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

Definitely better to receive more messages on a card, at our place everyone signs, only donates (cash) if you want to, I do if i knew/liked the person! As the organizer you can tell the colleague who paid for their present (if you want).

I recently did a collection for my colleague who was retiring. I got over a £100 in contributions so there was more than enough to buy nice gifts.

I sent round the card and some people got arsey with me because I ‘allowed’ people who didn’t contribute to still sign the card.

I think it’s petty to think that way and some people might not know the person a lot or might not be able to afford it - they can still give their good wishes.

My colleague had a lovely full card with lots of messages which made her happy.

Agree with others, you should have done one of the workplace online contribution platforms - much more transparent and easier as you can pay by card rather than have to log into online banking etc.

I wouldn’t just be transferring money to your bank account.

A card with 30 signatures on it is better than one with 15 on it.

I have cards from workplaces that I’ve kept for years because some of the messages were so lovely. I think they might have come with some chocolates or a pot plant that I quickly killed off, one came with a teapot that went straight to the charity shop. I definitely don’t think of a card as a register of donors, but as a way for people to share a message.

I’m 53 and have never heard this! But I’ve also never worked anywhere where it’s involved transferring money into a colleague’s private bank account.

It’s well known and accepted that you don’t sign the card unless you’ve contributed to the gift. Doesn’t matter if you’ve contributed a little or a lot. If you want to do your own thing then you get your own card. I’m 54 and worked in a few.l places and this is standard practice.

I think that anyone should be able to sign the card.
Nor everyone can afford to or wants to give. Back in the day a card and envelope was circulated, you didn't know who put in and who didn't

I don't think it's up to you to dictate who does what.

Maybe they can't afford it, you've no idea of their finances. Maybe they don't like the person, I don't know? But it's their choice.

Surely better for the person who the card is for, to have nice messages on.

If collections were in cash at our place no one would get anything!

Well I don’t really like the idea of recognising birthdays etc, if you work in a large enough team then it’s always someone’s birthday and it gets tiresome and expensive to keep being asked.

OP you say this is for a “special occasion”, that sort of thing can be particularly contentious because there isn’t always a consistent approach towards how these things are recognised, so that might be why people are not donating.

I really only like to recognise people leaving. And at my work, there are two different teams working in the same office. Normally everyone would sign a card but only people in your own team would even be asked to donate.

I’ve only been in charge of collecting once (did that through sharing bank details) and found that most people were quite generous. Economic times were different though!

All the collections always been in cash. Lock the card away so only certain colleagues (always two as then covers most hours) have access to it. So colleagues had to donate to the collection.

It was easy for working at a supermarket to buy some of the gifts there as able to use cash to pay, plus use of discount card

I’m sure the recipient would feel just great if they got a card with three well wishers names on!

There’s at least 30 people in your office/workplace. People probably get fed up with handing cash over all the time but would still like to wish a happy birthday

It depends a lot on how you described it.

Im sorting a card and gift for Elsie. If you want to participate sign the card and transfer me the money, here’s the bank details for contribution.

is very different to.

Elsie is leaving. There’s a card next to the coffee machine for anyone who wants to send best wishes. If you want to contribute to a gift here’s the info.

I think good wishes for a birthday are a gift themselves, but understand others might feel differently.

I'd be happy buying a pack of cheap birthday cards (10 for £1 at card factory or you can buy big mixed boxes) and letting anyone who wanted to sign - don't think gifts are necessary and the endless money collecting usually bugs people.

That way birthday wishes are expressed to people at very little cost - they feel happy, minimal expense, minimal resentment or hassle.

You are unreasonable for mentioning your "favourite biro", like it's amusing.

Nah.

It.would be rubbish for the recipient to receive a card with just a few signatures. I appreciated the messages in the card more than the gift usually.

It's such a prissy attitude - if all people give is well wishes, then that's fine by me.

People might want to express their congratulations/birthday wishes/sorry you’re leaving thoughts (even if that’s just by signing their name in a card) without making a financial contribution. And that’s totally okay!

I don't contribute.

Those few I am close to, I usually make a cake but our office always sends a card around to sign for each employee's birthday. Maybe 100 staff. I cannot afford £500 on people I barely know.

And I don't have time to faff around with a bank transfer.

Could the more generous person have transfers on behalf of other who wanted to use cash?

People are feeling broke, so less likely to feel generous about donating money to a colleague’s special occasion. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to send good wishes though, and the recipient is still likely to appreciate seeing all their colleagues names on their work card, so everyone should be allowed to sign.

I often sign cards without giving to the collection. Depends who it is really. Large workplace with many occasions. Not everyone gives to every collection but most sign the cards.

no, I don’t think people should only sign if willing to donate. Lots of heartfelt messages for a colleague leaving today but only 5 donations. I added £50 myself as she was one of my direct staff and has been a God-send to me. I was happy for people to sign. It can get expensive. I have around 100 people in my teams and have donated £100 this month, money for flowers for bereavements, leaving gift as above, and adoption leave. I don’t expect everyone to donate and I always sign off from the whole team.