Isn't this a "sort of" gift?

It's certainly a 'gift with strings', however, unless it was made clear when it was given that it was actually company property and hers to use only, I would assume that the IT department (or the company) would have 'written off' the purchase and that it was hers to keep, whether she stayed with the company or not. I assume (and hope) that there is little chance of that happening, in fact. Usually, if a company supplies equipment for personal use as well as business use, it is made clear whether it's still company property or not. Don't forget, however, that the actual cost of the iPhone is often very little (most of the cost is covered by the contract). If the company are paying for the contract, it is likely to be that (not the phone itself) which belongs to the company. Usually a contract is for 2 years and, once that time is up, the phone is 'free' (and so could be assumed to be hers to keep whatever). In two years' time, however, that phone will be an 'old' piece of equipment, superseded, perhaps by the iPhone 7, or something (though still a useful phone, hopefully!) I do agree with her that the exchange of gifts seems a little unfair. She has spent the best part of $100 while all he's really given her was a box of chocolates. We try to get round this kind of situation by repeating "it's the thought that counts [not the money]" but even this is somehow not satisfactory. Perhaps it's just best to say "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!" and leave it at that. Sometimes (indeed, very often) gifts from bosses don't really hit the mark. It may be that he hasn't really got the 'gift-giving' mentality. I wonder what he bought his wife and son? No doubt, they were very expensive but I wonder how much thought went into those gifts, after all?

Hmm..I'm not sure how I would react. Sounds like he is not expecting her to leave anytime soon though. I think I might feel a little uncomfortable with the gift if he had personally bought it though. I think that in a way it would maintain a professional relationship by making it "company" bought. I am an outsider looking in and I am not familiar with their relationship, but it would be odd if he had gifted her something like that on a personal level. Sounds like he was trying to gift her something nice while maintaining a professional relationship. One must be very careful about such things if they are in management.

I would think that my boss is a cheapskate and takes me for granted if I were her.

Consider the chocolates the gift and the iPhone just a new work gaget to make thing easier for him. That way she won't feel badly leaving it behind if she leaves. Companies that I worked for always had very strict money limits for interoffice gifts, maybe this company also has that? Blessings

Woah!!! Some gift!!! I think there should be transparency and this is expected especially so for those who holds a high position in the company. you are right.. it is indeed a company expense. if there were official documents that you have signed, that would make it a legitimate company property all the more. If your sister didnt sign anything, then that makes it a gift and that wont really be qualified as company property. She shouldnt be asked to surrender the phone when she resigns.

I will prefer this sort of a gift from the organisation to one given by the boss personally. If we take a gift given by him personally then we have to be obliged to him all along. Now she is responsible to the company only and that is good. When she leave the company let them take it and she can get another one if required or she may get a better one in the next company.,