10 Employees Reveal the Worst Company Gifts They Have Ever Received
You know that moment when you unwrap a gift and have to fake a smile? Now imagine doing that at work, surrounded by coworkers who are all pretending to love their equally terrible presents. Somehow, Corporate America masters the art of the awkward gift. These ten employees shared their workplace gift disasters, and they’re so bad you’ll be grateful for whatever mediocre thing your company handed out last year.
The Misspelled Coffee Mug
Credit: Canva
A large company handed out branded coffee mugs to employees, which sounds thoughtful enough until you notice the company name was spelled wrong. To make matters worse, employees weren’t allowed to use these defective mugs at work. One recipient now treats theirs as a trophy, a permanent reminder of corporate incompetence. Those mugs were likely rejected for their original purpose and handed out to unsuspecting staff.
Movie Tickets to a Theater 800 Miles Away
Credit: pexels
Free cinema tickets sound great until you realize the nearest location in that particular chain is located 800 miles from where you actually live. One employee received two tickets that they had no way to use unless they made a cross-country road trip. The corporation probably had a bulk deal on these tickets and distributed them nationwide without confirming if everyone could redeem them.
A Single Kitchen Scrubby for Christmas
Credit: Canva
On Christmas morning at one hospital, the staff gathered to unwrap their gifts from management. Anyone who expected gift cards or holiday treats would have been disappointed to see a kitchen sponge. Management apparently purchased bulk packages, cracked them open, and gave everyone sponges in different colors.
The Dinner That Cost Employees Money
Credit: Getty Images
One employee described being invited, along with their spouse, to an upscale restaurant by their manager. He told everyone to submit the meals as company expenses and framed it as a work-sponsored outing. Employees later learned the manager never had approval, and every expense claim was denied. The same manager also offered golf outings as a reward for unpaid overtime and asked staff to log half a vacation day to cover the time.
The $25 Turkey Certificate That Wasn’t Enough
Credit: Getty Images
The holiday season arrived, and management announced that staff would receive free turkeys. Each employee received a $25 grocery store voucher that did not cover the price of a turkey. Workers later learned the company owners had a financial stake in that store. What was presented as a benefit ended up directing spending toward the owner’s side investment.
A Regifted Gift Basket With the Original Card
Credit: Canva
Opening a gift from your boss should feel nice. This employee unwrapped their gift basket, started looking through it, and found a card addressed to the boss from a client. He had received this basket, decided he didn’t want it, and passed it along without even removing the evidence.
The CEO’s Ski Vacation Letter
Credit: Getty Images
Everyone’s inbox pinged with a company-wide message from the CEO. Staff opened it expecting a bonus announcement or some words of appreciation. Instead, they received a detailed description of how he planned to celebrate Christmas with his family at a ski resort. That was it. No bonus, no thank you, no holiday wishes, just a play-by-play of the executive’s luxury getaway.
An Anniversary Book With the Wrong Name
Credit: pexels
Ten years of service deserves recognition, and this company was on the right track by giving workers a commemorative memory book. Members of staff opened it up, excited to flip through a decade of memories. Someone had misspelled their names, and nobody bothered to double-check the spelling before printing. Talk about a thoughtful idea turning into a prank-like stunt.
Denim Shirts Employees Couldn’t Wear to Work
Credit: Aflo Images
Management at a Florida call center seemed proud when they distributed long-sleeve denim shirts with the company logo. The absurd part is that their dress code prohibited denim at work. When someone asked where they could actually wear these, management listed places like barbecue restaurants and movie theaters, adding that employees should feel grateful since most companies don’t give gifts at all.
The Outdated Nintendo DS Cleaning Kit
Credit: ebay
A company party raffle raised expectations for something useful or current. When one employee’s number was called, the prize turned out to be a cleaning kit for the original Nintendo DS. By that point, Nintendo had already stopped producing the system, which made the gift obsolete. A raffle win ended up feeling more awkward than rewarding.
Vouchers for Elderly Medical Equipment
Credit: pixelshot
Every few months, employees received $5 vouchers to use at the company’s retail store. That seemed reasonable until orientation, when staff saw what the store actually sold. The shelves were filled with elderly medical equipment, including reclining chairs priced around $4,000. For young, able-bodied workers, the vouchers had no practical value and no realistic way to be used.