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#Post#: 6423--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: NewHomeowner Date: June 22, 2018, 7:31 am
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[quote author=Aleko link=topic=400.msg6310#msg6310
date=1529599030]
I'm appalled how normal it seems in US workplaces for someone
simply to decide how much everyone is to contribute for
someone's birthday or someone leaving and simply instruct them
all to pony up. Here in the UK the normal thing is to buy a
card, stick it in a big manila envelope and pass it round the
office, or email everyone to tell them "the envelope for Jack's
leaving present is on Jane's desk". Then everyone signs the card
who wants to, and puts into the envelope as much money as they
feel moved to give. There's no pressure, since nobody knows if
you put anything in and if so how much.
This is not only pleasanter for everyone, it means that the
recipient can be confident that the price of their
birthday/farewell gift was given with genuine goodwill, not
demanded from their colleagues by the office busybody.
[/quote]
Honestly, in *all* of the jobs I've had (and I've had plenty!),
I have never been voluntold how much I must contribute. it's
mostly been your way - manila envelope with card, passed around.
I sign and contribute as I want to.
This was in corporate America - contractor version. (because
Feds aren't really allowed to do that stuff very often)
#Post#: 6488--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: BLZbub Date: June 22, 2018, 2:51 pm
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I was told how much to contribute for my bosses (Xmas gift) in
ONE office I've worked at, and was really surprised. I told all
my friends about it and they had never heard of that happening
either, so it's definitely not common.
#Post#: 6491--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: Rose Red Date: June 22, 2018, 3:23 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=lowspark link=topic=400.msg6313#msg6313
date=1529599815]
[quote author=Aleko link=topic=400.msg6310#msg6310
date=1529599030]
I'm appalled how normal it seems in US workplaces for someone
simply to decide how much everyone is to contribute for
someone's birthday or someone leaving and simply instruct them
all to pony up. Here in the UK the normal thing is to buy a
card, stick it in a big manila envelope and pass it round the
office, or email everyone to tell them "the envelope for Jack's
leaving present is on Jane's desk". Then everyone signs the card
who wants to, and puts into the envelope as much money as they
feel moved to give. There's no pressure, since nobody knows if
you put anything in and if so how much.
This is not only pleasanter for everyone, it means that the
recipient can be confident that the price of their
birthday/farewell gift was given with genuine goodwill, not
demanded from their colleagues by the office busybody.
[/quote]
It's not really normal "in the US". These are anecdotes which
don't necessarily represent the norm of this huge country. So...
yes, it's appalling when people do that sort of thing, but just
like for any other rude behavior, it's always the ones who
display it that get talked about. I'm sure those people exist in
many locations throughout the world.
In my office, it's just like what you described. A card and
small envelope for money get put into an inter-office manila
envelope and get passed around. People put money in and sign the
card or not as they see fit. No one knows who put money and who
didn't.
[/quote]
Yup. In all the US offices I've worked, it's the passing around
an envelope thing too.
And I agree if it's normal to pony up a predetermined amount set
by the bigwigs, there won't be these types of posts or
questions. Because it wouldn't occur to us to post if we think
it's normal.
The US is not as odd or rude as message boards make it sound. We
post because it's odd or rude. :D
#Post#: 6540--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: LifeOnPluto Date: June 23, 2018, 2:06 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I don't think it's inherently rude to take up a collection for
someone very senior in the company, provided:
- it's part of the company's culture (ie everyone who leaves -
regardless of position - gets a card and gift when they go); and
- you aren't being "voluntold" how much to contribute.
#Post#: 6603--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: mime Date: June 24, 2018, 12:26 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I agree with nearly everything that's been posted so far. My
companies have done giving with the envelope, too-- all
anonymous and the amount, if any, is up to the individual. In
this situation, my contribution would be based on my
relationship with the recipient, and I agree that it is unusual
to give a gift for someone quitting rather than retiring.
The thing I find most difficult about this (and it is likely
correlated with salary) is the culture in some companies of
thinking the higher-ups are universally adored by everyone
there. So of course we all want to honor them with an expensive
gift, and welcome them to our potlucks that they didn't even
contribute to (does that remind anyone of an old thread?), and
see them win silly awards or whatever other popularity-contest
type recognitions we have. Because they are so universally
loved, how could the rank and file not be honored by just the
opportunity to adore them?
OK, a little over the top, I know. I do encounter this attitude
from some co-workers at times, and we've seen it on ehell in the
past. This feels to me like the attitude underlying OPs
situation.
#Post#: 6632--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: Shadowlady Date: June 24, 2018, 10:13 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
All of this reminds me of a time I was temping, filling in
until they chose a permanent hire. I was only there for just
over a week, but when I was informed that the new hire was here
and I needed to fill her in on what I had done on that job, I
started to do so. So as I am showing the new hire what I did,
others were learning that I would now be let go. The next thing
I knew, they gave me a whole bunch of going away gifts, mug,
notebooks and such.
I guess my temporary coworkers really liked me. The new hire
was not that happy seeing how much they liked me. I don’t know
why she was that irritated. I was leaving.
#Post#: 6637--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: MOM21SON Date: June 24, 2018, 11:21 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I've told this story somewhere, maybe on the old board.
My father owned his own business and was very successful. It
was the late 70's and he decided to have a Christmas party.
From what I remember it was very fancy. All employees, spouses,
children were invited. It was in some ballroom at a hotel.
Children activities, including Santa. Drinks for adults, passed
apps, sit down dinner. Prior to that he had given all employees
a bonus check.
The night of the event, his employees arranged a gift, it was a
VCR! The price at that time was about 1200 US dollars. I don't
think I have ever seen my father that mad. He ranted the whole
way home about how he gave employees a gift to thank them for
his success. Mind you, he had 10-15 employees at the most. So
that was roughly 80 bucks each to pitch in for the VCR. I am
not sure what bonus they got, but I'm pretty sure it was that or
less for most of them.
He stuck by that employees shouldn't gift their boss. He never
had another party again, but continued with bonuses.
So that is probably why I stand by that bosses should not be
gifted.
Now I have given cards and such on my own, maybe even a flower
or two. But that's it.
#Post#: 6686--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: guest725 Date: June 25, 2018, 1:40 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Did your family use the VCR?
#Post#: 6750--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: MOM21SON Date: June 25, 2018, 10:36 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=puppylove link=topic=400.msg6686#msg6686
date=1529952050]
Did your family use the VCR?
[/quote]
Not until my older brother took it out and hooked it up during
the summer.
#Post#: 6814--------------------------------------------------
Re: 'I'm taking up a contribution' - for someone who earns way m
ore than you
By: Celestia Date: June 26, 2018, 9:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=MOM21SON link=topic=400.msg6637#msg6637
date=1529900483]
I've told this story somewhere, maybe on the old board.
My father owned his own business and was very successful. It
was the late 70's and he decided to have a Christmas party.
From what I remember it was very fancy. All employees, spouses,
children were invited. It was in some ballroom at a hotel.
Children activities, including Santa. Drinks for adults, passed
apps, sit down dinner. Prior to that he had given all employees
a bonus check.
The night of the event, his employees arranged a gift, it was a
VCR! The price at that time was about 1200 US dollars. I don't
think I have ever seen my father that mad. He ranted the whole
way home about how he gave employees a gift to thank them for
his success. Mind you, he had 10-15 employees at the most. So
that was roughly 80 bucks each to pitch in for the VCR. I am
not sure what bonus they got, but I'm pretty sure it was that or
less for most of them.
He stuck by that employees shouldn't gift their boss. He never
had another party again, but continued with bonuses.
So that is probably why I stand by that bosses should not be
gifted.
Now I have given cards and such on my own, maybe even a flower
or two. But that's it.
[/quote]
Sorry....that just seems like such a sad over-reaction :(
Obviously no one wants anyone to feel pressured to buy a gift.
But if they DID...holy ungrateful, Batman! I hope he at least
waited till he was in the car to show any displeasure. I hope in
front of the gift-givers, he was thankful and pleasant. To take
away the party because they had the GALL to....want to
acknowledge him with a gift...that makes me so sad.
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