When a coworker has a birthday, gets married, or leaves the job, office gift collections are very common. However, deciding how much money to give can cause awkward moments for many workers.
According to data from the website GiftRound, workers in the UK gave an average of £11.65 to office collections in early 2026. However, opinions on giving vary widely. Many people say they only contribute to colleagues they work with directly or know well.
Junior workers often face the biggest challenge because they have smaller budgets. One worker recalled putting spare copper coins into an envelope when she was 17 because she had almost no money. Today, many workers choose to give between £5 and £10 for general colleagues, and up to £20 for close friends at work.
Salary level also affects how people handle office whips. Surprisingly, senior managers do not always give more. One former director explained that managing over 200 staff members made contributing to every collection too expensive. Instead, he chose to sign cards without giving cash. Today, online collection tools make this compromise harder because they often show donation amounts next to names.
Experts suggest simple rules for workplace gift etiquette. Thomas Roubert, an organizational psychology professor at Oxford University, advises prioritizing direct colleagues. He also recommends that organizers avoid chasing people individually for money. Offering a greeting card as an alternative allows everyone to participate without financial stress.