Employers should ban work place collections. They always make people uncomfortable. Eventually, people get low morale and begin arguing about which cause they will or will not support. Or who donated and who did not.

Jennifer

Propose a collections corner, it is very distracting to have people come to you while you are working and if there is a desk or table with candies coffee tins and other things people can visit or not visit it as they see fit.

Don't feel wrong for not donating money or buying something while you are doing your job! If someone comes to your desk, explain to them that you would rather be approached during a different time (breaks, lunch, in the morning before you actually get started on work). Or simply tell them you will get back to them later during a more acceptable and convenient time (whether you plan on giving any money or not).  

If you just do not participate in donating at work or buying fundraising items, tell them that. Tell them it is neither a good time or place for you or that you have already done your part outside of the office in terms of those kind of activities. Telling them you are not interested in partcipating should be sufficient enough.

If all else fails, put a sign on your desk that says "If it isn't work related, don't ask me." : )

Your employer should really establish some rules if this is a constant issue.

When solicited don't feel you need to make blanket statements like, "I don't donate at work". It comes across as abrasive and crotchety.

Instead, I'd say something like:

"No thank you". Simple, quick, honest. Add a smile for good measure

"Sorry but I'm strapped." Plays on their sympathy and may fend them off for future requests

"My sister's kids already hit me up." Gives them a hint that you've been bombarded already, while being polite.

Generally, when I had fundraiser materials to distribute at work, I always relied on the lunchroom. I would either stand up in the middle of lunch and make an announcement about what goods I had available as a fundraiser, or I would place the order form on the table and tape a sign to it explaining who it's for.

A quick thought for you: Why DON'T you donate at work? Sure it's annoying, and it costs money. But it goes to good causes, and these poor kids have the sale foisted on them too. You're helping out kids, a good cause, and creating good relations with your coworkers (plus you get summer sausage or gift wrap). Look at it as a win-win-win-win. Let that heart grow a little and just swallow it down. :)

Many businesses have rightfully banned fund raising solicitations in the workplace. In addition to being a distraction from the actual purpose for being there - work - it is an uncomfortable situation.

When approached by yet another co-worker with a collection can or order form, ask yourself two questions:

Do I have a social relationship with this person outside of work? Some people build a social life around the workplace. Others, like myself, go to work, do our jobs and have a completely separate life from work.

If this person was a stranger who knocked on my door for their fundraiser, would I buy or donate? There should never be a feeling of obligation to donate to a cause or charity that someone doesn't believe in just because a co-worker supports it.

In a CNN.com article from December 2000, Ann Humphries addresses this very issue. This isn't a new problem.

When my own kids were little and involved in Scouts, school fundraisers and beyond, I had a different technique. Never once did I send an order form to work with their father (or later take one to work myself). We actually went out as a family to knock on doors. When I was chairman of the PTO, we went to a college campus to sell candy bars. As a Brownie leader, we went door to door. These were fundraisers for activities my children were involved in and it was important for THEM to actually participate in the process - not collect a trinket for having the most orders because mommy and daddy begged all of their co-workers to order.

If you can afford it and want it then buy what they are selling. If not, don't throw your money away. I think with school fundraisers you can donate money, so instead of spending $26.99 on wrapping paper you'll never use, you could simply donate $5 or $10 if you feel you must give something. I have never had a problem turning them down because I simply cannot afford it. No guilt there.