It may sound like an effective way of spreading Christmas cheer in workplaces, but employers have been warned that having a Secret Santa could lead to unnecessary offence with one in 10 employees deeming it 'highly inappropriate'.

HR and Training Consultancy Jaluch has advised employers to set a clear policy around Secret Santa, following a catalogue of Secret Santa blunders including staff receiving chocolate body paint and other gifts with a sexual connotation, extra strong deodorant, a bottle of wine (given to a Muslim) or an unwanted gift recycled from the year before.
 
Despite this, 73% of companies that responded to a recent Jaluch poll thought Secret Santa a great idea while only 17% believe it can cause more bad will than good and 10% deem it ‘highly inappropriate'.
 
Kathie-Louise Clarke, HR adviser at Jaluch, said: "Most people take Secret Santa in the spirit it is intended and we'd certainly encourage companies to continue the tradition.  

"However, it's essential that Secret Santa is voluntary - not everyone celebrates Christmas and for some the cost of buying an extra present can be a burden. There's also the potential to offend and what might seem a bit of light fun now could form a small part of a complex grievance later on.
 
"Part of the fun of Secret Santa is that staff all open their presents together at the Christmas party - choosing something with the potential to embarrass or offend or something that taps into a personal vulnerability could cause problems. If staff are in any doubt they should play it safe."
 
Other Secret Santa upsets include buying self-help guides, ‘how-to' books, diet vouchers, nose and ear hair trimmers and political or religious joke gifts.