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Donate to a workplace supported charity in the annual drive or possibly negatively impact your career? What would you do?

Each year, your workplace supports a drive for a specific charity. There is a tacit expectation is that a minimum amount of $200 will be donated by every employee and that those in advanced positions should give more. This is not a charity which you would normally support of your own volition, but not donating could be a career-limiting move. What would you do?
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cherise
cherise
Marked as Best! October 09, 2009 02:39 AM
Pfft. I caved in and allowed them to deduct $5 per paycheck to the United Way. Over the nine years I was with that company, it amounted to more than $200! I cringed every time I looked at that deduction on my paycheck, too. They STILL let me go when they downsized. Don't give them that inch.
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• Thank you for relating your personal experience. I agree with everyone who said that force giving is not a donation. Encouragement is one thing. Brow-beating, threats, and requirement are quite another.
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sexyme4u
sexyme4u
October 08, 2009 07:05 AM
the best thing to do is donate what you can if your boss do not accept tha then you do not need to be there
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skwerly
skwerly
October 08, 2009 08:29 AM
Oh, heeeeeeeeeelllll no! There is no way that $200.00 should be expected of ANY employee for a charity. That kind of cash could put you in a position to not pay rent or starve a bit, and that is unacceptable. I would take a firm stand on this. After all, a charity isn't quite a charity if it's 'forced', now is it?

In this day and age, demanding even twenty dollars from someone for a gift exchange is stretching it. I wouldn't worry about it affecting your position at work, because if you suffer repercussions for not donating, it's lawyer time. Sounds exactly like political extortion to me.
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windowshop...
windowshop...
October 08, 2009 08:57 AM
That's sort of the catch... in this day and age, with fewer jobs available, people feel more need to keep their positions. So, it puts the company at an unfair advantage over the employees. While I agree with you about it not being a true "donation" when it is forced, this sort of practice has been done at certain companies for decades.
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thebandit
thebandit
October 08, 2009 12:40 PM
Is the amount you donate tracked in any way? You could make a donation of less than $200. While I'm sure the charity is a worthwhile cause, $200 is a lot of money, especially in today's economy. But you'll have donated something, showing you care.
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intrepid
intrepid
October 08, 2009 01:30 PM
I had a similar problem at a past job. There was a huge fundraiser (that you had to attend on your own time) and everybody was expected to contribute a certain amount at the end of the fundraiser. I went to my regional manager (the company is a nationwide chain of retail stores) and explained that I didn't particularly care for the charity that they were supporting, and that I volunteered both time and money to other causes that I believed were more deserving. Naturally I was very polite and tactful during our meeting. In the end she excused me from the mandatory meeting, and I didn't donate a cent to the charity. I didn't have any problems about my choice to not donate. By approaching her beforehand and explaining the situation, and also having proof that I worked and donated to other causes, she was more open to excusing me from the event.

If you don't donate I would document the reaction, and how you are treated before and after the fundraiser. While you probably won't run into any big problems for not donating, it is better to have a record if something does arise.
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lidyax2
lidyax2
October 08, 2009 04:10 PM
Hell, no! But it all depends on what 200$ means to you compares to your salary and the importance of that job for you. If you make over 5000$ a month and have got to give it if you want to keep you job, I say give it. It is for charity after all.
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mahaazar
mahaazar
October 08, 2009 06:50 PM
It is basically wrong to compel anyone for giving to charity. Giving charity depends upon individuals personal wish. In this case, If you do not prefer giving that charity, discuss this matter with the management for possible solutions. If nothing happens and $200 is not a big amount for you, then give it as you have no other options.
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