The UK publication, The Lawyer, has passed on the following, slightly hysterical warning from an English law firm.
“Manchester firm Lewis Hymanson Small has issued a timely reminder to office workers to exercise caution over when choosing their Secret Santa presents. According to the firm’s head of employment law Neeta Laing, an inappropriate gift could even lead to a harassment case.
“If an employee does receive, for example, a pair of lacy knickers and finds the gift offensive and wishes to pursue a harassment case, this must be taken seriously,” said Laing, before going on to explain the steps employers can take to make sure that the annual Christmas party doesn’t lead to a date in court.
She also advised staff to think about who they were buying for. “Use your common sense,” continued Laing. “Don’t give religious colleagues alcohol or offensive magazines, male colleagues tool kits or female workers kitchenalia.”
Among the presents to avoid, the firm listed aprons, diet books, alcohol and deodorant.” (The Lawyer, 17 December 2010)
I don’t know about you, but whilst this advice is a new twist on the annual (and somewhat tedious) “be careful of the office Chritmas party” press releases that appear every year from law firms all over the world, it is pushing political correctness just a wee bit too far. They’ll be telling us next the only safe presents are socks and hankies – give me a tool kit, or even "kitchenalia" any day!
Happy holidays everyone!
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