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Helping those in need is very important, whether through charitable efforts, volunteer work, or other forms of support. However, it’s essential to remain cautious, as sometimes, malicious intentions lurk behind such initiatives.
For example, consider the case of redditor u/Between_my_ears, whose workplace collected annual charitable donations, even when some employees were facing financial difficulties themselves.
Surprisingly, there was an ulterior motive behind this enforced charity, with someone else benefiting from the goodwill of these employees. You can find the complete story below.
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Companies use shady tactics to look good when making donations to the public
Image credits: Anna Shvets (not the actual photo)
Just like this lady’s employers, who had secret motives when they made her donate money
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
Image credits:Liza Summer (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Between_my_ears
Many employees are compelled to donate against their will or without doing so voluntarily
When it comes to company-wide donation and volunteer programs, the phrase “I gave at the office” can mean “I was compelled to give at the office.”
Corporate giving and volunteer efforts are typically positive, but sometimes they can become problematic. Some managers, in their eagerness to make big contributions and receive recognition, pressure employees.
Many employees are eager to help, but some who have valid reasons for not giving may feel guilty or fear negative consequences like being judged or punished by their managers.
Companies put pressure on their employees primarily to gain recognition and bragging rights. They often showcase their donation amounts on websites or use them to secure a spot on prestigious lists in magazines and newspapers.
Image credits: Allef Vinicius (not the actual photo)
Companies like organizations that streamline the donation process and make everything easier for them
Additionally, companies favor organizations like United Way because they streamline the donation process and help shield them from other fundraising solicitations. United Way simplifies contributions for employers by channeling funds to multiple charities through a single campaign. Notably, some employees dislike that a portion of their contributions goes toward covering United Way’s overhead, preferring to donate directly to charities.
United Way of America has been battling employer pressure for years, said spokesperson Philip Jones. He explained, “The greatest challenge arises when an employer is strongly motivated to perform well in the annual workplace campaign and becomes excessively enthusiastic in their approach.”
Jones gave an example: “One man was called in by his superiors multiple times, even for a weekend meeting with HR, to explain why he didn’t want to donate. Not long after, he lost his job. While he can’t prove it, he believes that his refusal to donate was a major reason for his termination.”
According to Jones, companies should ease up. He added that it’s a reason for concern whenever a company claims full participation because not everyone may be in a position to donate. If you donate to United Way at work, you can let charities know that you’ve already given through your workplace. Hopefully, it matches your intended donation.
Image credits: fauxels (not the actual photo)
Commentators shared some similar stories that happened to them
They expressed many opinions regarding the story
What do you think ?
P.A. Yearsley 2 years ago
Maybe I'm a jerk. Working for a bank who makes literally billions in profits each quarter, I figure if they want to provide charity they will find a way. But I sure as hell won't be donating part of my meager salary.
DB 2 years ago
Staff was way behind in training, so the store manager divided them into teams and gave each assistant manager a goal of getting their team finished by within two weeks. As an incentive whichever assistant (there were four of us) got their team finished first would get a $50 Visa gift card. I told my team we'd spend the $50 on pizza. Took us only 4 days.
DC 2 years ago
I hate that. Such attempts ... once they said "it's volutary", I just said no. I give what I see fit already, I have decided on what is to receive any of my hard-earned and desperately needed money, and concluded that I only donate towards nonhuman animals, as the neglect of their needs and the ignorance towards their misery is vastly worse than 99 % of humans have it, even in the so-called first world. I only donate towards animals, end of. No discussion. I don't have to give anyone anything in the first place, and if I do, I am to decide where it goes, not some company, let alone one that doesn't pay me extraordinarily well.
WindySwede 2 years ago
or when an employee comes with a paper to order things for their kids class trip...
Load More Replies...
DE Ray 2 years ago
Big companies do this because if they "collect" the donations for the charity, they are able to slap their name on the check written to the charity and take the huge tax write-off. Your $24 donation wouldn't be enough to qualify for a tax exemption, but multiply that by 1,000 employees, and suddenly that can mean hundreds of thousands of not millions the company doesn't have to pay the government. Same thing with stores - the cashier asking if you want to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar for charity? The company writes that off their taxes.
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
I was told that they were considering firing me because I REFUSED to donate through work. I WILL NOT give to a charity that takes over 50% of the donations for "administrative fee's - then gives money to the smaller charities to take their Admin fee's out of. These are rich men's scams. united way is one of the worst., When taken to the carpet and asked why donating through them was better than giving direct - the tap dancing would have made Gene Ke;lly proud. Give to a LOCAL food bank - stock up the food pantries, But KNOW who is really getting your money.
Funhog 2 years ago
Personally, I research a charity before making any donations -- especially important to me is how much the beneficiaries of said charity actually receive vs. how much of the donations are used for the charity's marketing. This became important to me after I'd once donated $20 to a charity, then received stickers, a calendar, pens, note cards, and a tote bag -- all of which had clearly cost the charity more than my small one-time donation.
Trisec Tebeakesse 2 years ago
I have volunteered for a youth organization my entire adult life. Every year, there is a fundraising campaign among the participating adults and volunteers, including all the leaders. Each and every year, I politely decline because I contribute something more valuable than money - my time.
Erin Geiger 2 years ago
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is that you? Same s**t.everyone had to participate. I stopped when the head of the charity asking for money came in with a Louie V purse. Hard no
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
Nope, it was scholastic book fairs for me.
Load More Replies...
Cyber Returns 2 years ago
My brother worked for a company that tried to do this. He contacted the charity and told them what was going on, and the charity refused donations from the company because, as they said, "We don't except donations collected by extortion. Not only is it unethical but also illegal!" The charity 'donations' stopped rather suddenly
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
They were not working with united way then - they love extortion.
Load More Replies...
BradGfromDaBoo 2 years ago
they also get the credit for donations on taxes, when you go to stores and they ask if you want to donate they also get a tax break from the donations. if you want to donate you should do it yourself and get the tax break
P.A. Yearsley 2 years ago
Maybe I'm a jerk. Working for a bank who makes literally billions in profits each quarter, I figure if they want to provide charity they will find a way. But I sure as hell won't be donating part of my meager salary.
DB 2 years ago
Staff was way behind in training, so the store manager divided them into teams and gave each assistant manager a goal of getting their team finished by within two weeks. As an incentive whichever assistant (there were four of us) got their team finished first would get a $50 Visa gift card. I told my team we'd spend the $50 on pizza. Took us only 4 days.
DC 2 years ago
I hate that. Such attempts ... once they said "it's volutary", I just said no. I give what I see fit already, I have decided on what is to receive any of my hard-earned and desperately needed money, and concluded that I only donate towards nonhuman animals, as the neglect of their needs and the ignorance towards their misery is vastly worse than 99 % of humans have it, even in the so-called first world. I only donate towards animals, end of. No discussion. I don't have to give anyone anything in the first place, and if I do, I am to decide where it goes, not some company, let alone one that doesn't pay me extraordinarily well.
WindySwede 2 years ago
or when an employee comes with a paper to order things for their kids class trip...
Load More Replies... DE Ray 2 years ago
Big companies do this because if they "collect" the donations for the charity, they are able to slap their name on the check written to the charity and take the huge tax write-off. Your $24 donation wouldn't be enough to qualify for a tax exemption, but multiply that by 1,000 employees, and suddenly that can mean hundreds of thousands of not millions the company doesn't have to pay the government. Same thing with stores - the cashier asking if you want to round up your purchase to the nearest dollar for charity? The company writes that off their taxes.
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
I was told that they were considering firing me because I REFUSED to donate through work. I WILL NOT give to a charity that takes over 50% of the donations for "administrative fee's - then gives money to the smaller charities to take their Admin fee's out of. These are rich men's scams. united way is one of the worst., When taken to the carpet and asked why donating through them was better than giving direct - the tap dancing would have made Gene Ke;lly proud. Give to a LOCAL food bank - stock up the food pantries, But KNOW who is really getting your money.
Funhog 2 years ago
Personally, I research a charity before making any donations -- especially important to me is how much the beneficiaries of said charity actually receive vs. how much of the donations are used for the charity's marketing. This became important to me after I'd once donated $20 to a charity, then received stickers, a calendar, pens, note cards, and a tote bag -- all of which had clearly cost the charity more than my small one-time donation.
Trisec Tebeakesse 2 years ago
I have volunteered for a youth organization my entire adult life. Every year, there is a fundraising campaign among the participating adults and volunteers, including all the leaders. Each and every year, I politely decline because I contribute something more valuable than money - my time.
Erin Geiger 2 years ago
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is that you? Same s**t.everyone had to participate. I stopped when the head of the charity asking for money came in with a Louie V purse. Hard no
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
Nope, it was scholastic book fairs for me.
Load More Replies... Cyber Returns 2 years ago
My brother worked for a company that tried to do this. He contacted the charity and told them what was going on, and the charity refused donations from the company because, as they said, "We don't except donations collected by extortion. Not only is it unethical but also illegal!" The charity 'donations' stopped rather suddenly
Gardener of Weeden 2 years ago
They were not working with united way then - they love extortion.
Load More Replies... BradGfromDaBoo 2 years ago
they also get the credit for donations on taxes, when you go to stores and they ask if you want to donate they also get a tax break from the donations. if you want to donate you should do it yourself and get the tax break
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