Gifts by clients 1

[Cachuca]

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a client who had a code issue. His construction renovation was stopped by a code official and he needed State approved drawings YESTERDAY (no difference there), because they had a refinancing closing deadline coming soon. Ths was a BIG deal to them.

After more than several conference calls, calls from the Owner and administrator, State and local reviewers etc, I revised and resubmitted the dwgs. within a day, sent them to the State and received the approval before the dreaded deadline, everybody was happy, I saved the day!

To my surprise, I received a HUGE gift basket (chocolates, cookies, you name it!) a day before Christmas from the client, thanking me for all my help. My boss (the owner of the firm), called me to go over and pick it up and take it home. I offered my boss to split the goodies from the gift basket, but after I insisted, he only took one little thing.

My question is, was it ok for my to take the Gift Basket home or should I have just taken it to the office and share it with the other employees? I asked my wife and she said I did nothing wrong, since it was sent to me directly for my good work and I was the only person who worked on the project. What do you guys think?

Thank you!

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

How ethical is it to give and receive gifts
thread765-77924

 

[TheTick]

1. It seems from your post the gift was directed to you for your help.
2. The top dog says "take it home, it's yours".
3. The gift was not excessive.
4. You did not hide it.
5. You did nothing unethical to compel the giving of the gift.

I see a lot of good reasons to accept the gift graciously, enjoy both it and your holiday.

My personal belief is that it is unreasonable to expect others to share what is theirs just because "sharing is good and nice and warm and fuzzy and all the good children do it". {gag} Still, expect ill will from the other children should they discover you non-sharingness.

Then again, holidays usually see a coma-inducing influx of excess sugar, so I doubt your basket will be missed.

 

[greenone]

Enjoy it in the spirit in which it was given. Each office has its own way of handling this-some I've worked in allowed us to keep baskets if we shared among the whole office, one treated holiday gifts as tips to the engineers, and others made us send them back. In NYC, that was akin to slapping the sender in the face, but the home office was adamant.
You boss knows about it, so it is unlikely you are breaking any policy.

 

[GregLamberson]

I agree, accept it. Acceptance of gifts is generally not the issue, it is disclosure and expected reciprocity. I would make it clear to the giver that your undersatanding is that the gift was given for appreciation and nothing further is expected from your side.

Greg Lamberson
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[FACS]

With your boss' blessing, you can do as you wish.

I would think in the spirit of teamwork and respect, that one might share rewards with the rest of one's peers.

It's still your call, but what might those around you think?

Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[Cachuca]

Thank you for all your opinions.
I gotta add that I contacted the client and expressly thank him for his gesture. I do not think he expects any "privileges outside of the realm of engineering and business ethics" just by giving the gift basket.

FACS: I took the gift home and I do not really think people in the office mind at all, at least that is my perception.

Thanks, JPG

 

[DRC1]

Life is a collection of pluses and minuses. If you don't accept the plusses, (with in reason of course)all you will have is minuses. Enjoy the fact that someone appreciated the fact you helped them. But if you still feel the need to share, I'll take a chocolate chip.

 

[Ron]

The gift was in thanks, not enticement. It was not excessive nor was it out of character. Accept it graciously....it is not a breach of ethics in my humble opinion.

 

[Ashereng]

Yes, by all means accept the gift in the spirit it was given. What you do with it afterwards is up to you.

Personally, I don't eat all that much sweets, and chocolates make me break out, so, I usually put the basket in the lunch room (or whereever a common area is in the company) with a sign that says "Help Yourselves - Courtesy of XXXX". Of course, I usually take one or two items to my office before putting the goddies out - after all, it was given to me! ;-)

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[DrillerNic]

Transparency International (one of the big anti-corruption bodies) has a useful yardstick for telling the difference between a gift and a bribe:

A gift is given in public, for all to see whereas a bribe is given in private, where none can see.

So I'd say it's a gift, accept it with humility and enjoy it!