Is it unreasonable to refuse to contribute to a leaving collection for someone I've never met?
The complainant says
My company has around 200 people. Every few weeks an envelope or an online collection goes round for a birthday, leaving do, wedding or baby. The suggested amount is £5 to £10. Last month there were four.
I started only contributing for people I actually know or work with. This week someone from another floor went round personally asking for a leaving collection for a person in a department I've never dealt with. I said I'd pass. She said 'wow, okay' loudly enough for people nearby to hear and now there's apparently a list of who didn't give.
The other side says the office organiser, as the complainant tells it
The organiser says it's a small amount, it's about company culture, and that being part of a team means celebrating people even if you don't know them well. She denies there's a list, but says people do notice.
Jury discussion (5 comments)
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Four collections a month at £5 to £10 is a subscription service I didn't sign up for.
Contributions are voluntary by definition. Saying 'wow, okay' loudly is just public pressure.
A list of who didn't give would be an HR conversation in most places.
I sign the card for everyone and give money to people I know. Seems like a nice middle ground.
Signing the card for a stranger is its own form of chaos. 'Good luck! From someone.'