GORTcoaching

BERLIN – November 13, 2026 -- Employee criticism of a company Christmas gift can point to wider dissatisfaction at work, according to occupational psychologist Tosca Gort, founder of GORTcoaching. She made the comment in interviews conducted by Loopper, a gifting provider whose customers are employers.

Gort says strong frustration over a gift probably means something else is wrong, such as pay, job tasks, colleagues or commuting time. Nicol Tadema, a speaker and author on employee satisfaction, makes a similar point. She says a cheaper, personal gift can leave a stronger impression than a large or luxurious one. A big December gift after a year of little recognition "will not go down well", she says.