Should i Gift my Retiring/Resigning Employee
If you are a boss, and one of your employee is resigning from their job or retiring, it is very appropriate that you gift them a thank you gift. While it is not an obligation it is just a good gesture that will set work ethics in your organization.
Whether they are getting a job elsewhere or starting their own company it is important that you wish them well and a gift communicates this perfectly. The parting gift is important for the following reasons;
- It communicates that you appreciate the time they have spent working for you
- It communicates your appreciation for their effort and work throughout the period you have worked together
- Appreciates their added diverse personality , guidance or support they have offered other colleagues
- A show of good ties; especially to emphasize that they are not leaving on bad terms
- A show of best wishes for their future endeavors after leaving
- Something to remind them of memories of them working in your organization. Even if there will be no farewell party for them, you can still find valuable small inexpensive gifts to communicate that you appreciate them.
Gifts for colleagues or employees who are resigning or retiring carry significant emotional weight, serving as lasting memories and tokens of appreciation for the time spent together. The gesture can evoke fond memories, reminding them of the impact they had on the team and the connections formed in the workplace. It transcends the material value, becoming a heartfelt tribute to their time at the organization.
Read: What to Gift your Colleagues or Boss if you are Retiring/Resigning
Tips on Choosing the Right Farewell Gift
As the boss, you might be struggling with the idea of what to gift your employee who is leaving. You want your gift to stand out from among other gifts because you are the boss.
Choosing the right gift for a retiring and resigning colleague should be a thoughtful process. You need to choose a gift that reflects their personality, interests, and future plans. If you know your employee well, then you must known what they like, their hobbies, and what they need among others.
Also pay attention to what they mention in conversations. If they express interest in a particular book, hobby, or experience, that can guide your gift choice.
Consider the following tips;
A. Consider Their Personality;
Are they introverts or extroverts?
- Introverts may appreciate thoughtful, personal gifts like a journal or a book.
- Extroverts might enjoy social experiences, such as tickets to an event or a group outing.
B. Sentimental vs. Functionality
Would they prefer gifts they will keep for memories or something they will use?
- Sentimental employees value personalized gifts, like a photo album or a custom piece of art that captures shared memories.
- Practical colleagues on the other hand appreciate functional gifts, such as office supplies, tools, or gadgets that they can use in their next job or endeavor.
C. Reflect on Their Interests
What are their hobbies and lifestyle;
- If they have a hobby (e.g., gardening, cooking, or painting), consider gifts that align with those interests, like gardening tools, a gourmet cooking class, or art supplies.
- Look at their lifestyle. For someone who loves fitness, consider items like a fitness tracker, gym membership, or a yoga mat. If they enjoy travel, think about travel accessories or a gift card for accommodations or experiences.
D. Think about their Future Plans
What are they planning to do after retiring on leaving your company?
- Career Option: If they’re moving to a new job, consider gifts that will help in their transition, such as professional attire, a planner, or a briefcase.
- For someone starting their own business, consider valuable items like entrepreneurial books or business planning tools.
- Retirement Option: If they’re retiring, think about what they might enjoy doing in their free time, such as gardening kits, cooking classes, or travel vouchers.
E. Add a Personal Touch
- Shared Experiences: Reflect on shared experiences you had together and choose a gift that reminds them of those moments. This could be a framed photo from a team event or a memento from a project you worked on together.
- Messages and Notes: Accompany any gift with a heartfelt note or card expressing your appreciation. This adds a personal touch that can make even a simple gift feel special.
F. Budget Considerations
You may need to consider the cost of the gift you are buying your employee. If you need more resources consider group gifts. You can bring in employees on board and contribute for a bigger gift.
You may hence get a larger gift that can be more meaningful, such as a high-quality watch, a vacation package, or a personalized piece of art.
You can equally include the suggestions for DIY gifts or group gifts as they can be more personal and budget-friendly.
Common Farewell Gifts Ideas for Colleagues
1. Host a Farewell Party/Luncheon
In some cases, you as the boss or employer may need to organize a party for the leaving employee. The farewell party/luncheon is one of the best gifts that an employer and the workers can give to their colleague or boss.
If so, consider the party of the luncheon as a gift in itself. You, therefore, do not need to bring an extra gift for them unless you prefer to. It is basically a thank you affair designed to thank the leaving colleague for their work and time they had invested in the company.
2. A Farewell Custom Mug
You can have a specially made mug for your colleague. You want the mug to be a reminder of their time there and hence need a message or image representing this. It is quite a treasure gift that the employee will value and love even after leaving your organisation.
You can have an image of the colleague printed out on the mug. Also you can fill the mug with sweets, or chocolates.
An alternative to a mug would be a water bottle. Both male and female colleagues will love this.
3. A Thank you and Goodbye Email
If you want to go all professional then send a farewell email to your employee who is leaving.An email will come across as both professional and appropriate; communicating your appreciation for the time you have worked together. It is the most modest way of saying goodbye especially if you have only worked with them mostly virtually.
4. A Self-care and Snacks Gift Box
You can leave a snacks and self-care gift box for your colleague. Depending on whether they are male or female, you will decide what items you can put in there.
Some thoughtful yet inexpensive items include;
- Candles
- Oils
- Skincare
- Candies
- Chocolate
- Book, etc.
Read: Top Treat Ideas for Working Moms
5. Nail Clipper and Other Functional Gifts
Both men and women will love functional gifts for their farewell. Buy the employee a unique nail clipper as a farewell gift and they will love it. It is cheap yet quite thoughtful and will make them think about you and the workplace whenever they are using it.
6. Personalized Farewell Posters
Your employee will appreciate a poster with messages from their other colleagues as their parting gift.
7. Memory Scrapbooks
Make for them memory scrapbooks filled with photos and notes from team members. They will really appreciate this as it is something that reminds them of your workplace.
8. Experience Gifts
You can additionally get them tickets to events or classes related to their interests. It will communicate how much you took your effort to known then and their likes and interests.
9. Subscription Services
Another farewell gift ideal for a leaving or retiring employee is monthly subscriptions for books, snacks, or hobbies. Employees who are retiring will especially appreciate this as they now have more time to enjoy these services.