If you don’t contribute to the collection you shouldn’t sign the card

And sometimes people didn’t want to have their own birthdays marked so we were discreet before getting a card etc.

THANK YOU! I can't bear to be reminded of my birthday and especially any age-milestone; fortunately it doesn't happen at my workplace, but I've had unwanted birthday reminders from banks and businesses that had my date of birth for ID.

The best birthday present from work colleagues is being pleasant to work with. No toxic or annoying things, being on time,for example.

we cut right back at my instigation when I was managing a team.
special birthdays, weddings etc. not general birthdays. And sometimes people didn’t want to have their own birthdays marked so we were discreet before getting a card etc.
I’d send an envelope round with a few pound coins in along with a card. People add their name and tick the money envelope once they have signed/donated so they don’t get asked again. Everyone could sign the card and I’d specify a pound or two was plenty for a gift - but only if they wanted to contribute. The initial pound coins were available as change but also to demonstrate it wasn’t just notes that were in the collection. If requested I would accept online donations.
£10-20 is fine for a work gift - flowers, wine, chocolate type gifts. In fact I think some people preferred it especially if someone that actually knew them chose flowers or a small gift that they would genuinely like.

Tbh I used to chuck £2 or a fiver into every collection that went round but now we live in the electronic age where less than a fiver or in some cases a tenner looks stingy I’m more selective about what I contribute to I do always sign a card if ones goes around though

Yabu.

Total tight arse

Some people might want to sign a group card but give them a personal gift themselves.

Separate cards - one for those who just want to send good wishes, and one to go with the gift signed by those who've contributed.

absolutely you can sign a card without donating. imo

I would advise arranging an envelope and ask for cash. You might find more people are willing to do that.

Of course you shouldn't sign the card if you haven't contributed. It's mean of spirit and cheap. However, some good points have been made about cash and feeling awkward about transfer money to a colleague. This is a situation where the brown envelope days were better.

In your case, I would re-send a note 'reminding' colleagues that despite 30 people signing the card ONLY 5 people have transferred money towards the gift. Perhaps suggest a sum of 2.50 which would add on another 62.50. This will weed out the people who have genuinely forgotten. You mention that you were asked to start the collection, if it was your Boss get them to send the email.

Good luck OP

I was amused. It was my favourite bit.

people donate cash and if they want to donate online they ask the question
let people sign without donating.

Put a gift card with the gift and write everyone's names on who contributed

YANBU.

This

Well, it's peed me off, I have to say.
I work in a school.
We have about six leaving.
If all gave a quid each, so £6 total (we are in double-figures teaching and support staff) then all six would get a decent amount.
Instead, people are signing and giving fuck all.

A colleague I am collecting for, four of us who are on paltry support staff wages have each given quite a lot as this colleague has done so damned much and means a lot to us...but higher paid colleagues have not put in at all. It does irk me as it just feels tight. Cost of living yes, but you cannot spare a quid when those on half your salary are subsidising it. Never again.

When I’ve got a card at work (leaving/big birthday/engaged), the card has been my favourite gift because I feel surprised how many people make the effort to sign and it makes me feel warm/proud. I know they won’t have put into a collection but that I left any sort of impression on someone that I only speak to occasionally is lovely.

If people have to chip in to sign, you’d lose that.

I love ALL pens. My Dad swears by the bicycle biro, will only use a BIC

I really dislike the idea of being forced to give money for a colleague's special occasion.

Everyone has different amounts of disposable incomes and it's inconsiderate to not allow people to sign a card if they can't afford to donate.

Taking away messages isn't really solving an issue, it's actually taking nice things (messages) away from the person who is having the occasion and penalizing those in worse financial situations.

Whenever I have received a card I have been very happy with all the messages and I assume only a small portion of people have contributed.

Maybe there are two groups in general, people valuing the card more (and seeing a gift as an add on) and people valuing the gift more and seeing the card as an accompanying document.

I am in the first group. Not signing would be weird and petty, but I don't really care about the gift

Ha Ha.
Why would the recipient want to ?

When I left my last job, the value of what I was given made it apparent most (if not everyone) had contributed. I didn't want to know if Jane or Bob weren't able to contribute the month the collection was. Why would anyone want to know that ?

If it is a case that only 4 people out of 30 want to contribute,

*The value of the gift will make it clear that not everyone contributed and the five that paid can feel good about themselves in the knowledge that they were the more generous people. If any of these people want to be recognised for their generosity then perhaps they should give gifts individually?

Then perhaps this ^ would be the way forward.

You wouldn't like me as a work colleague OP. I sign cards but hardly ever donate money.

No. I think you don’t know other’s financial situation and limiting names on a card isn’t necessary. It makes the card seem emptier/ colleague less appreciated and doesn’t incur further costs letting them sign it.

I don't understand why anyone would want to sign a card for a special occasion / leaving & not contribute.
Some how or other I ended being the one at my last job, who would organise these collections. I used to buy a card & then ask people to contribute & sign if they wanted & then hand on to next person.
As it thought it would remove any awkwardness of me going to each person.
I stopped that way when times, I got back envelopes with loads of signatures & hardly any money. Both times I opted to put in extra myself so a half decent present / gift voucher could be bought.
Despite this, people would still be looking for a card to bought so they could contribute 🙄
The problem in our office was and maybe what's happening in yours, is that there are much people who are happy to just sign, assuming that most others will contribute. So not possible to do collections then.
I ended up just buying something small for my friends from myself. Though was funny when a person who I know never contributed but always signed, was put out when no collection was organised for him.
I do think that most people who don't contribute or sign, would prefer if there was no group collections/ cards.