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10/31/2008 22:39:39
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Subject: Handling Holiday Graft
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Owen Ahearn
Joined: 10/29/2008 19:29:04
Messages: 64
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How do your organizations handle holiday graft for employees? Do you allow them to accept it? Do you make them return it? Do you have limits on what is allowed?
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11/06/2008 01:46:51
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Sean Plotkin
Joined: 10/29/2008 01:10:31
Messages: 12
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What is holiday graft? Has anyone noticed a greater amount of 30 day notices around the holiday season of Oct, Nov, Dec? What causes this? I usually get around 5% more vacancies during these months in Long Beach, Ca.
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11/13/2008 14:36:46
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Owen Ahearn
Joined: 10/29/2008 19:29:04
Messages: 64
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Holiday graft would be management or maintenance receiving financial awards or gifts from generous tenants. We strongly oppose our staff receiving anything from residents and ask that they thank the resident for their thoughts, but inform them that they cannot accept gifts.
Sometimes we notice higher 30 Day Notices during November, December and January because residents focus on gifts and giving, rather then rents.
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11/14/2008 15:58:02
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Marjean Pountain
Joined: 09/26/2008 09:25:38
Messages: 61
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Many companies have a hard and fast rule of "no gifts" that may be construed as kickbacks. Personally I think this is a bit heavy handed, as property managers are problem solvers who often take nothing but grief and field complaints most of the year, and deserve a little recognition and appreciation for balance. I certainly wouldn't turn away a tenant who brings a plate of cookies or candy into the leasing office. Nor do I return calendars or tokens from vendors that double as advertising tools. It may offend the giver of the gift to simply refuse the gift rather than find an acceptable alternative that is fair.
Gifts of significant size, however are inappropriate and should be refused, or pooled to benefit the entire staff. For example, if a cash gift is received, it should be reported to the supervisor, and a pool of such gifts created like a sunshine fund which then funds a pizza party or such of which the entire staff shares the enjoyment.
If a large gift item is received, there should be a raffle or drawing whereby the recepient is a staff member who otherwise might not be subject to receiving such a reward.
Whatever the company policy, it should be in writing, in the employee handbook, and understood by all.
And most important of all, make sure that the gift giver receives a prompt, heart-felt, written thank you note!
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11/18/2008 17:20:45
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Jesse Holland
Joined: 10/28/2008 19:54:22
Messages: 38
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We limit gifts to $25 or under. food needs to be shared with corporate staff whever possible 
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11/27/2008 20:37:06
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Donald Cheng
Joined: 11/27/2008 19:45:16
Messages: 16
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hmmn, what we consider graft here is considered business practice in other countries. I have always felt that harder working employees should be rewarded with bonuses at the end of the year. However, I have yet to figure out a way to control the process of clients rewarding the employees directly. However, when I do, I will definitely post it. Ciao ! 
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12/02/2008 12:05:14
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Lori Burger
Joined: 09/15/2008 19:57:58
Messages: 75
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We encourage all of the employees to share the gifts that they receive with the entire office staff. Food items are all brought to the kitchen so they can be shared. Gifts of wine or food baskets are saved til an employee party is held. Then all of these items are unwrapped and placed under the xmas tree. We ask each person in the office to pick a number out of the hat, the lowest number goes first and we take turns, each person picking an item. In the end, everyone goes home with a little something even the mail clerk who would rarely ever receive a gift from a client.
We have a corporate policy in place on what an employee may receive. This helps but I can tell you that I know for certain its not 100% followed. When I hear about it...I will address it with the employee if it is not in keeping with our corporate policy.
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04/16/2009 11:52:02
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Allan Watkins
Joined: 01/05/2009 12:51:20
Messages: 35
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We are allowed to accept good faith gifts and are generally limited to no more than $25.00 value. It is better to accept as gift then to be rude and not accept. Most of our tenants could careless about our gift policy and be very insistent about sharing the holiday spirit. When this occurs, we will accept the gift and give it to the entire staff to enjoy if possible. We have had gifts for very expensive tickets to games and rather than one person accept it, we would allow (ex: 4 tickets) to have a raffle and allow an employee and guest attend.
Unethical behaviors stem much deeper than normally acceptable gifts. It is in the mannerism and intent in which they are given is what makes the difference between an ethical or unethical matter.
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11/17/2009 15:58:34
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Sheldon Erb
Joined: 11/15/2009 21:48:06
Messages: 3
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In our area (NYC metro) it is quite common for residents to give a little something back to the employees. We have a policy in our office that any resident or vendor trying to offer money or gifts will be told "no" 3 times and then we'll accept it. The money and gifts will be divided out equally amongst the team, preferably for a pizza party something that can be shared with the team.
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05/02/2010 20:52:46
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Eric Orsbon
Joined: 04/02/2010 10:23:32
Messages: 13
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I think that anything of moderate value shared among all staff is typically ok. For items that no one would think you are doing business with a particular vendor just because of it.
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10/27/2010 22:09:14
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Bonnie Delorie
Joined: 10/27/2010 20:58:30
Messages: 1
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This is a very difficult situation for me. I work at senior property and they love giving gifts during the holidays. I have tried to explain that it is very thoughful, however, it is our policy not to accept gifts. Then I started finding gifts and cards without names on them. They would just say something like...your loving resident. Some cards had money in them. I did notify the residents that the annonomous cards with money in them, we would donate the money to the local fire and rescue station. This year I am going to try asking them instead of gifts, maybe we could have an appreciation lunch or something similar. Wish me Luck and I am open for suggestions!
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11/02/2010 21:20:27
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Lori Burger
Joined: 09/15/2008 19:57:58
Messages: 75
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Hi Bonnie. Not sure of the size of your property. What we do in our office is...everything is shared. All of the edibles are placed in the kitchen for sharing. Gifts are saved til near Christmas. Right before Christmas we do a drawing. Highest number picks first...then one by one the gifts are distributed. Big baskets are divided up into individual items. Some of the items are used for the employee party, etc.
If you are the only staff person, well that makes it more challenging. You had a good idea about maybe trying to do a party or something. We do a big thanksgiving party at one property. The residents all chip in and its a pot luck. Maybe if the folks concentrated on this..it might help.
Hope the idea helps.
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06/30/2011 09:46:34
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Marjean Pountain
Joined: 09/20/2008 21:29:07
Messages: 18
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The "all" or "nothing" policies seem extreme to me. I think common sense approach works best. And the context in which the gift is given. If favors are expected, even a cup of coffee is too much. But if there is a good working relationship, friendship, and honest competitive bidding and pricing going on there is nothing wrong with sharing the good cheer, especially at holidays, as anything that brings a smile and warm feeling is good in the tough ecomonic world we live in.
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10/06/2011 08:53:04
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Subject: Re:Handling Holiday Graft
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Jeffrey Laass
Joined: 09/15/2008 14:00:58
Messages: 9
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Some companies share the food bounty and others allow the managers to choose what to do with the food gifts. Most companies have a limit on the amount of a cash gift.
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