Collection for colleague

[BasketOfJoy]

A well respected and much liked colleague has recently been promoted. They will be doing a different job but in the same department.

A party is being arranged, and everyone has been asked to bring a dish to share and give a financial contribution for a gift.

This person earns twice as much as me, and is not actually leaving. I am happy to celebrate their achievement, but feel pressured into giving money.

AIBU?

Well you are under mo obligation whatsoever. So I'd discreetly pass on it

No way, person isn’t leaving, just being promoted. If it was myself that was promoted I certainly wouldn’t expect a gift.

Yes, there’s no obligation, if you can’t afford it.

Fuck that.

I've worked in offices for 25 years now and never, ever has there been a collection for someone who has been promoted.

It would be a huge no from me, even if I was the one earning double.

I’ve heard it all now! A collection for a promotion, especially in this financial climate? That is piss poor on the part of management, and if I was the person in question I would refuse to accept any sort of present.

It’s not just about not being able to afford it though, it’s also about the principle of the thing.

I don't see the need to give a gift at all if the colleague is not leaving. A party seems a very adequate way to acknowledge the promotion.
Who exactly is asking for a contribution for the gift because I can't see how this can be mandatory. It should be up to people's discretion.
Personally I would not give money. And I wouldn't offer any explanation.
And if any one made an issue of this asked why I wasnt contributing to a gift would say that I didn't feel buying a gift was necessary.

To feel pressured?

Yes YABU.

Don't contribute if you can't/don't want to but obviously don't go to the party.

She can go to the party if bringing some food surely

I’m happy to bring food for the party, it’s the gift that feels OTT. Some people have given £30.

Meanwhile some colleagues won’t even receive a birthday card when it’s their special occasion..

They either sound self absorbed or the person organising it is an arse kicker. Take some food in but fuck giving them money (??). What do you need money for?

Well, the OP is entirely entitled to not chip in on those grounds as well, though the same would surely be true of a colleague retiring or leaving the company on twice her salary — does actual departure make a difference to the basic situation of giving a colleague with much more money than you a present?

It does seem that the higher earners get the most in gifts/ attention when they are promoted/ leaving/ retiring.

Of course it makes a difference. When someone is leaving a collection is a way of saying thank you to them for their labour and wishing them well as it’s usually assumed that you won’t see them again. This person is staying within the same department so not even moving within the organisation. I hate the assumption that if you do not want to contribute it must be because you cannot afford it, rather than simply not wanting to contribute to this sort of nonsense.

Of course it is. Ridiculous.

Never heard of this for a promotion so wouldn’t attend, or provide food or $$ for gift. How odd.

Meanwhile some colleagues won’t even receive a birthday card when it’s their special occasion..

Absolutely this. Have a ‘standard’ and stick to it.

In two years our manager received presents for engagement, wedding, 2 birthdays, house move and promotion. Then she shat on us by pushing more work our way, something she had been very against when working with us.

During the same time, did everyone else get two birthday presents? Some. Some not.

I find that a bit weird! I've only ever heard of this when someone is leaving? Does this happen to all people who change jobs in the company?

There’s been many threads where people have contributed to endless birthdays, babys, weddings etc and then they get silence when it’s their milestone.

No, I’ve never know this to happen before.