'Tis the season for the spreading of holiday cheer with family and friends gathered from far and near. Based on a recent poll, however, many Americans aren't taking their Christmas pleasantries with them to the office.
Fewer employees are exchanging gifts with their co-workers this holiday, according to newly released survey data compiled by Harris Interactive on behalf of Spherion, a staffing services firm. Last year, close to 40 percent of respondents in a similar poll indicated that they were giving gifts to friends and colleagues in the workplace. In this year's survey, however, only 31 percent indicated as much.
The same holds true for gift giving to supervisors. Slightly more than 1 in 4 – 28 percent – said they intended to provide their bosses with a gift item over the holidays, the poll found, which is down from 1 in 3, or 34 percent, last year.
Workers spending $20 less
Even among those who do intend to be in the spirit of gift giving this holiday, they're not spending as much as they have in the past, despite the National Retail Federation's estimate that the average buyer will buy more this year than in 2014. Workers plan on spending close to $20 less on gift items for their co-workers and colleagues over the Christmas holiday and between $10 and $14 less on their bosses and supervisors, Spherion reported from its poll findings.
Sandy Mazur, Spherion division president, pointed out that it's not necessarily that Americans are feeling the squeeze on finances or are feeling less charitable, but rather feeling conflicted about the appropriate amount to spend.
"While many offices and their workers want to acknowledge the holiday season within the workplace, many are struggling to find the right balance in making sure all employees feel comfortable and can enjoy celebrating," Mazur explained. "As the holiday season draws closer, it's important for companies and their workers to be transparent and set ground rules for gift giving, decor and events that match their office culture, while also promoting the fun and camaraderie that this time of year is all about."
Employers say 'thanks' through company get-togethers
Starting with Thanksgiving, the holiday season is a period for reflection and appreciation, something that many workers feel is the main reason they have office parties this time of year. More than half of employees believe that end-of-year celebrations are mainly held as a way to say thank you for staff members' hard work, the poll found. When respondents were asked to give their company a letter grade – A through F – assessing how appreciated they felt as an employee, 53 percent said it was worthy of a B.
Employee benefits – such as health insurance, flexible hours or discounts on gym memberships – can serve as a way to say thanks for workers' hard-fought efforts. Currently, however, many 9-to-5ers don't feel like the benefits and rewards programs their company offers make them feel appreciated. More than 50 percent of employees want more reward opportunities than their organization provides at present, according to a separate poll conducted by employee engagement services provider Blackhawk Engagement Solutions. Additionally, almost 60 percent of employees say that the recognition of their achievements is something that's important to their happiness in the workplace.
"Our research finds that, as a whole, current hourly employee rewards programs aren't all that rewarding," said Rodney Mason, vice president of marketing at Blackhawk Engagement Solutions. "[This] is directly impacting not only their happiness in the workplace, but also productivity levels.
"Hourly employees want more immediate and consistent recognition for the accomplishments from managers and executives."
He added that some of the more well-received rewards programs are gift certificates and prepaid cards, given to workers who go above and beyond the call of duty over a month, quarter or full year.
