Every job I've ever had in the field of Social Services has had the same rule...that we are not allowed to accept holiday gifts.
So, not only do I have the most unappreciated job in the world...but even IF someone wanted to show appreciation, we can't accept it.
Conflict of interest? Ok. I can see it in some of the fields I have worked in. Maybe accepting a gift from a Foster Parent would make you less apt to report something that they may be doing thats unethical...but right now I work with people who have a mental illness...there really is NOTHING that I can do (that I don't already) that would benefit a client.
Doctors, nurses, hairdressers, bankers, business people,Teachers, etc...can all accept gifts of thanks during the holiday season...
Teachers can accept gifts from the students, but a social worker cant? WTF!?
We got an e-mail this year stating the gift policy, which stated that 'No gifts are acceptable, except those of no monetary value such as cookies or candy, and THOSE gifts need to be reported, and given permission to keep'
so, when I got a box of your generic chocolate, I e-mailed my boss stating so, and asked if I was allowed to keep it. She replied no.
I think its bullshit. It's not even the chocolate.. I don't even care about that...its the principal.
Do you think this is fair?
Started by
nikkiblue
, Dec 28 2011 04:12 AM
24 replies to this topic
My favorite boss DOES suck. lol. 
#10
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- VibeTribe
- 9,726 posts
Posted 28 December 2011 - 04:21 AM
The worst part about this, is that I have to hand the box back... telling the person who has Major Depressive Disorder... That I can't accept their gift.
How in the world does that benefit them?
Exchange the chocolate for Exlax.... They will forget about their Depression for a day...
#14
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- VibeTribe
- 4,023 posts
Posted 28 December 2011 - 05:47 AM
mmmm.... i dont know if there is an official law or anything but on the last day of clinicals we actually had a convo about not accepting gifts. i would feel weird anyway.... accepting a gift. its about the patient, not me.
i do think there should be a loophole for small gifts tho. maybe those valued under $15 or something? bc i do think its more hurtful like you said to have tell someone you cant take a gift, i imagine that person would have been tickled to give it to you.
they did actually pass a law in some state recently.. alabama i think? that said teachers couldnt accept gifts. what a way to crush a child!
i do think there should be a loophole for small gifts tho. maybe those valued under $15 or something? bc i do think its more hurtful like you said to have tell someone you cant take a gift, i imagine that person would have been tickled to give it to you.
they did actually pass a law in some state recently.. alabama i think? that said teachers couldnt accept gifts. what a way to crush a child!
#16
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- VibeTribe
- 8,043 posts
- Locationthe Island
Posted 28 December 2011 - 01:03 PM
Every job I've ever had in the field of Social Services has had the same rule...that we are not allowed to accept holiday gifts.
So, not only do I have the most unappreciated job in the world...but even IF someone wanted to show appreciation, we can't accept it.
Conflict of interest? Ok. I can see it in some of the fields I have worked in. Maybe accepting a gift from a Foster Parent would make you less apt to report something that they may be doing thats unethical...but right now I work with people who have a mental illness...there really is NOTHING that I can do (that I don't already) that would benefit a client.
Doctors, nurses, hairdressers, bankers, business people,Teachers, etc...can all accept gifts of thanks during the holiday season...
Teachers can accept gifts from the students, but a social worker cant? WTF!?
We got an e-mail this year stating the gift policy, which stated that 'No gifts are acceptable, except those of no monetary value such as cookies or candy, and THOSE gifts need to be reported, and given permission to keep'
so, when I got a box of your generic chocolate, I e-mailed my boss stating so, and asked if I was allowed to keep it. She replied no.
I think its bullshit. It's not even the chocolate.. I don't even care about that...its the principal.
Well I for one can see their pov...I can certainly see how a 10 to 20 dollar gift could sway a person to not report that a foster parent thinks their kids are spawned of satan and should be burned with assorted hot objects to keep satan at bay!!!
Good call:thumbsup:
#19
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- VibeTribe
- 2,304 posts
Posted 28 December 2011 - 01:40 PM
Hairdressers, maybe, but these days, ethics concerns have all but eliminated the ability of professionals to receive anything but token gifts. This is especially true concerning public school teachers. Heck, Alabama has actually criminalized (including potential jail time) teachers who accept gifts. More "zero-tolerance" overkill in our litigious society.Doctors, nurses, hairdressers, bankers, business people,Teachers, etc...can all accept gifts of thanks during the holiday season
#20
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- VibeTribe
- 8,043 posts
- Locationthe Island
Posted 28 December 2011 - 01:46 PM
It's bullshit...either management was told they can't accept their higher in value type gifts so you can't have a 10 dollar gift of appreciation or you are the folks having to bare the burden of the polic so management can keep collecting their kickback valued gifts.
#22
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- VibeTribe
- 2,087 posts
He saw the spinning lights he knew it was a sign....
Posted 28 December 2011 - 01:57 PM
At least your in a profession where someone bothers to try to give you a gift. There are many jobs that people don't bother to give anything. I never once in 15 years of retail had a regular customer give me a holiday gift or card. Or, everybody gives something to their mailman, but how many people remember their garbage man?
#24
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- VibeTribe
- 72,042 posts
- LocationLong Island, NY
Posted 28 December 2011 - 02:10 PM
Fair is short for fairy tale.
In this case, I'd give the chocolates to the boss and say you don't want to invalidate the good feeling giving the gift gave the giver by returning it, pointing out that receiving a gift gives you a chance to model appropriate behavior by sending a thank you card.
My stepmother got the CNAs at rehab gifts when my dad was discharged. Policy is to not accept gifts, but because they weren't new cars, or anything, the lead person on the floor accepted hers, and the others followed suit, the logic being that to not accept it might embarrass the giver. With any luck, we'll never see the folks there again. I don't know if that you see the person regularly changes how that sort of thing gets handled, but, to me, what they did made sense.
In this case, I'd give the chocolates to the boss and say you don't want to invalidate the good feeling giving the gift gave the giver by returning it, pointing out that receiving a gift gives you a chance to model appropriate behavior by sending a thank you card.
My stepmother got the CNAs at rehab gifts when my dad was discharged. Policy is to not accept gifts, but because they weren't new cars, or anything, the lead person on the floor accepted hers, and the others followed suit, the logic being that to not accept it might embarrass the giver. With any luck, we'll never see the folks there again. I don't know if that you see the person regularly changes how that sort of thing gets handled, but, to me, what they did made sense.
