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Annual Secret Santa fest could lead to court, firm warns

17 December 2010 | By Margaret Taylor

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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.

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Readers' comments (22)

  • Humbug | 17-Dec-2010 2:42 pm

    Thanks.

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  • Anonymous | 17-Dec-2010 2:43 pm

    “Don’t give..... male colleagues tool kits or female workers kitchenalia.”

    ......unless they may have written to Santa to ask for them. And by the way some people love frilly knickers and there shouldn't be any blatant discrimination towards them.

    Be Merry for goodness sake!

    It must be bleak 'up North'.....

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  • Neil Ireland | 17-Dec-2010 3:00 pm

    As an Aston Villa fan, I was once given a Birmingham City Calendar. How much more offensive could someone be!! However, I have a life and so was able to have a laugh with my wonderful colleagues. Would have preferred a tool kit or certainly some alcohol!

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  • Deirdre Dare | 17-Dec-2010 3:00 pm

    I got some frilly knickers from my Secret Santa last year...

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  • Anonymous | 17-Dec-2010 3:03 pm

    I seem to remember the same press release being issued by the firm this time last year!

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  • City Gent | 17-Dec-2010 3:09 pm

    Groan, these dismal PR exercises are as predictable and as welcome as indigestion after Christmas dinner or a gruesome hangover after the staff party.

    Please spare us from any more of this garbage.

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  • Bexter | 17-Dec-2010 3:23 pm

    Seriously? This so-called Politically Correct Crap is getting beyond a joke - long live the sense of humor cos lets face it - it's the only thing gonna get us through our time in this mad world we live in!!!

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  • James | 17-Dec-2010 3:31 pm

    I have a set of Dilbert post-it notes that I would like to swap for a 1l bottle of London Gin and/or a spanner - any takers?

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  • Anonymous | 17-Dec-2010 3:48 pm

    It always surprises me how firms hope for good publicity out of issuing press statements that make them look politically correct misery guts.

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  • Anonymous | 17-Dec-2010 4:02 pm

    Deirdre Dare - I'd offer to swop my cream covered chocolate willy for your frilly knickers but for the fact that you'd sue me for £3.5m for harassment.

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