Left job after 25 years, all I got was flowers 🫣

[BruceLeTerror]

i did get a few gifts (chocolate, alcohol) from colleagues, but after 25 years all I got from the company was a box of flowers?!

Previously when people have left, there’s always been a collection of sorts. I know I shouldn’t expect anything- but I realise now how under appreciated I was - it has left a sour taste (and not filled me with confidence to start my new job tomorrow)

I feel there is no longer any appetite for collections and cards after Covid.

I’d never expect anything from anyone, I feel
it’s a bit grabby. I’d be the one taking in presents on my last day.

Also, I thought there are personal tax implications for employee gifts from employers?

Yes - unless under £50

You wouldnt get a nice bunch of flowers round here for under £50, so flowers could be tricky!

Sounds like our academy trust. SLT and trust 'leadership' have constant self-love fests and spend a lot of time 'supporting' each other while not actually accomplishing anything or providing much needed on the ground support. Most teachers and support staff who have left over the past two years haven't even gotten a speech.

Companies don't give a shit, and that needs to be remembered at all times. No loyalty.

Mate just did 15 years at our place, she got a lunch and $250

Which was taxable

I really know you feel,it's not nice or a great experience,try not to take it too personally.When our line manager,was sent to another branch to manage,we clubed together to buy a large bottle of Whiskey gave cards & hugs. The branch I worked at was making redundancies,they were reducing the departments,which were running at a loss.I was offered redundancy.Which after working at the company for13 yrs,felt it was time to move on.I was also thinking of moving to a new area.I was in a low paid part time position.The redundancy payment was very low.I worked right up to the last day,Saturday evening untill 9pm.I got a leaving card a with a small bunch of flowers.I think the company were annoyed that I accepted,with a smile & without any drama.I put the flowers in the bin & card went, in shortly after.Its not in my humble opinion how hard you work or how popular you are? it's if your face fits! At the time, I felt offended.Now, i think it was the best decision I have ever made!

A friend of mine was given nothing when she left a company after 25 years. Apparently the manager just All the best then.

they paid you every month right? so....?

Things seem to be different now.

I left after 40 years and didn't want a collection or gift

This happed to me had only been there a year, but others had left earlier than that, and we put clubbed together every time with a small gift and card, I didn't get even a card, so when the shop shut down and they all got made redundant, while I was still in my new job I had no sympathy for them.

Our company doesn’t give gifts to leavers - and it’s against the expenses policy to do it that way. It does, however, allow you to expense a gift at 10 years, 25 years and 40 years service - I seem to recall 10 years was £150, not sure how much for the other 2 as I’m 2 years off getting the 25 year one! It does allow a gift for retirement too.

Colleagues will usually do a collection though which is nice.

When I left work (medically retired) my team where really sweet (worked with them for between 5yrs and 20yrs). We were a small team with about 20 people and they got me flowers, wine, a bracelet and some charms. We also went out for lunch and food was provided.

Why would you want a present from the company or anyone else? That's really weird!

Thanks for getting it! So true, the mutual applaud and it's all so fake! Dare I say a lot to do with nepotism, the relatives of an academy CEO/diocese who have climbed/ gone straight into the ranks to SLT though being very poor and inadequate at actual teaching yet judging others. So a genuine self achieved HT who has them planted as his management team to be accountable to their parents is in a tough situation and they don't last long till one of them takes their place.

I may sound cynical, that's because the way I have become after experiencing it in my own school and those of others.

Oh that intervention we created was so wonderful 😍 Rest of the staff...ffs not another stupid whim which takes up more time than planning and marking to then be replaced by another one for a clap on the back for incorporating 7 hats into lessons which they have no significance for.

Oops have vented a bit more than I expected to lol 😆

I know. I do admit it's bad.
I think I'm unusual in my attitude compared to other people.
I just feel like...... it's a paid job, you know?
You get paid 1/12 of your salary every month in return for working there.
You didn't work there for free.
Why are the rest of us, who are still working there, doing a collection for a leaving present for someone who has decided to go and work elsewhere?
I honestly just don't get it.

Thats crap.
just left a job in a small organisation. Been there a few years.
From the collection I received over £100 vouchers for a store of my choice and flowers.
Also they paid for my meal out.
I was pretty happy with that. Will be keeping in touch with a few people.

It's a job, they owe you nothing and vice versa. No one is appreciated in jobs like this!

I’m a bit confused about what people want when they leave - a ticker tape parade?

I think flowers and a thank you, along with the gifts received from individual employees, is absolutely fine.

As for the company, the overwhelming majority of us are completely replaceable, however well we do the job. I wouldn’t expect the wider company to give a shit really.

I do get it OP, worked for years in a Frontline child protection team for 20 years, by default I and a lovely social assistant organised all send offs and gifts because everyone wanted lovely gifts (agreed by the team this was a thing including for students there for 3 months). The day I left ( because the office shut and I did not move with the team) no one was even in. I had a weeks AL booked after my leaving date and no one clocked on. They knew they fucked up, but it bloody hurt at the time. I find it quite funny now, I was always the amazing gift organizer (even though I did not necessarily want to be). Was not going to organise my own gift/send off!

I’m not sure what you expected, especially as you’re quitting this job for another. It’s nice getting something from colleagues who care to organise a gift but the company owes you nothing.

@Washingbasquait it is relative. But it is pretty usual in teams I work in (public sector) for people to chuck in for a present and agree to order in a nice lunch or more usually have a fuddle (northern thing- due to public sector cuts I had a week of lunches that were fuddles a few years back). It is usually quite an awkward affair where there are not enough seats, some people make an effort to bring nice sharing food but lots of people bring in some crisps and beige food. There are never enough plates or cups and if you are very unlucky you find yourself perched next to a member of senior management making small talk.

I worked 12 hour shifts for a company, often doing extra because they were short staffed, so some weeks 72/84 hour weeks.
I discovered I had cancer, and told the boss that, as I didn't know what would happen, I ought to leave, then take stock again later if it was cured (didn't qualify for sick pay)
All I got was moaned at because the boss didn't know how he was going to fill the rosters! I did give the required notice, and he did know I was getting more ill 🙄
OP... it would have been nice to feel appreciated, but more and more these days, people are just out for themselves I'm afraid 😥

How did you move past that? I'd have been so cross.

I’m really confused by this. I’ve worked in the public sector and the company/org would never buy a leaving gift! If you’ve worked with a good team who like you, then they might take you out for drinks, or there might be a whip round if you’ve been there for 10+ years.

I need to know the circs before I say if YABU! I definitely wouldn’t have had a gift from ‘the company’ or would have been overjoyed with flowers, so is that not the norm where you are?

After 36 yrs in the nhs after years of contributing to others I didn’t even get a card! I had been wfh as I was immunosuppressed half way through 2nd covid