Am I being overly sensitive? - Holiday donations

[Cruise]

Just looking for opinions if I'm being overly sensitive about this. I'm sick and grumpy, so it might be the case.

I got a temporary, seasonal job at a nationwide specialty-type store (not a department store). So far, the only days I've worked have been the day we did paperwork and orientation, one 3 hour shift for training to get "comfortable" with it, and Black Friday - the day everyone employed at the store was scheduled to work. This week, I've had some "maybe" shifts where I call in an hour before time to see if they need me, but they haven't needed me at all, so it looks like I'm working no hours this week. I'm really okay with all of this - I took the job knowing I was the temp help and the regular people would get scheduled ahead of me. That's not what I have a problem with.

Tonight, while I was at home, someone from the store (that I don't think I've even ever spoken to before) called and said that, every year, the store picks a local organization to sponsor for the holidays and that everyone contributes and she wanted to know how much she could put me down for and could I please bring in my contribution by Friday. I was just kind of too stunned to think of anything to say other than to ask what the usual contribution was - I did this by pointing out that I was only a seasonal, temp worker and I'd never been at the store when they'd done this before. She said some people were $5 and some were $20. So I just said to put me down for $5. And now I have to make a trip to the store even though I'm not working to make sure they get it by Friday.

Am I wrong to be a little put off by this? I mean - not only am I not getting hours to make any extra money - now they're asking me for money. I kind of feel like that if it's something they want to do as a store, then fine, but they should really only ask people that are at the store year-round. It's not like I feel like I'm part of "the family" because I'll be there for 5 weeks this year. And yeah, $5 isn't that much, but it's kind of more the point of the matter.

Has anyone else had something like this happen? I guess I feel like there's nothing I can do now since I agreed to contribute, but I have to admit to being a little angry about being blindsided by it. Maybe I should just take my antibiotic and go to bed.

 

[TotalDreamer]

I don't think you're being overly sensitive. While it is nice to donate assuming someone is going to is not right. Period. If I didn't want to I would have said "I'll get back to you on that, please don't put me down for anything at the moment".

 

[miprender]

That does seem a little odd. I personally wouldn't go out of my way to bring the money unless you are hoping to get a permanent job.

 

[walkdmc]

I'd be more annoyed by having to make the trip over there than giving the $5 donation. They probably just have a list of employees and you're on it so I wouldn't think bad of them. Hopefully you're not far from the store.

 

[Jey12]

double post

 

[Jey12]

I don't think you are at all. That is odd and rather tacky IMO. If they do that fine, post something in the break room. This way regular employees and the temps that are getting hours can see what is going on and donate if they wish to. Calling you at home isn't right. How did this person get your number? Unless it was a supervisor they shouldn't be releasing your information to people like that. Also I don't know if it's a company or a small business, but most corporations have rules against this. It's ok to put up a note saying something and if someone wants to donate they can seek out the person or people in charge. Anything past that is considered solicitation and often it's not allowed in most businesses. If it's a small business I can understand why you might have been contacted, but if it's a major retailer I'm a little shocked this sort of thing is allowed. Donations should be voluntary and because someone can and wants to donate. Donations shouldn't be forced. I know you're not being forced but calling you at home and saying everyone in the company participates, how much can I put you down for, is rather aggressive.

I wouldn't make a complaint or anything like that because it is a good cause. I think if you don't want or can't make a donation, I wouldn't worry about it. It's not something I'd make a special trip for.

 

[ah1126]

Maybe it was the way they presented it to you? Being in your position I wouldn't like it if they basically told me that I had to give, but I also wouldn't just want to be left out and not given the option. It sounds like they called and just asked for an amount.

 

[DisneyBill]

Tacky. If I were you, I wouldn't take the money there unless I was on the schedule between now and Friday. After all, they can't make you contribute and the worst they could do is not work you, which they aren't anyway. Now, if it is a cause you wish to support, mail a check directly.

 

[clh2]

IMO - the ideal answer (since you did feel compelled to contribute): "I would be happy to bring in $5 the next time I work."

 

[AllyBri]

Call the store and ask to speak to the person that called you, tell them you would like to give them the donation when you are actually working. Maybe they will offer to put the $5. up for you and then you can pay them back.
This person may have no idea of the shifts you work.

I also wonder if this is one of the workplaces that collects money from the employees and customers and then donates the money in the company's name and gets a nice tax write off?

 

[daisyduck123]

I think it was tacky of the person to ask you.

I immediately was reminded of the "Friends" episode where Ross had JUST moved into a new apartment building and immediately a tenant knocked on his door stating that he was collecting $$ for the building handyman's retirement gift & wanted Ross to fork over $100.

 

[DumboPrincess]

Maybe it was the way they presented it to you? Being in your position I wouldn't like it if they basically told me that I had to give, but I also wouldn't just want to be left out and not given the option. It sounds like they called and just asked for an amount.

This. I'm pretty sure from your descriptions, we work for the same company. I am a manager for the company, and can tell you the approach you received was poor. I apologize for your experience, because it is not the impression I would want anyone to have of our organization.

The intent of the donations is to support the local communities of the stores and give back. We do this twice a year, the Holiday season and Mother's Day. Most stores choose to support the local battered women's shelters, although soup kitchens and Children's group homes have also been chosen in the past. Some store teams collect money and then assign someone to make the purchases. Other stores collect items from a wish list. Either way, there is no obligation to participate. I'm sorry it was presented so aggressively.

In regards to someone having the phone number to call, the phone list is available to all associates. If you need a shift covered, or there was an emergency, this comes in handy. As a manager, I would never ask someone to call about donations. But we did talk it up at our most recent meeting and have signs up in the stockroom.

Hope this helps.

 

[MineMail]

I think the person calling you was just going down the contact list and didn't realize you were a seasonal temp. While I don't like the strong-arm tactic of putting people on the spot, if there are a lot of shift workers that never see each other, sometimes phone calls/emails/notes are the only way to communicate. Meetings at this time of the year can be difficult to coordinate, especially if most of the staff are part-timers.

If you care about this charity, make the trip to drop off the contribution. Don't give cash - write a check directly to the charity. Find something else to do in that area so that it's not a special trip for that one purpose.

I will say that the old adage of "out of sight, out of mind" comes into play. If this phone list is available and few people know you by face, you won't get any calls to cover shifts. If you stop in to drop off the donation and meet people, you'll look like more of a team player and the networking can lead to more hours.

If you really don't care about being part of the team, or the charity, call up and say you'll make your own donation because the trip is onerous.

 

[Lucky4me]

I would have said- I'll donate the next time I am called to work, do you know when that may happen?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I would've been put off by it too.

I most likely would've said I'm sorry but I don't have the money since I'm a seasonal temp and have only been called into work once.

 

[daughtersrus]

I would have said- I'll donate the next time I am called to work, do you know when that may happen?

I agree.

 

[Eastern]

This time of year, everyone is asking for donations. I am asked every time I check out at the grocery store, at Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, etc.

At WS, they ask you really loudly, in front of other customers, and then ring a bell if you donate something. Frankly, it pisses me off. I donate to my charities of choice and I don't like being put on the spot. The first few times I was caught off-guard; now I just say 'no thank you'.

You aren't being sensitive. Don't ever feel put on the spot when someone is rude to you. Have your 'no thank you!' or 'excuse me?' at the ready.

 

[Marionnette]

Just looking for opinions if I'm being overly sensitive about this. I'm sick and grumpy, so it might be the case.

I got a temporary, seasonal job at a nationwide specialty-type store (not a department store). So far, the only days I've worked have been the day we did paperwork and orientation, one 3 hour shift for training to get "comfortable" with it, and Black Friday - the day everyone employed at the store was scheduled to work. This week, I've had some "maybe" shifts where I call in an hour before time to see if they need me, but they haven't needed me at all, so it looks like I'm working no hours this week. I'm really okay with all of this - I took the job knowing I was the temp help and the regular people would get scheduled ahead of me. That's not what I have a problem with.

Tonight, while I was at home, someone from the store (that I don't think I've even ever spoken to before) called and said that, every year, the store picks a local organization to sponsor for the holidays and that everyone contributes and she wanted to know how much she could put me down for and could I please bring in my contribution by Friday. I was just kind of too stunned to think of anything to say other than to ask what the usual contribution was - I did this by pointing out that I was only a seasonal, temp worker and I'd never been at the store when they'd done this before. She said some people were $5 and some were $20. So I just said to put me down for $5. And now I have to make a trip to the store even though I'm not working to make sure they get it by Friday.

Am I wrong to be a little put off by this? I mean - not only am I not getting hours to make any extra money - now they're asking me for money. I kind of feel like that if it's something they want to do as a store, then fine, but they should really only ask people that are at the store year-round. It's not like I feel like I'm part of "the family" because I'll be there for 5 weeks this year. And yeah, $5 isn't that much, but it's kind of more the point of the matter.

Has anyone else had something like this happen? I guess I feel like there's nothing I can do now since I agreed to contribute, but I have to admit to being a little angry about being blindsided by it. Maybe I should just take my antibiotic and go to bed.

I don't think that you're being overly sensitive. I never worked at a place that pressured you to give during the holidays. But the annual United Way campaign where I worked when I was in college was very high pressure and I really resented it. I only worked every other weekend and was barely making rent. There was so much pressure from the supervisors to get 100% participation from their departments. To this day, I won't donate to the United Way and the strong-arm tactics that were used in that job has a lot to do with it.

 

[LovesTimone]

Being an former retail store mgr. I can say this was not right, and I would have been put out if someone did this to me, or if i found out that any employee had done this (possibly on there own). I have a feeling that the mgr or reg staff might have something to gain from this. Alot of times they put up a prize for the most collected, or 100% of the staff gave, sometimes it is a store party or normally a GC for the employee's.
Also this is a HR nightmare, and could be seen as harassment.
I would call back and let them know that you will bring the donation in the next time you work. It does not seem right to have you use your time, gas and so forth when you aren't even working any shifts. Also when I would hire our holiday staff, we would make sure that they got at least 10 hrs a week, and would call in as needed. I would want them to return year after year, and help during Easter and Mothers Day.

Well I do hope that you feel better.

 

[Lewisc]

Your not being overly sensitive. I would have said something like I've already made my holiday contributions to other local charities and wish the person luck.

I wouldn't make a special trip to drop off the $5. You get another phone call. Sorry I forgot I wasn't scheduled to work. I would have called you but I didn't think you expected me to make a special trip just to drop off $5. or I didn't want to make a special trip so I gave the $5 to a different charity.