Has anyone else ran their workplace social fund? Do you have a standard gift amount?

[TiggerMother]

I stupidly agreed to be in the social group, without realising that that seemed to mean running it.

We currently pass around an envelope for big birthdays, engagements, weddings and babies, and people put in what they like.

A previous workplace used to collect £5 a month and then any gifts were taken from that, so that everyone got an equal gift. I prefer that, but not sure what the consensus is.

Sorry OP but I wouldn't be happy to pay £60 a year for gifts for work colleagues

One previous work place collected £1 a person a year for gifts. That was reasonable. More is not. Or you do the donate as you see fit per gift version.

I wouldn’t pay £5 a month! Already married, done with babies, plan to leave before next big birthday.
And I contribute more for people that I like

We’ve never done birthdays, engagements, etc. Maybe weddings, babies and definitely leaving gift but it’s individual. You’re told who it’s for and you PayPal what you’d like. Some people I don’t give anything because I have no idea who they are! Close colleagues I’d give generously. Personally I wouldn’t want a big pot and that’s quite a lot of money for some people.

One previous work place collected £1 a person a year for gifts

You can't have got much of a gift for that. There's usually 4 or 5 big events a year, and around 35 people in total.

Paypal would be much easier- I must investigate that.

Ours gives a fund each month for social outings, and buys birthday gifts and cakes for birthdays. I'm feeling well looked after now.

Can you approach your company and ask if they'd fund something?

I worked somewhere where there was a fund and it worked well you got a set amount t when you left. Colleagues still bought me leaving presents though! It was debited from your salary. I think it was £2 a month.