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Being a low-key individual and not really liking to be the center of attention (nor needing it), went out to lunch on my last day with just my department. After lunch, gathered my few personal items and quietly left the building. Got in my car, drove out of the parking lot and then yelled, "YES!!!!!!!"
This is a great thread. I have read all of the posts and believe it I feel the same as the rest here. I didn't want a big shindig when my buddy retired before me. I would have gladly consented to a group retirement party. I would not want to be the center of attention of a big one. So as things would have it. We had my party on the Thursday before. It was just a day when the big boss could be around. They presented me with a plaque and a Meritorious Service Medal. It was nice and quiet. Just a few of the hundreds that could possibly have come. I would not have wanted it any other way. On Friday I came in for a few hours in civilian clothes (it was my requirement to wear my uniform to work) and about noon I left after saying goodbye. But really, twice I have been back. I probably will for a couple years occasionally go back to say hello as long as my boss is there.
I'm kind of surprised nobody ran out the door on the last day, threw off their tie or uniform or bra and yelled, I'm free, I'm free, Thank God almighty I'm free at last". Boy, old people sure are dull. lol Nobody even gave a little jab or pushed back a little against a boss or coworker that was PIA. I would have thought someone would have walked past a former coworkers desk and said, "bye A**hole" .
I said I didn't want a party, so naturally the department got everyone together had cake, flowers, speeches, a gift card, and about 40 people saying goodbye, etc. Then my supervisor got our work group of about 8 people together for a luncheon. Then all my friends threw an after work dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I wanted NO party, and I ended up with 3.
I said I didn't want a party, so naturally the department got everyone together had cake, flowers, speeches, a gift card, and about 40 people saying goodbye, etc. Then my supervisor got our work group of about 8 people together for a luncheon. Then all my friends threw an after work dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I wanted NO party, and I ended up with 3.
Our school district holds a small reception one afternoon after school (ie. on your own time) for everyone who retired that year. If you worked for five years or for forty years, if you were a janitor, a teacher, or a secretary you received the same "mini" plaque, the same "mini" speech from your immediate boss and the same "mini" ($10) retirement gift. The teachers also received a gift from the Teacher's Union. Most years there would be 20 to 25 retirees sharing the limelight (usually about half to three-quarters showed up).
Each retiree could give a brief (up to five minute speech). And, the retirees and guests and other school employees could enjoy cheese & crackers, a fruit tray, a vegetable tray, soda, coffee & cake.
Each retiree's school would plan a party or celebration (if desired by the retiree). Of course, the employer (the school district) did not pay anything towards the retirement party. It was always held after working hours and the costs where paid by the people who attended the celebration.
When I started in the district in 1979-80 each person who attended the retirement party donated $10 for a gift. Guess what? When I retired almost 30 years later it was still $10 a person. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my party and I received enough of a retirement gift from my friends to buy a cheap airplane ticket to visit my son who lived out of state. So, I was happy.
The family of one of my co-worker (a fellow teacher) was so horrified at how little the employer gave her, after 35 years of dedicated service, that her husband & adult children bought her a several thousand dollar gold Rolex watch as a retirement gift.
Heck, most of us stopped even wearing watches once we retired. I can't even imagine someone wanting a wildly expensive, gold watch when they were 65 years old.
Here, if a VP retires there is a song written and performed by a chorus of employees, a huge lunch that about five thousand workers are chosen to attend, usually several skits and then an long chain of speeches and gift presentations. There is usually another song at the end that the five thousand people try to sing together. Later there is another lunch for about one thousand people that give even more expensive gifts. There is typically a final party for about 500 people were a long line of people get up and tell racy, sexy, horrifying and drunken stories of the person. This is where the really expensive gifts are given, like a car. By the way, feel I should state now that I'm being serious here as crazy as this sounds.
If anyone else retires, security usually escorts you out with a box of your stuff. One time we bought donuts for one of the directors before they were escorted out, I think they were happy about that, I don't know. As soon as someone retires and leaves the building there are usual multiple days worth of picking through and claiming their office supplies. We also try to blame issues on them as long as it seems believable.
A relative worked for 35 years at same company
worked last 10 "working from home", within a team of people working from home around the country.
Off-site Boss called one day and gave the "You have done a fantastic job but we want you to go" speech, and they retired him.
Had to ship his laptop and company docs back ASAP.
No warning, just "see ya"
then 2 weeks later corporate called him and said, being he was there 35 years, he was eligible for a 35 year anniversary party.
He could invite whoever he wanted, budget was $2000
He invited all his non-company friends, relatives and family and had a huge party on them. spent every bit of the $2000
The family of one of my co-worker (a fellow teacher) was so horrified at how little the employer gave her, after 35 years of dedicated service, that her husband & adult children bought her a several thousand dollar gold Rolex watch as a retirement gift.
Heck, most of us stopped even wearing watches once we retired. I can't even imagine someone wanting a wildly expensive, gold watch when they were 65 years old.
Me either. In fact we joked about it at the hospital before I retired and the other nurses made me one out of cheap gold construction paper as a joke!
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