"christmas bonuses gift cards instead of cash?

Question

I am an employer. I have 110 employees. this year I spent 20,000.00 on christmas for the employees. 7000.00 on a party and spent 13000.00 on gift cards to wal-mart with cards given from 25.00 to 250.00 per employee depending on thier tenure. I beleive they expect more since years past I have given what I could. Is this a bad gift to give employees at Christmas time?

Answer 1

I think your gift(s) are generous. Many employers give nothing. Gifts more than $25.00 are taxable to employee anyway and that certainly wouldnt make them happy. Gift cards are fine, they can always give them away if they cant use them. That's a great gift. You're a great boss!

Answer 2

I think any gift the employer gives with a giving heart is a great gift. If for some reason you feel that your employees might feel slighted this year due to comparing gifts you have given in the past. I would suggest that you include in the envelope a letter telling your employees how much your value them and a statement something like:

"As always, holiday bonus' depend on the financial health of the company. Please know that financial stability cannot always be predicted. However, _________ would like to share our good fortune with our valued employees. Have a wonderful holiday and we wish you a prosperous New Year."

I think something is better than nothing and a touching heart felt note from the powers that be, really goes a long way. The note above is very similar to the note that we placed in our holiday bonus envelopes this year.

You seem like a great employer. Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year to you, your employees, and to your company!

Answer 3

i personally, dont feel an employeer has to feel they are supposed to give christmas bonuses and when employees expect it, i think thats kind of greedy of them. if an employee does get a bonus, party or other gift from their boss or anyone for that matter, they should be grateful. there are cases tho where bonuses are part of the salary or are suggested to be. in that case, when the employee does expect it for good reason as part of their salary, that is a different story. ps, i have only been an employee and not an employer and i am pro christmas. so to answer your question, your gifts to your employees sound good. merry christmas :)

Answer 4

Don't go to the ****** site, I hear it is a virus. But, I think you are spending too much. I would cut down on the party and I would give money.I would stop at 200 no matter how long they have been there. My hubby has worked for the same company for over 20 yrs and gets the same bonus every year. We are thankful that he gets any thing.And. Like me, there is no Wal Mart in town. And I don't care that much for it any way.

Answer 5

I honestly would have preferred cash. I have gift cards here from birthdays and Christmas from several years past. When I have them, I never seem to need anything from the stores I have them for. When a time comes I could use them, I never have them on me. Unless you're getting those gift cards at a discount, then I can't see why you wouldn't just give cash instead. Good on you though for even giving them anything at all.

Answer 6

Depending on the store, you might just be able to go in and purchase something of nominal value and get cash back. If not, your plan will probably wind up in you getting a store credit (since you paid with a store credit). Basically, quit your whining. At least you got a gift.