To not put money in work collection?

[Plantpot45]

Honestly there are about 2 or 3 per month with people leaving going on maternity leave retiring etc. The going rate is a tenner. If it is someone I know well and work closely with I always put money in but this current person I’ve never even met face to face. Only via messaging and on virtual meetings. I wouldn’t know her if I saw her in the street! So why everyone is putting the pressure on to contribute? Problem is most of my other colleagues do know her, and so it’s more what they will think if I don’t contribute? I’ll be honest, I also really can’t afford it at the moment so find it hard to justify to my husband who puts in the lions share of the money in our house. So Aibu?

Very unfair on people to put social pressure on them like that

there was mention that the low amount of contributions may be a reflection of how sick people are of donating money into leaving pots! I think I need to stand my ground on it really!

Or, you could say, well I don't really know her but I'll chuck a quid in. I'd probably just wave them away though and say I didn't know her

Contributions should be voluntary. Be honest and say it's not in your budget at the moment but you will happily sign a card. Generally contributions should be anonymous too!
I used to put a few pounds in collections depending on how far away from payday we were but now I just don't say anything, pass the envelope to the next person when it reaches me. I'd love to contribute but I don't get paid enough to fund somebody else when that £5 could go towards the week's food shop.

I had to do this just last night, it's getting ridiculous. A person is moving house - question as to what we're buying them- just a card FFS, I'm not putting any more money into colleagues!

The problem is the payments aren’t being put into an envelope there is someone organising it and wants the money transferred into the bank so they all know exactly how much is being put in. It just gets embarrassing doesn’t it? I don’t really want to discuss my financial situation either but I just think it’s overall rediculous.

How is it collected? If it’s an envelope doing the rounds, just pass it on.

Cross-post. Just don’t do it - will they be rude enough to chase you up directly?

At one time if would be a couple of quid and a bunch of flowers bought. Like a everything else it's getting out of hand. One month my DD had £60 extra because of school and work collections.

I have stopped giving to work collections. I’ve lost two babies and received nothing. There is about 3 collections every month on our place. I have previously given to them all.

they are voluntary. Just pass on. YANBU.

Just don't contribute. If someone asks you about it say you can't afford it as there are too many collections.

Just say you’re sorry but you’ve got unexpected bills this month. End of. You don’t have to go into details or apologise. In fact you’ll probably find others will be so relieved someone has had the bottle to say no that they’ll follow suit. There’s no shame in not wanting to fork out cash for people you hardly know. It used to be enough just to send a card round for people to sign, the idea of expecting people to bank transfer is off the wall.

I can remember years ago giving for someone’s 18th, 2 years later she got engaged, another collection, then she turned 21 so another collection and then the up coming wedding. Unfortunately she was jilted on her hen night so wedding was obviously cancelled. She didn’t the collection money back though!

I work in a remote team. Contributions are now a thing of the past.

£10
Absolutely no way I'd be contributing that.

I'd just not do it, and if approached directly say you are only contributing to collections where you have worked closely with someone.

£10 is ridiculous, especially when they’re asking for it constantly. Just don’t contribute.

In every place I have managed, most of the team have been on NMW I have never done a collection, I buy the cards and if people want to do a cake they might put in a £1. Staff have a right not to be pestered for £10 three times a month. I could not spare that, so why should I expect anyone else to.

I’ve saved a fortune not donating over the years.

Op I stopped giving to work collections years ago well thats a slight lie I only give if I really know the person and have worked with them a long time.

When I got married I never even got a card from workmates, OK I hadn't been there long and was agency but then in my next agency post I was asked to put in for a wedding, I stood my ground and said no. So liberating.

No, sorry, can't afford it.

My workplace is a nightmare for collections too and even more so now it’s gone from putting an anonymous amount in an envelope to online bank transfer. I had just plucked up the courage to ignore the latest collection when it was announced the person leaving had asked for charity contributions instead. Had to donate online and then let the organiser know how much we had donated so a tally could be kept of how much had been raised…….I wasn’t brave enough to ignore but felt a bit annoyed as when donating I like to pick the charity!

£10 is too much. Maybe a couple of quid would be more appropriate

It's ridiculous isn't it. My team buys for birthdays, for students leaving, for every life event, including being off with covid and the death of a pet. Its only £5 a time but it soon mounts up.
DHs workplace is the same but £10 a time.

We worked out we spend about £60 a month to these collections and we get very little back, (not that I'd even want anything as we are quite minimalist and hate stuff). £60 would probably pay for sky sports which DH would love but we just can't afford.

We need to start rebelling.

In your circs I wouldn't. Message the collector and say "Please don't chase me on this one. I am only putting in for close colleagues for major events."
No huffage should be taken. It does get out of hand. The one that always let's me a bit perplexed is the leaving collection. The are feckin off to pastures new and you will never see them again. They are going, why chuck 50 quids worth of tat at them?
Happy for close colleagues for weddings, babies, big birthdays. And to organise flowers for the sad bits of life too.
I had one team of 8 where everyone put in a fiver a month and that was used to buy a nice gift for everyone's birthday. That was a team of mutual, sensible grown ups. I miss it!

We've got 2 weddings, 2 leavers and 1 baby coming in the next 3 months. I usually do the collections as most people are part time and I am full time so see everybody at least once a week.
I have said I am nolonger doing it as it's embarrassing chasing for money when people are now having to tighten their belts. It doesn't help that one of the leavers is a cow who I cannot abide so I won't contribute for her anyway.
I'm done.