Donate … or ElseI'm the boss. Can I ask my employees to give to my favorite charity?
Posted Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009, at 9:37 AM ETDo you have a real-life do-gooding dilemma? Please send it to and Sandy will try to answer it.
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StumbleUponDear Sandy,
I'm the boss at a small office with fewer than 20 employees. I'm involved in a few local charities, including my kids' school fundraising projects. Can I solicit contributions from my employees for charitable projects I'm involved in? And how do I best handle requests from my employees to donate or participate in their giving?
Thanks!
—Cathy
Sandy:
Based on the number of e-mails I've received from employees asking how to tactfully say no to their bosses' donation requests, my advice is: Don't do it!
Whether you are selling Girl Scout cookies for your adorable daughter or asking your employees to sponsor you in the fun run—or, and here's an extreme case, "encouraging" them to donate to Mitt Romney as this executive did—you can't get away from the fact that you'll also be filling out their performance reviews and determining their next raises. So while your charity work is something to be proud of at home and at work, don't risk even the smallest question of impropriety.
If you decide that you want to solicit donations despite my warnings, make sure to do it with the least pressure possible. Send around an e-mail that explains the cause and asks those who want to donate (voluntarily, of course) to give money anonymously. Better yet, post a sign in the office kitchen or break room with information about the charity and its address or Web site. If your office is part of a larger company, it may be a good idea to check the formal rules about fundraising at the office with your human resources department. If you're the head honcho, consider writing your own formal policy; it could help both you and your employees feel more comfortable in the future.
And what should you do when your employees ask you to give? I think there's a simple check. If you feel uncomfortable, don't give. And certainly don't feel that you have to give equally to everyone who approaches you. Be open to learning about new causes and good efforts, but if it doesn't fit your giving plan, just say that you've already pledged your money to Charity X (the reliable "hug and release" technique).
If your employees seem to have a new request each week, think about finding ways to consolidate their good works. Could you hold a brown bag lunch where people share information about their causes? Or could your office choose one cause that you'd like to focus on as a group? This could be anything from a needy family during the holidays to a local school in September. Just make sure that whatever plan you implement ensures that you applaud the work of those who engage in community work without harassing those who don't feel comfortable (or able) to give.
Do you have another question about giving at work? Please send it to and Sandy will try to answer it.
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I have to commend your "don't do it" advice regarding the employer requesting donations in the office. In the late 80's, I worked for a small property management firm. We were "asked" once a year in a large company wide meeting to agree to and sign papers donating 2-5% of our salary (gross) to United Way. Line employees were "asked" to donate 2% and managers up to 5%. This was done in a large room, with everyone watching you. It was "suggested" that you do this, and it was well known that if you did not sign you could expect your raises to be lower if at all, as well as any advancement potential or promotion would be seriously hindered as well. It was a terrible situation, especially considering that the monies were garnered from pre-tax figures and collected into an in-house account. This account then made the donation in the company's name, giving the company a very large tax write off.
I paid this blood money the first year and refused the second. Sure enough, the second year I was informed the budget was too tight to give me any increase. Of course, every other manager in the place received a raise that year...they donated the 5%. I quit soon after that.
Anytime I am asked to donate to anything by an employer, it is an extremely negative response on my part. I will not donate any of my salary to give my employer a tax write off. I can donate (and do) myself at home and use those benefits myself!
-- DigitalShaman
(To reply, click here)
DON'T DO IT. I had the same experience as the previous poster at my workplace. The annual United Way Campaign was dreaded every year because it was run by the managers who made it clear that saying No was a real No-No. The first year, I thought my diplomatic response suffice (i.e., "I already give a good portion of my income to charities which I have researched and feel a particular affinity too). Apparently, I was the only one who declined so the next year, they punished/shamed me by appointing me the U.W. fundraising chairperson for our branch!!! I declined, again, but knew my hopes for future promotion were probably dashed.
My religion (or lack thereof), my politics, my charitable giving, my hobbies and activities outside of the workplace are nobody's business. I see fundraising activities in the workplace as just another means to pry into my personal life.
As far as putting up posters in the coffee room, e-mails, etc. to advertise the Boss' charity? Well, that just gives the ASS KISSERS a chance to hot foot it to the boss with a generous donation.
-- Ex-Pat
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I worked at a company that had 4-5 charities come in over lunch once a year and give a pitch. You were free to donate to any group you wanted, or none. And the company would match your donation. It was a nice program and low pressure. (Only negative story I have about it was when the overpaid CEO would stand up and brag about how he was contributing to all the groups. That's great, Dave. Give me a 300% raise to get me to half of what you're making and then I'll consider that, too.)
My current employer has a very effective "bribe" in that if you give a certain percentage to one of their designated charities, you get some extra paid time off. Again, low pressure but the carrot definitely gets some extra people to give who might not normally.
Regarding the United Way, it's only fair to note that they are about the only organization I've ever seen that will allow you to stipulate EXACTLY where your money goes. They directly partner with a lot of other charitable groups and you can even write in any group of your choosing and they'll send your donation along to them. I believe that is why many companies invite them in because it maximizes employees' options.
-- sundown
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