"Pay It Forward" -- Nice Gesture or Stupid Stunt?

Great Debates
41

So, they got their regular bonuses, free video cameras, AND they got to make a nice donation to an organization of their choosing.

Gee golly! That big money grubbing bank sure is run by meanies!

Sure, NO business will do anything that doesn’t at least somewhat benefit them. So yeah, in that regard I’m sure it’s a bit of a stunt, but I’d argue that the ends justify the means. Not only is it a good way for the bank to make their annual donations, but it is also a great way for them to allow the employees to be part of the charitable aspect of the bank.

42

What you do is find a poor stripper…

43

It’s a great way to “reengineer” the corporate philanthropy department. Give everyone one grand, fire three people who spend all day reading grants. Perfect.

44

Where do you see that?

45

But what if you don’t look like Marlon Brando?

46

Suse’s post 38:

47

I would love this. I would be able to put $1000 into the cashbox of a couple of local charities and make their day.

Recording myself with a video camera? Embarrassing, but I’d do it if I had to to get the money.

I’m constantly wishing I had more to give one rescue organization.

48

I wonder how the bank would feel if you filmed your self buying booze for homeless people? Thats still a charitable act.

49

hmm…I usually write “Turd Ferguson” on those.

I love the idea of paying things forward, but this does seem like chiefly a publicity stunt. But since it does help a lot of people, its one that I can live with.

50

But, what if you the “people in need” are in your family?

51

“Charity begins at home”

52

Well, for one: you’re already getting your regular bonus and a free video camera- both very nice gifts from any employer.

Secondly, if your family is so truly in need, donate to the organization that helps you out. Do you frequent the soup kitchen? Give back to them so they can help you and your family more. Do you frequent one of those places that gives suits to poor people? Great. Take this opportunity to say thank you in a way you never would have before.

But quite seriously: I doubt most bank employees (even the part time ones) that are getting Christmas bonuses and video cameras are the main soup kitchen demographic.

53

One may be a well off bank employee with their immediate family needs already taken care of (your spouse and kids). I’m talking about maybe a sister/brother, cousin/uncle or your mother/father that has fallen on hard times and could use the money directly.

54

I don’t have any problem with it other than the videotaping “requirement”

For those of you who don’t like it at all…how does this compare to the public school community service hours to graduate requirements that are common?

55

From the OP: "Employees were told not to use the money for themselves, their families or families of other bank employees. "

56

Having seen similar ideas before, I’m guessing that the bank will take all the video footage and use it as promotional material. It’s not just for proof that you’ve spent the money charitably. They’ll get some editing guy to knit all the shots of happy kids & homeless people together with a nice message about the bank.

So… given that this has the potential to be a very powerful ad campaign, maybe those dollars (1000 x number of employees) are being very well spent. Compared to paying an advertising agency to produce something this might be cheaper, and more ‘authentic’ - the PR holy grail. Plus the increase to staff morale.

All that still doesn’t make charity a bad thing to do - at worst I think you can say this is one of the better ideas of how to combine publicity with charity. But it’s easy to see how they can profit from the scheme.

57

It doesn’t compare at all. Work and school are two different things. Work is voluntary. School is required. Although graduation isn’t.

When you work you are paid for services rendered. ASFAIK, requiring someone to work without recompense is illegal.

Can you link to a couple of schools that have such requirements?

58

Excellent point! I assume you’re suggesting that requiring that of students whose choices (and that of their parents) are pretty much limited is much more onerous than requiring that of employees who are free to take their job skills anywhere they want.

Here’s a link to the Chicago Public Schools’ community service requirement.

59

As a Festivus gift, right?