a "previous manager" of startups. Topics are varied, and include workplace gems like:

"Mistake # 41: Is there a reason for your employees to discuss their salaries amongst their coworkers?

Mistake #23: Walk in and tell your boss you are worth it (without proven results)

Mistake #13: Evil bosses!" (13 - can't be a coincidence)

Anyway, check out the blog as they count their way up to 100.

Best Way to Annoy Your Co-Workers? E-mail

"ALL CAPS, Passive-Aggressive Copying Top Etiquette Experts' Electronic Don'ts List:

• Netiquette No-No #1: The Passive-Aggressive Copy
• Netiquette No-No #2: Reply All
• Netiquette No-No #3: SHOUTING AT YOUR COWORKERS"

Read the full article...