This company puts in so much effort and time with UW. We always tout the $$s donated, but don't mention the overhead that goes into the annual program. I wouldn't be surprised if we spent 1/2 of what was brought in through donations via free lunch on kickoff day, salaries for organization of annual program, lost productivity, etc. This isn't necessarily a bad thing since at the end of the day money is being made for less fortunate people. I just struggle internally with whether or not the juice is worth the squeeze.
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Fairly clear how most people feel based on these responses. And yet, we keep on with the charade. Free speech isn’t really free is it?
I am not a believer in UW either. I like the analogy of the middleman, very true as my understanding of the organization also. I think we mostly all agree, give the minimum donation to get the freebies and let the company hit their target #. Then save your real donations for your charity of choice that supports what you truly have passion for.
United Way isn’t so much a charity as it is a middleman redistributing donations for a sizable fee. Find charities you like and cut out the administrative costs of UW. Just as Alexis said, give $20 and call it a day.
Give $20 with a one-time payroll deduction to check the box and boost participation rates. That will more or less get the charity enforcers off your backs. Enjoy all the freebies, and time off. Smile and play the game. Go woke and go broke. More virtue signaling. It’s not your mother’s United Way.
Thanks HR troll.
Some of us give to our preferred charities already and don’t need BigBrother conoco telling us where to send our money. Sure the company comes out with a tax write off and can pretend to care about “people.” But it’s all smoke and mirrors as usual to distract from the incompetence of its leadership and failure as an independent.
In my opinion, UW is worth the time, effort and money. Not only does UW get donations, but the Day-of-Caring provides local non-profit organizations with some free support from a local company. The Day-of-Caring provides an environment outside work to share an experience with our colleagues, better than the stupid team building exercises that management want us to do. It’s important that a company is active and give back to their community and makes COP special. The cost including salaries, lunch, kickoff day is so small when compared to any other corporate sponsorships and the size of the company.
The UW is part of COP culture. What is so bad about the company with this kind of culture.
What would the world be without these types of programs?
P.S. I am not a HR troll