# The United Was campaign is underway at my workplace... this is what our CEO told us! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 21, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510 "2003-11-21T15:37:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/1 "2003-11-21T15:37:39Z")
This is an exact transcription of the voicemail that I received on 20Nov at 1040AM. The message was from the CEO of the company for which I work. It sounds as if he’s speaking with a few notes, but it doesn’t seems to be a prepared speech. I’ve ommited the “umm”'s and “aahh”'s. Emphasis his. Please, let me know your thoughts. “This is XXX. I’m sending this message to all associates of the company. Couple of things I’d like to talk with you and share with you. It looks like we’re going to have a pretty good year; we’re excited about what’s happened. I think everyone should be pleased with their year-end bonus which will be paid yearly in 2004. We still have six weeks to go and let’s hope everything continues for the final six weeks of the year to be on a success pattern. NOW I’d like to talk to all of you about United Way. I feel very strong in the importance of our company contributing a hundred percent. MANY of you have been very generous and I personally want to thank you. All individuals cannot give equally and we understand that. There isn’t any good excuse why someone cannot donate to United Way. It’s not acceptable. An excuse that’s not acceptable is that my spouse contributes to the company she or he works for. You work for us and we want a hundred percent participation. I’ve asked all officers to donate a minimum of five hundred dollars. I’m asking all directors to give a minimum of two hundred and fifty and overall our officers and directors have been very generous and contributed far above the minimum. An example for all of you; hundred and four dollars, two dollars a week. It’s only two dollars a week. Many of you will go out or myself and you’ll have a beer, and that’s three dollars. Some can give more, some might have to give less. But based on your position in the company, everyone can afford to give something. I’m counting on everyone to contribute something. Today we’re going to post everyone’s name on the internet. Not all have contributed yet but I’m counting on all of you to come through in the next couple of days and we will to continue to update it as the changes take place with donations. Thanks in advance.” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/2 "2003-11-21T15:52:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GrizzRich \* > **Today we’re going to post everyone’s name on the > internet.** Participation through public humiliation. That’s what charity is all about. ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/3 "2003-11-21T15:57:39Z")
I’m betting that the United Way would _not_ be behind that jackasses actions. In fact, they specifically ask on their forms whether you want your name revealed to whom you are donating. If I were you, I would call the United Way and ask whether this is kosher. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/4 "2003-11-21T16:28:09Z")
United Way has a [policy statement](http://national.unitedway.org/aboutuw/coercion.cfm) against coercion, for what that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/5 "2003-11-21T16:33:27Z")
Holy crap. I’d be furious. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/6 "2003-11-21T16:40:56Z")
> [@](#): > > There isn’t any good excuse why someone cannot donate > to United Way. It’s not acceptable. How about “It’s my money and I’ll do what I damn well please with it”? How’s that for an excuse? ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/7 "2003-11-21T16:43:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tdn \* > \*\*Participation through public humiliation. That’s what charity is all about. \*\* And, sure enough, the list of everyone in the organization and their level of giving IS posted on our company’s website. ---
**Author:** ![Fox\_Paws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/85e7bf/32.png) [@Fox\_Paws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fox_Paws)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/8 "2003-11-21T16:47:22Z")
I decided to bypass the United Way process this year and instead give directly to a couple of the organizations supported by the local UW. I put a big $0.00 on my form and turned it in. I’m expecting a visit from my boss any time now… ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/9 "2003-11-21T16:47:32Z")
If I worked for this company and had been donating, I’d withdraw immediately after hearing this nonsense. This assbag doesn’t care about helping anyone, just about making his company look good. Screw that. Of course, I’d make a recording of that message first just in case my job was suddenly not needed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/10 "2003-11-21T16:48:38Z")
You gonna do anything, **Grizz**? No pressure, just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/11 "2003-11-21T16:52:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ENugent \* > \*\*United Way has a [policy statement](http://national.unitedway.org/aboutuw/coercion.cfm) against coercion, for what that’s worth. \*\* Strange. I worked for a fortune 100 company in the early nineties that had a similar ‘policy’ regarding United Way donations. Coincidence, or is there some underlying motivation for companies to behave this way? ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/12 "2003-11-21T16:53:22Z")
I _sputter_ just…holy shit. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around this guy’s tactics. This is wrong on so many levels. It has to be illegal for the company you work for to try to FORCE you to pay anything out of your pocket for a charity that a supervisor supports. Even if the company officially supported a charity, it shouldn’t be able to do this to their employees. I mean, hell, if my company supported Greenpeace or something, what if I don’t have anything against what their trying to accomplish, but don’t like the way the organization is run? I don’t have a choice? So, what, if the people in your company don’t give in to the threat of public humiliation, will this guy turn up the heat and threaten their jobs?? What the HELL? What if he supported, say, something more fringe like, Satanists for Goat Fucking and Human Sacrifice? I am stymied. I keep reading it. **But based on your position in the company, everyone can afford to give something.** This is what leads me to believe that if you don’t contribute a sufficient amount to appease him, your “position” in the company may be in question. AACK. Perhaps a consultation with a lawyer is in order if you happen to like your job otherwise. In fact, I hope you don’t have to jump off this cliff all by yourself. How do your co-workers feel about this? Any word at all? People afraid to talk about it, lest they become the next virgin to be thrown into the volcano? I’d like to see this practice come to an end…good luck and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/13 "2003-11-21T16:56:09Z")
Fuck that. Fuck them. If you feel strongly about the United Way, Donate from outside your company, and inform your CEO or manager when you get grilled. If you support another organization, donate to them and report to your officer the same. This is like the third time I’ve seen this here in the pit in recent months and I hope it isn’t a trend. “Donation by force”. :mad: Seriously, though, whatever you do, don’t give in. Or maybe insult them and give $1, not $100 Sam ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/14 "2003-11-21T16:58:54Z")
for now…I’m sitting on my hands. I doubt my job would be in jeopardy, but my bonus next year might be! (at least, that’s what I infer from the voicemail!) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/15 "2003-11-21T16:59:48Z")
Holy shit. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/16 "2003-11-21T17:03:35Z")
I’m sure your CEO can afford to give quite a bit. It’s not hard to donate $500-$1,000 when you have a yearly salary in the MILLIONS! But if you (only) make $35K it’s a bit more difficult, especially if you have kids. But we can’t expect a CEO to understand that. If this happened at my work, I’d start looking for another job right away. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/17 "2003-11-21T17:07:05Z")
Grizz- A firing or bonus reduction based on contributions to a charity is most likely illegal(duh), and I’m sure if you were properly prepared, you could make an impression upon management. GaWd I’m a fucking crusader… ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/18 "2003-11-21T17:09:07Z")
Isn’t that sweet! They’re letting dickheads run companies now. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/19 "2003-11-21T17:11:14Z")
Can one of the lawyers who posts here weigh in on the legality of both the coercive nature of the request for funds and the posting of personal financial information? ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510/20 "2003-11-21T17:17:52Z")
I refuse to donate to United Way. Their administration gets paid way to much. I want my money going to the charity itself, plus the UW funds sexist, homophobic organizations like the Boy Scouts. My work has a jar on the clerks desk for donations to the Children’s Miracle Network. We do a lot of fundraisers and projects for CMN. Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake is a lot like Shriner’s. They help sick children, injured children and handicapped children regardless of whether the parents can pay or not. CMN helps fund the hospital. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-was-campaign-is-underway-at-my-workplace-this-is-what-our-ceo-told-us/214510.md?page=2)