The office whip-round: Are you a contributor?

In these times, it seems that employees are constantly on the lookout for better employment opportunities and constantly on the search to better themselves. In an office, there always seems to be someone resigning for better opportunities.

Read - Office Gossip: Are you aware of who the culprits are?

If someone isn't retiring, they're getting married, having a baby or moving on to a new job, and I'm always the guy who gets caught by the ring leader when it's time to contribute to a present. And I always contribute because I feel like it's obvious if I don't. Okay, and because I feel guilty.

Then there's that 'suggested amount' and if you give anything less, you're known as the cheapskate.

The thing is, we're all in different financial situations so we have the right to choose how our money is spent, right? If I have money on me, I contribute because giving up a little money is good karma, but if I don't, I want to say no and not feel guilty about it. Then again, shouldn't your company be buying the employee who has resigned or is retiring a gift?

Read - Men or women: Who's better at saving money?

So, when the hat (or the envelope) comes round and you're asked for a donation towards someone's gift, what do you do? Do you turn a blind eye or are you a contributor?