Is it okay to take free swag from the office?

Question

Sometimes some outside companies come to my company to discuss whatever they discuss, and they have huge meetings with lots of swag. As someone who works close to the team that handles these, there is often plenty of leftover swag from the meetings, such as merchandise (t-shirts, water bottles, keychains, lanyards, etc), food, drinks, etc.

The other day I brought a few t-shirts and water bottles back to my family, since it had been nearly 1 week since the meeting with the company was held, but my wife told me it'd be a bad idea to take them, since it would look bad on my part. I had asked my managers before whether or not it was okay to take one (as they handled the meeting) and they said it would be fine.

So I'm not too sure on this. Is it acceptable to take free swag from the office? Is it better to be modest and not take anything?

Answer 1

So I'm not too sure on this. Is it acceptable to take free swag from the office? Is it better to be modest and not take anything?

Make sure you check your company policies.

Some companies have very specific policies related to gifts. Smaller companies are more likely to be looser but larger companies may have very specific policies related to receiving free gifts. These may be instituted to avoid bribery/conflicts of interest.

At my company, I would likely not be allowed to receive any of these gifts from outside vendors. We have a relatively low limit on the dollar value of the gifts. Recently someone from an outside company went out for lunch with myself and some coworkers - we are not allowed for them to buy us lunch, for example.

I suggest a conversation with your boss like "hey boss, does Acme Co have a policy regarding gifts? If no one wants these leftovers I'd love to give them to my kids."

You'll get your answer pretty quickly and also make sure your boss at least knows about why you are taking all the free stuff. Both are good.

You could potentially also start a "for the family" pile for others to also do this, then you won't come across as hoarding it all.

Answer 2

If your managers approved, then it should be fine with the following caveats:

1) If you give (or are perceived to give) favorable treatment to the companies who provide the swag, that could be construed as bribery

2) Many companies have an upper limit on the value of merchandise that can be accepted by employees to avoid the perception of impropriety.

Answer 3

It's always better to make a point of asking for permission to take, if in doubt. If I wanted to take more than one, I'll put on my cheesiest smile and ask point-blank "is it OK if I scavenge a few so that I don't look like a cheapskate(*) to friends and family? :)" And make it clear through body language and whatnot that you'll graciously "no" for an answer. In summary, you're not afraid to ask, you're not afraid to take "no" for an answer and you'll say "thank you" either way. It's really not complicated.

Even if the company policy allows you to take it, it always looks better to make a show of courtesy and restraint and ask ... and start looting the town the minute they say "yes" :

(*) friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances all know I am a cheapskate - I just don't want to look like one :)

Answer 4

You ask "is it ok", which implies ethical considerations.

What you really mean, I think, is "will people look down on me for this", probably in the sense of "being cheap". That depends on the culture of your office, primarily.

Are other people in your office taking stuff home? If so, as long as you're not taking shopping carts of it off, you should be ok.

If people aren't taking it, then ask your manager if he/she minds if you take what ever you plan to take. You indicate you asked about "one tshirt", but you appear to have brought enough for the family. If you're going to bring 3 t-shirts and 2 water bottles back, ask if it is ok to bring 3 t-shirts and 2 water bottles back. Don't ask for "one" and take "many".

If you were only taking one piece, then I don't think you'd even need to ask a manager (but it would be a good idea to do so).

At the end of the day, asking your managers if you can take many t-shirts and water bottles might come across as being a bit cheap, but this is only in my opinion. Note that if many other non-swag related people are taking arm loads of swag back, then I don't think it is an issue at all (because everybody is going to appear cheap).

However, I think your wife might be onto something here. It's not about modesty and ethics and whatnot, it's about the image you're projecting in the office, and how that bears on you. I don't think appearing cheap is a good look.