What to Gift your Colleague/Employee who is Resigning/Retiring

Should i Gift My Employee who is Retiring/Leaving Job

If you are a boss, and one of your employee is leaving their job and retiring, it is very appropriate that you gift them a thank you gift. While it is not an obligation it is just good work ethics in your organization.

When you gift your leaving or retiring employee a thank you gift;

  • It communicates that you appreciate the time they have spent working for you
  • It communicate appreciation for their effort and work throughout the period you have worked together
  • Appreciate their added diverse personality and guidance or support they have offered other colleagues
  • A show of good ties; that they are not leaving on bad terms
  • A show of best wishes for their future endeavors when they retire or leave
  • Give them something to remind them of memories of them working under you 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. 

Should i Gift My Coworker/Colleague who is Retiring/Leaving Job

If one of your colleague or boss is then one who is retiring or retiring, the expectation is also that you will gift them an farewell gift. In some workplaces, it is an expectation that when an employee is leaving or retiring, other colleagues will gift them a farewell gift.

It is not weird or unacceptable to gift workers or bosses who have resigned or retired. Farewell parties for colleagues or boss leaving jobs are a common thing in the modern world.

When you gift your colleague who is leaving it communicates;

  • You appreciate them as colleagues or team members
  • If it is your boss, appreciate them for their leadership and guidance while you worked under them
  • You remain good friends or in good terms even after they leave
  • You wish them well in their retirement or employment and say goodbye
  • Give something to remind them of their times when you were working together

While you are not obliged or required to do so, your colleague or boss may expect it, especially if they have been working with you for quite a long time. If the co-worker has been at your workplace for over 3 years, then it’s definitely a good gesture to gift them on their farewell. Equally if your boss has been with you for over 3 years, a farewell gift is quite expected.

Read: What to Gift your Colleagues or Boss if you are Retiring/Resigning

Simple Farewell Gifts Ideas for Leaving or Retiring Colleagues or Juniors

As the boss, you might be struggling with the idea of what to gift your employee who is leaving or retiring. You want your gift to stand out from among other gifts because you are the boss.

Also gifting your colleagues whom you have worked together for a while is easy. You must have known them, what they like, their hobbies, and what they need among others. These are the elements that should guide you when deciding which is the best farewell gift for them when they are finally resigning or going into retirement.

Even if there will be no farewell party for them, you can still find valuable small inexpensive gifts to communicate that you appreciate working with them.

1. Host a Farewell Party/Luncheon

In some cases, the boss or the employer may organize a party for the employee who is retiring or leaving the job. If so, consider the party of the luncheon as a gift in itself. You, therefore, do not need to bring an extra gift for the colleague.

The farewell party/luncheon is one of the best gifts that an employer and the workers can give to their colleague or boss. It is basically a thank you affair designed to thank the leaving colleague for their work and time they had invested in the company.

The boss may in addition buy an actual gift.

2. A Farewell Custom Mug

You can have a specially made mug for your colleague or boss. 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 your colleague will value and love even after leaving the job or retiring from the field. 

You can have an image of the colleagues 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 colleague or boss who is leaving the job. It is especially the most modest way of saying goodbye if you have only worked with them mostly virtually.

An email will come across as both professional and appropriate; communicating your appreciation for the time you have worked together. 

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 your colleague 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.

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