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Red Packet Etiquette

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  1. #1

    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Posts
    10

    Red Packet Etiquette

    Single dude. Working for a major corporation in Hong Kong in a managerial role with direct subordinates. Should I give red packets to coworkers reporting to me on the o-chart?

    Not quite sure what the etiquette is with red packets. My assumption has always been that you only give them out if you're married. But recently I saw unmarried employers give them out to subordinates as well. Looking to be enlightened on how this red packet culture works in a corporate environment.


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Manchester, UK
    Posts
    7,903
    Should I give red packets to coworkers reporting to me on the o-chart?
    No!!!

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    14,484
    Quote Originally Posted by png57:
    Single dude. Working for a major corporation in Hong Kong in a managerial role with direct subordinates. Should I give red packets to coworkers reporting to me on the o-chart?

    Not quite sure what the etiquette is with red packets. My assumption has always been that you only give them out if you're married. But recently I saw unmarried employers give them out to subordinates as well. Looking to be enlightened on how this red packet culture works in a corporate environment.
    Yes

    All those directly under you.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Taiwan and HK
    Posts
    7,328

    Generally the first day back to work, boss gives out, this isn't the bonus so some smaller amount, I think was usually around 100 HKD or so, ask what other managers give out for acceptable amount at your company.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Posts
    1,685

    Yes you should.

    I do 500 for my PA, 200 for directs and 100 for those under my directs. And then two weeks of walking around with a jacket stuffed with $50 envelopes for other chance encounters.

    I'm at the generous end at my company... you can probably drop all of the above down a notch especially if it is a big team.

    The married thing was a bit awkward when I was single as quite a lot of traditional people would insist on giving me quite generous envelopes even though they were way junior. You might even break even

    aublumberg and muzzdang like this.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Sep 2018
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    香港特别行政区
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    3,384

    Work from home

    RobRoy likes this.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Shek Tong Tsui (HK Island)
    Posts
    273

    Keep an eye / ear out on what is done by the Other managerial "single" dudes, then follow it. If your boss's boss (two or more levels up) has a secretary /dept administrator who has worked at the company for more than 3 years, then ask that secretary, coz they will know what is the "tradition" at your corporation.

    Each corp has their own do's and don'ts.


  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2024
    Posts
    16

    What's the etiquette between peers? My colleague at same level gave me a red packet - do I give one back? Isn't that insulting and redundant? Or should I buy a gift instead?


  9. #9

    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    香港特别行政区
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    3,384
    Quote Originally Posted by BandT:
    What's the etiquette between peers? My colleague at same level gave me a red packet - do I give one back? Isn't that insulting and redundant? Or should I buy a gift instead?
    My direct reports gave me Laisee since they are married and I am not. It's pretty normal assuming they are married and you are not.
    shri, emx and BandT like this.