jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Dec 15, 2015 21:35:21 GMT -5
I just found out today we are giving all employees very nice Swiss Army knives as Xmas gifts. I was not consulted before these were purchased and have trepidations. I don't think this is an appropriate gift. I asked if they had checked with our Corp legal and HR dept and they said no. I am worried about the liability.
Also, if one of these were lost and found at a crime scene, with our Company logo, the publicity could be very bad!
Thoughts? Am I over thinking this?
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moneyminded
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Post by moneyminded on Dec 15, 2015 21:45:28 GMT -5
Oh please, we've gotten so "politically correct" this unfortunately has you over thinking. I think a Swiss Army Knife would be an awesome gift to get. I've seen many with a company logo. I don't think any one would think anything of it. Not only is there a tiny knife attached, but some other cool gadgets. I think someone did a good job not giving out the same old boring gifts. Besides, company knives don't kill people, people kill people. No liability. Chill.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Dec 15, 2015 21:52:40 GMT -5
I have a Swiss Army Knife in my car. It even has a cork screw. I have never used it.
I carry a 1.5 inch knife on my car key ring. I cut out coupons with it at the grocer. Very handy.
I think that is a nice gift.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 15, 2015 22:02:08 GMT -5
Awesome gift! I used to carry one in my purse until TSA took it. Need to replace it.
Im sure the employees are glad it is not another umbrella.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Dec 15, 2015 22:03:22 GMT -5
See, this is why I'm friendly with everyone I work with. No one is going to shiv me in the bathroom with the company knife! Lol.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Dec 15, 2015 22:09:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies! Last year we gave really nice wind breaker jackets that I see employees wearing everyday, so it's not like we give crappy gifts. A knife just seemed weird to me.
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milee
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Post by milee on Dec 15, 2015 22:11:09 GMT -5
A smart criminal wouldn't use a Swiss Army knife since there is not a proper locking mechanism on the blade. That's why you really should be giving a Leatherman or Gerber multitool instead of the Swiss stuff.
I wouldn't worry from a liability standpoint, just wonder if it's something most of the employees would like and use. If so - sounds fine. Depending on your work place, this could be weird and out of place or considered really thoughtful. Only you know which.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Dec 15, 2015 22:14:18 GMT -5
It's a Swiss army knife, not a dagger or machete.
Probably only inappropriate if your a parole officer.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Dec 15, 2015 22:36:55 GMT -5
It probably wouldn't go over well at my company, but your culture may be different. There has been a lot of training the past year on workplace violence and yeah- a knife would cause a lot of raised eyebrows. I'm obviously in the minority here though. Good luck!
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Dec 15, 2015 22:40:39 GMT -5
Who doesn't want 25 useless tiny tools housed in a giant hard to grip case?
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Dec 15, 2015 23:56:29 GMT -5
It was odd as our meeting started with 30 minutes on safety, etc, then I learn that we are giving our employees knives? Maybe that is what threw me. And I'm not sure how our employees will like them? Maybe 50% will?
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haapai
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Post by haapai on Dec 16, 2015 0:22:08 GMT -5
I love Swiss army knives and I wouldn't be too worried about the knife part. Its not-very-sharp, not-very-pointy, three-inchish blades don't worry me much. The time and attentiveness required to unfold the blade makes them absolutely useless in fights and in crimes of passion. It takes quite a bit of surprise, premeditation, and anatomy study to turn that blade into something lethal. I think that pencils and box-cutters might be more dangerous.
A six-in-one tool that may or may not contain a blade but is built around a pair of sturdy pliers may be several times more deadly than even the largest Swiss Army-type tool. It makes a better bludgeon.
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wmpeon
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Post by wmpeon on Dec 16, 2015 0:36:44 GMT -5
I wouldn't be concerned, though I personally don't think this is a very good choice, unless the gift ties in somehow to the company's business. Personally, I prefer cash.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Dec 16, 2015 1:49:05 GMT -5
I just found out today we are giving all employees very nice Swiss Army knives as Xmas gifts. I was not consulted before these were purchased and have trepidations. I don't think this is an appropriate gift. I asked if they had checked with our Corp legal and HR dept and they said no. I am worried about the liability.
Also, if one of these were lost and found at a crime scene, with our Company logo, the publicity could be very bad!
Thoughts? Am I over thinking this? Yes, you're overthinking this. I got a Swiss Army knife from the hospital for X years of service, and I love it. I keep it in the car, and can't tell you how often it's come in handy. It was a choice between a clock or the knife. I don't need a clock, even though it was a really nice clock.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 16, 2015 5:47:07 GMT -5
DD thought it was a great gift but also thought there were better brands now to choose from. Nice thing unless there's a dumb logo on it, you can regift it if you don't like it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 7:00:03 GMT -5
Why don't they just give a gift card so people can spend it how they want, I would never give a knife as a gift at work no matter how small.
At the very least I would run it by HR/Legal.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 16, 2015 7:17:01 GMT -5
I just got a gift card to Applebee's. I detest Applebee's. I will regift it along with some cash to someone else. That's why I'm hoping the knife doesn't have some company logo on it? Thereby rendering it useless for regifting.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 7:21:22 GMT -5
I just got a gift card to Applebee's. I detest Applebee's. I will regift it along with some cash to someone else. That's why I'm hoping the knife doesn't have some company logo on it? Thereby rendering it useless for regifting. We just give a simple VISA preloaded card for x dollars and get a great deal on them because of volume. I think that is a lot better than a specific place.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Dec 16, 2015 7:23:34 GMT -5
I don't think it's a big deal. But, really, most people would rather get a gift card instead. And, I don't have a pocketknife. Nowadays, you can't just toss one in your purse and forget about it. If your kid takes it to school or you go to the airport or whatever. It's not something i have any need of. So, for the most part i think people are tossing them in a drawer and will never use them. And, its kind of annoyinng to have the company logo stamped on everything. That really isn't a gift, it's advertising.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Dec 16, 2015 7:45:45 GMT -5
I think it's cool! My dad carries one around and uses it all the time and DH has one in his car amd it comes in handy for opening things.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Dec 16, 2015 7:53:03 GMT -5
It does have our company logo on it.
I would have gone the gift card route as well, and we don't have to pay any fees through our bank. I know many of our employees work paycheck to paycheck and a gift card could be used to buy presents or given as a gift.
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Dec 16, 2015 7:57:18 GMT -5
What is the max you can gift an employee on a gift card? Without the worry of taxes?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 8:08:01 GMT -5
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 16, 2015 8:27:32 GMT -5
It does have our company logo on it.
I would have gone the gift card route as well, and we don't have to pay any fees through our bank. I know many of our employees work paycheck to paycheck and a gift card could be used to buy presents or given as a gift. That's just cheap and rude. Ugh.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 16, 2015 8:41:22 GMT -5
Yes, you are overthinking this.
A windbreaker with your company logo could just as easily show up at a crime scene. Sure - less likely to be the murder weapon, but the real publicity would be that a murderer worked for your company, not that the company provided a knife.
My company gave me a swiss army knife type thing years ago. I loved that thing. It was the best thing I had in my purse. But TSA rules, and my increased travel schedule, I took it out of my purse, and missed it dearly. It is around here somewhere. Now that I don't travel as much, maybe I should put it back into the purse.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 8:52:05 GMT -5
I got one from a previous employer years ago, also with the company logo. I always had it with me and it came in handy sometimes, but when the TSA got crazy I put it in a drawer. DH lost a great multi-purpose tool to the TSA. Once when they wanted to take it, I actually found a place to hide it in the airport and got it when we returned, but the next time he forgot and had it with him at the airport we gave up. It's not what I'd choose, but an OK gift.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Dec 16, 2015 9:32:02 GMT -5
This is probably the only time I have ever said this but the only appropriate gift from an employer to their employee is cash period. Most gifts even if useful to some people aren't going to be wanted by the majority. Even gift cards will end up unused by a few and I really I don't want anything with your logo on it. If the company can't see it to give cash then a visa type gift card is okay. But really cash is all any employee really wants from their employer.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Dec 16, 2015 11:06:51 GMT -5
This thread is exactly why my company stopped giving out gifts at christmas. Period.
We tried coats, hats and things with the company logo to develop some sort of company spirit-(most of our guys work outsides so appropriate- some people bitched. We tried various food items- including involved baskets- some people bitched. We tried having a big lunch- and it some thought it wasn't enough- ie some people bitched We tried cash- which they have to pay tax on- some people bitched
Since we are far more apt to hear about how much they didn't like it- rather than anyone actually saying " hey thanks for doing something for your employees" we stopped doing anything. Now the same people bitch that we don't appreciate them. But at least it didn't cost us anything.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Dec 16, 2015 11:18:25 GMT -5
Yup, there are people who will complain about anything and everything. But I'd rather have $25 in cash than some POS advertising gift that an employer thinks I should be grateful for. What a crap thing to do to employees.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2015 11:30:43 GMT -5
My previous employer with the boozy bacchanalia also gave us each a check that was carefully grossed up so the take-home amount was $100. Nice.
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