A gift presented to a male boss always raises suspicion. From the employee’s point of view, the gift is given as an appreciation of work. The manager, however, could see it as an attempt to bribe him or to ask for something — mostly unethical — in return. Some managers avoid awkward situations from the beginning by creating a culture at work of not accepting any gifts.
Bashir Njaim, a former human resources employee at a private company in Jeddah, said that employees should be careful before presenting any gifts to their managers, because it could be easily misunderstood. He said, “Presenting gifts always create a pleasant atmosphere at work. Managers can easily determine if there is a demand behind the gift. Some of my colleagues tried to be closer to our boss by presenting a gift, but the boss accepted the gift without changing his treatment.”
Yasser Alwani, a Syrian director at an engineering construction company, confirmed that there are a few employees at work who give gifts in order to receive a bonus or get to work overtime.
“Some employees believe that being close to the boss is the best way to get a bonus and additional work hours. That is why they try to present gifts to their boss,” he said.
He added, “Being a boss for many years in Saudi Arabia taught me not to receive gifts from employees, as they always look for something in return. They also tell the other employees that they presented gifts and became very close friends with their boss, while the truth is the opposite.”
According to Alwani, such thinking gets employees who give a present to their managers in trouble.
Karim Al-Masri, an Egyptian employee in a car insurance company, confirmed that he would never give his manager a present, because this may actually trigger his boss’ doubts about him.
“I would never present a gift to my boss, because it may make my boss suspicious, and he may begin to guess for the reasons behind the gift,” he said.
He added, “Avoiding personal relationships with bosses is the best way to avoid dilemma’s of presenting gifts. For example, I attended my boss’ wedding party because he invited all the employees. Some employees, however, visited him at home and presented a gift, but I didn't,” he said.
He added, “My boss is a kind person. He asked me to visit him at home, but I declined the invitation to avoid any personal relationship with my boss.”
On the other hand, according to Rafa'a Al-Johani, director of a governmental school in Jeddah, women bosses are more flexible in receiving gifts. It is in women’s nature to organize parties and invite even employees from work. They also try to attract every new employee to join these parties. Exchanging gifts between her and the teachers is a habit they would never stop.
“As teachers, we always give each other gifts. We do that because we appreciate each other,” she said. She added, “Unlike men, we love gifts and rarely someone tries to present a gift with an unethical motive behind it. Of course, it is different from one person to another, whether giving the gift or receiving it.”
Fares Al-Mulla, a Saudi director of a private company in Jeddah, prefers to accept gifts from his employees only when they return from vacation, on the condition that it is not something expensive.
“Most employees who return from vacation bring small gifts to all employees and managers. Such gifts are acceptable, because it is an old habit and everyone does that. In contrast, I will never accept any gift from an employee without reason,” said Al-Mulla.
He added, “I avoid sharing my personal news with employees, so they won’t present any gifts on the occasion of my wedding or baby birth.”
