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Worker calls out company for asking for donations to help a struggling coworker: 'A lot of us are already struggling to make ends meet as it is'

All throughout the 2000s and 2010s, we used to eat up "goodwill" stories about people banding together to donate PTO to help a seriously ill team member or crowdfunding to help cover the costs and medical debt of members of the community who were experiencing personal tragedy and medical hardship. While it is great to see people who are able to lend a helping hand—and while these acts of charity are not to be diminished… All this really begs questioning, questioning that is finally being asked more and more frequently in discourse online where these types of stories are no longer viewed purely as "wholesome" or "heartwarming" but rather as a sign of the dystopian, socially divided future we're racing toward.

That question is not "why should we help others?" No, helping others is a vital part of our nature. A thriving community is what we would hope sets us apart from other natural beings. Rather, "Why do these people need our help in the first place?" and "Why is the onus of aide being placed upon us?"

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Posted by Brad Dickson
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  • Let's use this instance as an example… Rather than seeking to seemingly do something kind by organizing for the lowest-level (probably underpaid) workers to "pitch in" and raise a sizeable fund to support a fellow struggling underpaid worker who is facing insecurity in their life… Why doesn't the company provide that support itself? Especially when that amount of money is a drop in the bucket to an organization the size of the one the worker—the original poster of this story—reportedly works for. 

    The worker shared screenshots of the initial request, along with the discussion that took place in the workplace's group messaging platform afterward.

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  • 1
    I have a question on this email...why is the company asking us as employees to donate, instead of just directly giving what is needed to the employee? I would think the company as a whole has more resources
    Via Annie Spratt
  • 2

    The original message that was sent to workers by management

    Hi team, I am reaching out to share news that one of our team members has recently faced unexpected challenges, starting with a 9- hour power outage that spoiled all the food in their home and a flooded apartment resulting in displacement of their home. In moments like these, our strengths as a team shines brightest when we come together to support one another. We have always been counted on to do the right thing and to help others. If you would like to donate, your support would be deeply appre
    Via beckyloowho
  • 3

    The worker, and original poster of this thread, responds with a pointed question

    Today 10:13 AM I have a question on this email...why is the company asking us as employees to donate, instead of just directly giving what is needed to the employee? I would think the company as a whole has more resources than each individual employee. In addition I'm sure a lot of us are already struggling to make ends meet as it is, and are unable to support another person as much as we would like to. In addition it would most likely be more efficient to have the donations come directly from o
    Via beckyloowho
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  • 4

    Another member of their team weighs in, in support of the original request

    You ever heard of Pay it forward? My Wife and I have been paying for Storage for 3 yrs now and have Tons of Furniture from Two houses. They Reached out because it's People like us that have the Resources to Help these families, So before you Judge, think before you Speak. Instead of making a Buck, I'd rather donate what we have to help someone else out that really needs it.
    Via beckyloowho
  • 5
    if you have any questions. about that email, please direct them to me or or another supervisor directly. The main chat is not really the best forum for it.
    Via beckyloowho
  • 6

    While no support was received from their colleagues, members of this online community were quick to offer their praise...

    Imaybereptar • 7h ago Good on you for doing it publicly, tbh more companies need to be called out in front of all of their employees ✩ 1.7K ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
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  • 7
    Internal-Disaster-61 7h ago • Ugh, these kinds of emails make my eyes roll so far back into my skull that it hurts. Have received these before, along with the "if anyone would like to donate any of their vacation days" ones as well. Really?!? Can't the company just give them some extra time off?!? Insanity ↑ 288 288 ☐ ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
  • 8
    Special_Grapefroot 7h ago "We have so much from our two houses." So uh, again I ask, why are you asking the $20/hour employees to tap into their own finances. ✩ 1.5K ✓ ✓ Share 도
    Via beckyloowho
  • 9
    ChutzpahQ • 7h ago Two houses......so out of touch with the reality of the majority of people 428 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
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  • 10
    JennaSais • 7h ago . The person who responded to you is such a tool, from the humblebrag about how much stuff they have down to the weird- capitalization habits. Condolences for having to work with that kind of person. 167 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
  • 11
    splitinfinitive22222 6h ago ⋅ ...that's not what "Pay it Forward" means. Boot-licking 138 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
  • 12
    54sharks40 .7h ago You said the quiet part out loud That dork's old furniture has nothing to do with it ↑ 75 ) ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
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  • 13
    DiligentCrab6592 • 7h ago So the company isn't matching or anything? It's laughable that at that rate your expected "donate". What a ☆ 51 ♡ D ↑ Share ...
    Via beckyloowho
  • 14
    Garrden 6h ago ⋅ paying for storage for 3 years now That doesn't look like a good choice. financially ↑ 48 ↑ Share ...
    Via beckyloowho
  • 15
    RaccoonObjective5674 • 6h ago All of that unwarranted capitalization hurts my eyes. ↑ 37 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
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  • 16
    fighter_rabbit • 6h ago "they reached out because it's people like us that have the resources to help" alright good for you.. i don't Imao. and you know who else has the resources? the billionaires. ↑ 34 ↑ Share ...
    Via beckyloowho
  • 17
    Geek-Yogurt • 6h ago Oh, and "direct this question elsewhere and not in public chat" is a direct violation of the NLRA. File a complaint with the NLRB. ↑ 29 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
  • 18
    nevermore-exe . 6h ago I'm guessing the who responded is a higher-up on salary trying to pat their own back while gaslighting the people making hourly wage. 21 ☐ I ✓ Share
    Via beckyloowho
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  • 19
    mcflame13 . 6h ago For like that. The company should TRIPLE the amount donated. So let's say someone donates $50. The company matches and triples that amount to $150. So a $50 donation would now be a $200 donation. ↑ 20 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho
  • 20
    alilbleedingisnormal • 6h ago Imagine being the guy virtue signaling to protect the company instead of asking what the company is doing. Useful idiots. ↑ 20 ↑ Share
    Via beckyloowho

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