From the grandparent: > Long story short - many people have thought the same way as you and tried to rectify it, often with undesired results. I am obviously

From the grandparent: > Long story short - many people have thought the same way as you and tried to rectify it, often with undesired results. I am obviously not familiar with the particular situation, so I was speaking in generalities: secretaries and assistants are I daresay as a rule vastly undercompensated in comparison with their bosses (and many other professions). In those circumstances, giving some lavish one-time gift or bonus is probably the worst kind of an incentive. Overall, I think we are in agreement...as you say: > Well, yes you probably should, but you should probably think through the best way to do so before doing [showing your appreciation].