Collections at work - yay or nay?

[pplpilot]

There are 350 people in this building and It seems there isn't a day go by here I'm not asked to sign a card or give some cash for someone in another department that I have no idea who it is or even spoke to for some non event that's happening in their lives. If it is someone I've worked closely with for a number of years and its a birth or marriage then I really don't mind a few quid, but some graduate work placement who has been here for 6 months that I've probably only ever passed in the corridor I'm sorry but its a no. Then there's the leavers who are quick enough to rub it in about how much better the job is they are going to and how much better the pay is. I've been here 17 years I've had a 30th and a 40th Birthday, 2 children and not a single collection was made for me, not that I mind or care but it seems the women are the ones that kick these things off for the little gaggles they associate with and then expect the entire building to contribute. Well this morning enough was enough and I spoke out about it..... bloody hell what a shoot storm I've just kicked up anyone would think I asked her to go and walk around the car park in her bra and knickers for 8 hours.

 

[Fnaar]

I probably get 2 or 3 emails a week, along the lines of Person X is retiring/getting married/leaving/having a baby/abseiling for charity etc...
Most of the time they just get deleted, as I haven't go t a clue who the person is. Will contribute for close colleagues, and those few colleagues who have become friends, but otherwise nope.

 

[Sara_H]

There are 350 people in this building and It seems there isn't a day go by here I'm not asked to sign a card or give some cash for someone in another department that I have no idea who it is or even spoke to for some non event that's happening in their lives. If it is someone I've worked closely with for a number of years and its a birth or marriage then I really don't mind a few quid, but some graduate work placement who has been here for 6 months that I've probably only ever passed in the corridor I'm sorry but its a no. Then there's the leavers who are quick enough to rub it in about how much better the job is they are going to and how much better the pay is. I've been here 17 years I've had a 30th and a 40th Birthday, 2 children and not a single collection was made for me, not that I mind or care but it seems the women are the ones that kick these things off for the little gaggles they associate with and then expect the entire building to contribute. Well this morning enough was enough and I spoke out about it..... bloody hell what a s*** storm I've just kicked up anyone would think I asked her to go and walk around the car park in her bra and knickers for 8 hours.

In my work place we had a "present club" for a few years that everyone put a pound a month into and any births/marriages/deaths/leavers presents were bought from the club money, which stopped the unhappiness of someone being left out.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Well this morning enough was enough and I spoke out about it..... bloody hell what a s*** storm I've just kicked up

Good on you, I hate these office-based chuggers. A definite nay from me!

GC

 

[fossyant]

Last place I 'contributed' as we all knew each other. When I left I was given a Decathlon Voucher, which I bought a pair of Aksiums with ! Where I am now, I'm lucky enough not to be based with my immediate colleagues so I don't have to contribute to anything ! Yes

 

[biggs682]

nay for me , so dont even ask

 

[Booyaa]

Only if I like the person, otherwise no.

 

[tyred]

Last place I worked was the same. Every day there was someone sticking their hand out saying "Jim's leaving, give a donation" type things. I don't mind if it's someone I actually know and like but when it's someone you don't know, it's nothing short of ridiculous.

 

[cd365]

They were stopped at our company, people would leave and I would be like "who the f are they?" when they asked for contribution to the collection, if I didn't know them, they would get nowt.

 

[classic33]

Nay from me. Some people expect everyone to give & are a "bit put out" when they're met with a firm no.

 

[asterix]

I bought a cycle computer with proceeds of mine. One which tells you the gradient.

Since I went during a redundancy program including 150 of my colleagues I have no idea how that happened! I never gave anything to anyone else's.

I never gave it much thought until this post!

 

[Puddles]

Hubby did get narky about this a few weeks back, they don't have lots of collections in fact it is rare but 2 people were having babies in short space of time and he said no and caused his own brown stuff storm, as he said to them no one did a collection when I had Maggot, nor any of the other blokes when they became Dad's so why should I give just because it is one of the women in the office having a baby both of which have already said they don't plan to return after maternity leave so I am not likely to see them again

 

[oldfatfool]

I used to work a at privately owned textile company, the owner went into private hospital for his iirc hip doing. His pa bought him a card, gift and flowers and then came round all the management saying they owed £xx as their share. She wasn't amused when I explained I wouldn't be contributing and I thought it was a bit rich to expect it when he was enjoying salmon and champers whilst I was struggling on the pittance he paid.

 

[Sandra6]

I think it depends on the work environment and how close you all are. Also if there is a general sense of getting back after putting in at some point.
When I worked in the Spar, there were about 10 of us. If somebody left we had a collection and a night out for them, but we knew when it was our turn to leave we'd get something half decent
We also did secret santa at xmas.
A couple had babies and we collected for them.
There's double the number working where I am now, and to be honest people come and go all the time. Since I started I've been organising leaving dos for those that want them - actually we had a leaving do for someone who didn't turn up not long ago, but we didn't let that stop the fun!
It's become company policy recently to mark birthdays - petty cash pays - and we celebrate minor successes with chocolate or cake from time to time.
I think if you want to give you should and if you don't then it should be politely accepted when you politely decline. I wouldn't give to a collection for a person I didn't know.

 

[BJH]

It's the danger of working in a big place. The problem is that some people are more pushy when doing a collection and are willing to go around floors, buildings etc where no one knows who the leaver, baby maker, bride, retiree is and still want something.
I give when it's my immediate team or someone I am close too. But, I got sod all for either a 40th, 50, or a wedding.
It then becomes a case of more being raised depending on who is pushing it