Office colleague not contributing

[BlueVixen]

AIBU in thinking the one person in our small office who didn't contribute towards a box of chocolates and a card for the cleaner shouldn't sign the birthday card. I suggested it in the office today and immediately two colleagues thought it was a good idea an put £2 in the 'pot'. Ended up with £8 (including my contribution). Enough to by a box of chocolates, a card and some wrapping paper. Showing a bit of appreciation. The cleaner is lovely. She cleans a whole building, not just our space, and is cheerful and personable and works hard. The colleague who didn't stump up £2 is not hard up. She and I are both pretty new in the office. She left the office whilst we were talking about it. I'm not sure what to do. Small problem - in the scheme of things but ........

In the companies I've worked for it's usual for the line manager or boss to buy the presents and the contributions from other staff are just that, contributions

That wouldn’t work in many companies or organisations though.

@BlueVixen

Battie. We are an office of only 6 and really only do birthdays so don't think 'donation fatigue' is a problem.

OP, you say that you and she are new to this office. Maybe she is afraid that things will get out of hand and she will be asked to contribute to a co-worker's child's 18th as another poster has said. I think she is wise to start as she means to go on.

I hate office collections! She doesn't want to contribute, you don't really know her circumstances and she doesn't have to tell you! Grow up and worry about things that matter.

"Apologies if I’ve missed something, OP, but I can’t see in any of your posts where the card fits in to this. You say you were talking about the collection and this colleague left the room… does she even know there’s a card? Are you sure she’s even interested in signing it - or have you just decided that she won’t be?"

Yes, the question of whether or not the coworker even wants to sign the card has not been answered.

When I left my last place There was no collection for me. I was off when I handed in my resignation.
The bully who took the card away because I hadn't contributed messaged me to let me know they weren't arranging a collection for me. Messaged her back saying awesome I don't have to graciously accept the crap you buy that is useless to the recipient.

Those that had wanted to had privately send messages, cards etc just like I did. Not to seem superior or anything, just we are adults and don't have to like everyone. In any other situation outside friendship groups, we wouldn't routinely waste money on people we don't like, and if you are ask yourself why.

@EmpressSuiko

I think this is incredibly trivial. Contributions like this aren’t a requirement and I wouldn’t be so petty to not stop someone from signing a card because of this.

Agreed....

BUT, I've worked in many large offices over the years... And there is ALWAYS one... Often the most senior... Who just avoids the envelope /always moans they have no change/ will do it later etc etc ad nauseum.

And they just get away with signing a card (as no one was that petty etc etc) and meanwhile everyone else stumps up for the present... . Nice...

When I was first working I was on a low wage.
Just about every week at work someone was leaving/getting married/retiring/engaged etc etc.

I never gave to any gift and never signed any cards ( I never went to any leaving parties either)
Simple.

She's probably not in the least bit fussed about signing the card, if she didn't want to contribute. Your putting a lot of thought into this OP, when she's probably forgotten about it as soon as she came back in the room.

When I became a manager I found that the outgoing manager had organized lavish christmas presents for the cleaners. The cleaners were on a higher hourly wage that two of the most junior team members and I knew they could not afford such an amount. We were all employed by the same organization. So for one group of staff to be presenting gifts to another group did appear to be somewhat patronising. I put a stop to all the collections - with the single exception that someone was hospitalized or suffered a very serious illness/accident.

People choose to leave, marry, have babies etc. They do not choose to have some disaster overtake them and thats when they need a gesture of support from their colleagues.