Business tries to pay employees in pizza for representing the company at local charity: 'Asked us to do paid charity work then changed it to unpaid at the last minute'

If workers aren't being paid for their time, the real charity is the business itself…

Businesses love to "contribute" to charity almost as much as they love using pizza parties as a band-aid solution for morale. For one thing, it's a great look for the business after the marketing team gets its hands on the photos taken on the day and then makes a bunch of social media posts grossly exaggerating the company's involvement and contributions. Even more importantly, almost all expenses involved in the affair can be used as a tax write-off; it's basically like free advertisement.

While that's not quite how tax write-offs work, donating things and money is relatively straightforward; it quickly gets more complicated as soon as employees are involved and contribute their time and the cost of their labor to the cause. Now, even though it's "for charity," you're going to have to pay them as long as they're being required to as part of their job… If they're expected to show up to "volunteer" representing the company, that definitely counts. It's not nearly the same thing as the employees spontaneously deciding to contribute their free time for the greater good. In this case, another "greater good" is involved, called "placating your employer."

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  • These workers were encouraged to sign up for a company initiative to work at a local charity. When they signed up, they were told they'd spend a half day working at the charity before returning to the office and that they'd be paid for the full day with lunch provided (but not pizza—for once!) However, the deal was quickly altered when the company tried to get out of paying the workers for the time worked at the charity, then being altered further when the provided lunch was revealed to be… pizza! This means that, effectively, workers would be paid in pizza for that half day of work. 

    Frustrated and further incensed by emails sent by their manager, declaring their disappointment that workers no longer wanted to “volunteer” and virtue signaling their own dedication to charity in the form of the donations they made to their children's swanky private school, this employee shared the story to this popular online workplace community sparking discussion on the topic.

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    via Alan Hardman
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  • Company asked us to do paid charity work then changed it to unpaid at the last minute. It went over like a lead balloon. So my job wanted to do some local charity work, which is obviously a PR stunt, while wearing company gear and having someone take photos. The initial idea was we'd work at the charity area for 4 hours then go back to the office for the other half of the day but we'd be paid like it was a full day. On top of
    via Away_Location
  • that, we'd get a free lunch that wasn't pizza. For a bunch of office workers who don't get much sunlight, this seemed like a good deal. A couple of days before the event, they changed it to Saturday. They said it was for 'logistic' reasons and it would allow more people to volunteer (there was also a rumor they didn't run this by corporate).
    via Away_Location
  • Since it's on a Saturday, it wouldn't be paid. And for lunch, they'd get us pizza to make it easier on everyone so we wouldn't have to drive to another location. Needless to say, over 90% of those who volunteered crossed their names off the signup sheet the Friday before and the event was cancelled due to lack of
    via Away_Location
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  • people. We got an email from the branch manager the following Monday about how disappointed he was in us and how we let down the organization we were working with. And how he practices what he preaches and donates so much of his personal money to charities (he donates to the private school he and his kids attended). I don't really see how donating to a bunch of rich kids is a charity but you do you.
    via Away_Location
  • I'm still laughing about it. It's pretty stupid to think people. would fall for such a huge bait and switch.
    via Away_Location
  • ZheeGrem 12h ago • So they expected to get a substantial PR benefit from participating at the charity event at no cost to themselves by having the employees assume the labor expense, and they're upset. that the employees didn't go along with it. My heart bleeds for them.
    via Away_Location
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  • Bitter_Afternoon... 12h ago I love how it was specified. that it would not be pizza, but then its pizza anyway. Ahahaha
    via Away_Location
  • SDinCH 11h ago Saturday for logistics is hilarious. People have kids. and hobbies and many don't want to see co workers more than the 40+ hours they already spend with them
    via Away_Location
  • MarthaMacGuyver 10h ago My rich cousin put her 2 kids in private bougie school. Every fall, we get the family email asking for donations for the school. You're paying $40k+ a year for your kids to go to school. Pretty sure they don't need help buying school supplies.
    via Away_Location
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  • Another friend shared a gofund me for her colleague to help fund IVF treatment. They are both psychiatrists making $600k+ a year. Get outta here with the entitlement to other people's money.
    via Away_Location
  • kokorobosoi_38 11h ago . My last job? Wanted us to "work" a convention. Sure! Gets us out of the same four walls let's go! Then it was unpaid..... maybe...least the convention. will be fun I guess? We can take shifts at the booth?
    via Away_Location
  • THEN it was "each employee must pay for their ticket ($100) not leave the booth, and get a certain amount of ...I no longer work for them.
    via Away_Location
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  • Barbiedaw183 • 10h ago I'm proud of everyone that crossed their name off the list.
    via Away_Location
  • Joey_BagaDonut... . 11h ago They just don't get that the average worker isn't afforded the outlook that THEY have. Totally disconnected, they do this , then get upset about it like spoiled children would.
    via Away_Location
  • zanne54 • 11h ago Time to contact corporate, again, and forward them the whiny email.
    via Away_Location
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  • YomiKuzuki • 11h ago We got an email from the branch manager the following Monday about how disappointed he was in us and how we let down the organization we were working with. He's upset that he doesn't get his unpaid PR stunt to happen.
    via Away_Location
  • And how he practices what he preaches and donates so much of his personal money to charities (he donates to the private school he and his kids attended). I don't really see how donating to a bunch of rich kids is a charity but you do you.
    via Away_Location
  • "Unfortunately, I do not make enough to do the same. I also only have so much free time a week, and that free time is divided between spending time with family and running errands, so I also cannot sacrifice any free time."
    via Away_Location
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  • Internal_Air6426 • 10h ago 8 or 12 of the office employees should send him an email inviting him to come and work at a charity of their choice on Saturday and see what his response is. I'm betting that he's not giving up a Saturday away from his home family hobbies etc unless he gets paid for it.
    via Away_Location
  • throwawaytrumper • 9h ago My boss had all the guys in our company do some charity work for an organization. They had some drainage issues and some flagstones that needed replacing, we sent earthmovers and carpenters.
    via Away_Location
  • The way we did it, at noon on Friday they asked who was interested, we did the work on the clock, then the owner handed out gift cards and company swag for going beyond the scope of our regular duties at the end of it, plus burgers for all. That's how a company should do things, but maybe one in a hundred does.
    via Away_Location
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  • Abrandnewrapture • 11h ago He doesnt donate to the private school his kids attend. he pays for them to go there. I'd also foward this up the chain of command, to hr, whoever is above the person who pulled this 1. Someone should be embarassed of this managers actions, and it shouldnt be you or the charity.
    via Away_Location

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