Would you offer the money back?

[Shrunkenwasps]

I transferred to another Civil Service department on promotion in November, but I really dislike it and I'm hoping to go back. My old HR dept have said I can as long as they need me still, I'm due to find out start of next week and really hoping I can.

Anyway, before I left in mid November my team organised a collection for me and gave me around £80 which was really nice of them. (Team of about 25 people)

If I go back, I'm thinking that maybe I should give them back the money? Or offer it back? I have no idea who gave me what, and they might not even remember themselves.

But feel a bit rude if I end up going back next month and they gave me money in November. What do people think?

I would spend that amount on something for everyone (a round of drinks if you are prone to going out together, something they can share in the office otherwise).

That's a good idea, thanks

Buy a round of drinks on the next night out. I think giving cash back would be mega awkward.

I was going to suggest same as above. Or maybe nice cakes and chocs etc or samosas which I know are a favourite in our civil service building.
I always go in to buy the charity samosas!

Yeah, everyone put in a collection, I got an envelope and the total came to about £80.
The cakes are a great idea!
Really hoping I can go back

If you don't all go out regularly, organise a buffet type lunch in your first week back - that way no one is left feeling grumpy about it until you next go out.

I don't think they'd expect it back. You can say the new job was terrible, that's stressful in itself being moved..then realising it was a mistake.
You could invite them out for lunch in a local pub/restaurant or after work when you're back? And buy them a few drinks. Other than that I wouldn't worry. I mean how can you give it back as you don't know who donated and how much.

@Shrunkenwasps I’d feel awkward but would bring it into the open and say something like ‘I feel guilty that you all bought me a lovely leaving gift and now I’ve come back so I’m bringing cake/buying drink/some other nice thing’ 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yeah, i know it'll be a slight pay cut so I'll be looking for extra work to top it up.

Cakes, biscuits, savoury snacks and some
nice tea/coffee/soft drinks to top up the staff fridge. They only have a few quid each so I wouldn’t worry too much, but definitely get something as a thank you for welcoming you back! Hope it all works out for the best 💐

Thank you ! I know they're under no obligation to take me back, but I can try. I'll be open about the fact that it hasn't worked out.

Telford ? The samosas are incredible

Birmingham! They are so amazing!

How would you give it back on an individual basis to the givers, though? You could hardly ask each person how much they gave - three generous people could have each given £25 and the other 22 put in a few coppers! "Look, Nigel, I can't in all conscience keep this now, so here's your 4p back!"

Definitely something to share as suggested above: a round of drinks, some fancy cakes, massive box of chocolates to pass around or similar.

It's lovely that you're thinking of your colleagues like this OP. The drinks or cakes etc seem like a great idea. Hoping it all works out for you ❤️

£80 in the tea kitty

I think it's a nice thought, and shows you're a decent person to want to give it back. It will probably be too awkward to get the money back to the right people though.

The cake idea is a good one.