The carriage clock is no longer the office leaving gift of choice. Today's departing employees receive gifts ranging from fluffy pencil cases at worst to expensive jewellery at best

Over half of office workers have received a disappointing leaving gift during their careers. A recent survey of 1,000 office workers, by recruitment consultancy Office Angels, found that people attach huge significance to their leaving gifts, with 64 per cent making a direct correlation between its quality and how valued they were as an employee. What's more, 25 per cent of office workers perceive their parting gift to be a reflection of their popularity with their soon to be ex-colleagues.

Top ten most popular gifts:

1. Cash or vouchers - Simple yet effective, 34 per cent of employers prefer to let the departing choose their gift.
2. Jewellery - 27 per cent of workers have been grateful recipient of some expensive jewellery.
3. Bottles or booze - From champagne to a case of wine, one-quarter (25 per cent) of workers take home a bottle or two.
4. Ornaments - Vases, photo frames and even glass cactuses have replaced the traditional carriage clock, with 18 per cent of workers being handed a little something for the mantelpiece.
5. Flowers - Always a favourite, 12 per cent of workers are handed a bouquet on their last day in the office.
6. Clothing or accessories - From briefcases to scarves, one in ten (ten per cent) employees are given accessories.
7. 'Experience' vouchers - From bungee jumping to a spa treatment, eight per cent of employees have taken home a 'day out'.
8. Book - A traditional choice, six per cent of workers receive reading matter when they leave.
9. Stationery - from fluffy pencil cases to address books, stationery is the gift of choice for seven per cent of employers.
10. Photo collage - 'A gift to remember us by' - three per cent of workers receive a photo collage of their colleagues when they leave.

'The research show's employers are spending more time and making more effort to take a personal approach to leaving gifts,' says Paul Jacobs, Managing Director of Office Angels. 'Although that individual may be moving on, companies recognise the contribution they've made to their organisation and also realise it's a small working world and they could come across each other again.'

Is it the thought that counts?

Over one-third of office workers have never bought a leaving present for a colleague and prefer to pass the responsibility on to another colleague. Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) admit to only contributing 'a couple of pounds at the most' to the leaving gift pot. The average present contribution is £1.50. One in ten office workers claim to have given up to £10, although this is usually only when the colleague has become a good friend out of work too.

Although leaving gifts may not always be as lavish or expensive as they used to be, perhaps a consequence of a more dynamic work force with higher turnover, 77 per cent of office workers are grateful to receive a leaving gift from colleagues, and over one-third have a received a gift that they still treasure today.

Need more help choosing a suitable gift? Why not match your gift to your colleagues star sign.

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