How to reply to this query?

[LookItsMeAgain]

I'll try to give as much information as I can but I will change some details so that it's not 100% the exact situation.

There is someone in my office that is due to retire in the next few months. There is a smallish team that this individual works with (think less than 10 people).

During a chat last week, it was discussed that a collection be done in the team to get this retiring member of staff something nice for their departure. This would be a gift only from the small team, not from the company or from an individual.

I was not part of that conversation.

The figure being suggested would mean that the retiring colleague would receive a substantial gift from this smallish team.

A member of the team put forward a suggestion that any contribution to this collection should be done based on what someone is able to contribute, not a fixed sum from each member of the team. The gift would still be very considerate but not necessarily as substantial.

Now the question has been asked, would the original figure minus £10 (so say the original figure was £60, the suggestion now is £50) would that be acceptable?

How does someone reply to that when they don't want to contribute £50 to someone's retirement gift, someone they'll probably never see again.

Blimey, unless you are all earning a huge amount then that does seem a lot. I've working with some of my colleagues for 30 years and I don't think I would part with that much!

Can you reply saying that £50 is still out of your budget and that perhaps you can all anonymously donate whatever is affordable/appropriate to the individual?

Is the figure that high because someone wants to by a specific item?

Completely confused

but no one tells me what to donate

It’s based on what everyone can contribute - if you can contribute £1 or £10 or £100 pounds that’s what you can contribute. I think people understand that not everyone can afford everything at the moment. More than a card and flowers is all extra really.

Collections should be an envelope sent round the office and people (anonymously) put in whatever they wish.

Luckily that’s how it works at my place.
Stipulating an amount is ridiculous.

I had a similar situation as three of my team members had babies within 2 months and it meant a lot of money to contribute to their gifts.

I was honest, I said “I wish I was in the position to offer more but at this time I can only contribute —, I hope this goes some way towards getting them a lovely gift”

Keep it short and simple, times are tough. I would be mortified to know that someone gave more than they could afford towards a gift for me, if they’re a half decent team of people they’ll understand

It’s based on what each person wants to contribute

“No that still doesn’t work. Contributions should be anonymous and voluntary. So I think we should just pass an envelope rounds the office giving people the chance to contribute without anyone else knowing what they’ve given.”

If taking £10 off is still a substantial gift that would suggest it's still far too much

You don't dictate what someone gives it's down to how much people can afford.

The way I’ve always done a collection like that at work is you pass round a card and an envelope. Anyone who wants to contribute puts in money, however much they like, totally anonymously, and signs the card. Then the nominated individual tots it up and purchases a gift to the value of whatever they have at the end. You can’t reasonably expect everyone to contribute the same- the team assistant (for example) should not be expected to match the boss!

This absolutely.

Brilliant. Thanks everyone.
That wording @devildeepbluesea is exactly what I think is missing here - the understanding that it should be anonymous and up to the individual what they want to contribute (if anything at all).

Thanking you all.

It's odd to dictate an amount, unless it's something regular that's become a custom, like everyone puts in a tenner for team birthdays.

I take it you want to say no to contributing £50? (which is still a lot unless you are all highly paid).

Can you go back with something like : Could we just let people contribute whatever amount they feel is right for them, and then pick a gift when we know the total? I don't feel comfortable setting an individual contribution amount during the cost of living crisis.

That way it's being considerate to everyone, and not personal to you.

Even in a team where everyone is paid handsomely I’d never expect an amount to be set for a leaving gift . As a manager I expect to contribute more than the team. I wouldn’t expect a team member to contribute anything; if they want to that’s lovely of them.

I dont spend £50 on my family - fucked if you think I'm spending on a colleague gift!!

I cannot follow this discussion, it starts with it being agreed that everyone contributes what they want, then there is an “original figure” and then an original figure less £10 which is £50.

Anyway £50 for a work collection is really excessive, I know that retirement gifts are usually something pretty good, but for that reason the company should be funding it.