Collections at work

[BlackSticks]

Not a big deal, I'm just interested in the opinions people have on this.

How do you feel about collections in the work place for birthdays/people who are leaving? Do you always give no matter what? Do you not give? If the collection is for a person you don't get along with would you give?

Our company banned office-wide collections so now we just circulate cards but sometimes small groups e.g. the person's immediate team or group of friends might get a gift for something like a wedding, new baby or retirement. We don't tend to do anything for birthdays other than maybe decorate their desk with balloons etc if it's a big milestone one.

@BlackSticks I only give to those I know or have some kind of a relationship with. There’s some folk I have never spoke to and vice versa so wouldn’t put in for them. If there’s a death however, I always do x

Our company banned collections, too, but groups of friends do exchange small gifts, make smartshow 3d videos for weddings and Birthdays, etc. In the company I worked before it was almost an obligatory thing to do even though no one actually stated that. You'd just be really frowned upon if you didn't give any money.

Depends on the who it's for, not for someone I don't know or don't get along with. Our work collections are very much optional though there's never any pressure to contribute.

I give for those I'm close to. I have a department of 240! there are birthdays / weddings / retirements all the time.

There is zero pressure.

The company sends general flowers for bereavements.

I have always considered such collections a racket with moral pressure being often put upon people to contribute when they do not want or cannot afford to. It is people's choice to get engaged/married/have babies and they should not expect others in the workplace to sub them out. I always refused myself.

As a manager I banned them among my staff. If people wished to buy individual gifts for a co-worker I could not prevent that of course.

I once organised a collection for a junior team member who had been mugged of her entire weeks wages at lunchtime but I consider that an exceptional circumstance where most co workers would naturally want to chip in.