I teach in universities as adjunct (contract) faculty. For over a decade now, United Way has been contacting me at work through various universities. Every year they ask, every year I tell them never to contact me again. But this is a once-a-year-dance, so no big deal.
I am also starting to be asked by my department to give cash for Christmas gifts to staff. I can’t imagine asking a subordinate to give me money, and think this is wrong: am I old-fashioned? Crazy? (Not that the staff don’t deserve it, of course. I just think the people at the top with secure jobs pulling down six figures should be the ones to pony up.)
Now we are also being asked to do community fundraising, both to give ourselves and to encourage students to attend fundraising events. I’ve refused point-blank because I think it’s flat-out unethical to ask students to spend money on something not directly related to their education in my courses. I agree with the missions of all the charities being supported, and can’t fault people’s hearts. I just sense a bit of performative morality, and that’s not a game I want to play at work. Plus, I really do feel the pressure to attend these events (as it’s obvious who doesn’t go), and I don’t think work should be pay-to-play more than it already is.
This is a broader trend of being asked for spare change not just by the indigent, but by the wealthy (every time I go to the grocery store, pet store; cafés and take-out places ask for tips; restaurants have abandoned the 15% tip and are pushing for 18%, 20%, or even 25%). Plus Facebook’s birthday fundraisers, gofundme, etc.: asking people for cash no longer seems to be taboo the same way it is in my half-century-old head.
So, my humble opinion is that workplace charity should be conducted by employers on the company’s / institution’s behalf, but not by employees, and funds should not be raised FROM employees. Teachers and professors should not be asking students for money except when directly related to education. Corporations are welcome to sell items and services at a profit of their determination, but should not ask for us to donate more on top of that.
I mean, late capitalism and greed are things in our culture; I know this trend cannot be stopped. But am I wrong to think it’s unethical? Am I the only one exhausted by the constant appeals from everybody, and the only one who feels bad about saying no every time (but still say no every time)?