Flowers for HR?
Hey WSO,
I hope you’re well! We have a dilemma pertaining to etiquette and showing appreciation.
I have a female friend who had difficulty breaking into IB. However, on LinkedIn, she connected with someone who works in HR at a top tier bank. They apparently hit it off and HR was very helpful in my friend getting an interview (she eventually got an offer too).
She’s wondering whether it’s appropriate to send flowers to the HR person who helped her. My friend really wants to show appreciation but she’s concerned that such a public display might imply that their connection was nepotistic, which isn’t the case. She's also concerned that it could be perceived as overboard and/or awkward, maybe even a little too "tryhardy". Both of them are women so a romantic misunderstanding isn’t an issue.
My friend asked me about it and I didn’t really have a good answer so I thought I’d pitch it to the brilliant minds of WSO. What do y’all think? Any alternative suggestions?
Thanks
Just send them an appreciation card with a nice note
I think flowers are really nice! Too many people are afraid of being extra or weird but in my experience, those gestures go over as special and memorable. Especially if it’s heartfelt! Who’s going to turn down sincere positivity…
Thanks for the advice! How do you think she should go about it? Should she just have them delivered to the office? Or should she just leave them at HR's desk? She doesn't want to draw too much attention.
I see you're in IB as well. Personally, if someone you helped wanted to show appreciation, how would you want them to?
Great username! What's your favorite Kirkland Signature product? I like their cashews and undershirts.
Sure thing, I second what the VP and Associate 3 suggested below -- 50 buck range with a card from a local florist is perfect, delivered personally or via a service. Congrats to your friend!
I mess with their clothing essentials as well and you can't go wrong with any of the sweets. Especially the ice cream/brownies/chocolate covered almonds
For the record, 100% agree with you.
Congrats to your friend. It’s a very kind gesture to show appreciation, she’s very thoughtful and likely great at building relationships. Flower and a nice card is fine, although if she didn’t want to draw too much attention I’d opt for a card and maybe a box of nice chocolates. Would keep it well under $100, ideally closer to $50. Too much more will draw unwanted attention. Otherwise not much of a protocol here. There’s nothing wrong with saying thank you for helping me in a thoughtful way.
Thank you! Y'all have been very helpful!
I asked this to kirklandsignature above, but how would you like to be shown appreciation if you were in HR's position?
Np, either delivering by herself or having it delivered is fine. I’m sure her colleague will appreciate it.
I think flowers are a very nice gesture, especially woman to woman - would probably avoid if any opposite sexes were involved.
Spend around $50 (tip: find a local florist and not a 1-800-flowers type place), send them to her office with Attn: Name, HR department, and include a nice, short note as a thank you. Nice idea.
Second the above! Flowers are nice, especially if there is no intimate relationship understanding!
I wouldn't even bother.
HR helped you, which is their job.
Keep it transactional.
Agree. They didn’t help you. They just did their job. Once you join you can ask the HR person out for coffee/lunch and express your appreciation in person. It will be less weird and equally effective than a gift.
1 - Wait until you actually start
2 - Keep it less than $30. Thats a common threshold for gifts that is set by most internal audit departments for any sort of impropriety/gift reporting requirements.
Thanks. God speed on your journey to being an MD!
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