a suggestion--again from the wife--teach some retailers the true meaning of compassion.

[diabeticman]

My wife and I are both working this Thanksgiving --She is working as a home health aide and see the need for her to work I work the night shift at a hotel. some places need to be open but at least we try and work with each other so that we can be with our families during the holidays.
buy
Anyways I am stuck at work while wife is stuck at home -- the snow storm and my work place -well some didn't want to get stuck doing my job because I couldn't get back in.

Anyways my wife's friend who is well off and often gives to charities was talking to my wife trying to figure out what she wanted to do this year.

My wife had a crazy idea: NOT Thanksgiving day but before Christmas and After black Friday go to Walmart or k-mart (those people are just as underpaid as Walmart) or any retail store.

Buy food (good stuff not the off brand stuff.) Buy clothing and even toys and various items and after checking out leave everything tell the cashier that these are for her/him and your fellow employees who are in need of a gift this holiday.

My wife text me with that idea and said can you imagine IF people Flash mobbed retailers with that idea even if they can only spare $20 or $10 it is something to help someone else. Imagine the news coverage if 10 people went into a store bought things and donated it to the workers. It would bring even MORE attention to the fact that we have way too many people not making enough to have a good holiday.

I know my wife will try and do this IF we have some spare money to do it. We still have $400 of work needed for our car.

[irisblue]

1. from your laptop to G@ds ears

[snacker]

2. Wonderful idea...

your wife is a genius!

[JI7]

3. seems like just putting more money into walmart and encouraging their behavior

i don't have a problem with giving employees something though. maybe something bought from somewhere else with better business practice and give it to them ?

[diabeticman]

5. That could work too but she just thought by buying the items at said stores and than gifting the

items would be a way to shame the retailers and think about it this way those profits would be "tainted" with charity.

[JI7]

9. they don't feel shame, they knowingly use slave labor ando ther horrible things

they don't care about the reasons for their profits . they only care about the profit itself.

[diabeticman]

11. true. but it was just a thought from my wife. if anything take it and shape it as you wish.

[LeftyMom]

4. Employees with store branded goods and no receipts will likely be accused of theft.

If you want to do the same thing without saddling somebody who is already having a very rough day with the logistical hassle of finding a place to put the stuff when they can't leave a register on pain of termination, give them a gift card to the local grocery store. It's portable, and they won't have to explain it to Loss Prevention later.

Of course it's small and you won't be making a spectacle of yourself, so if that's what you're really trying to do that won't work. But if you're just looking to lighten somebody's day without making a fuss, that's the way to go.

[diabeticman]

7. You would leave the receipt for the cashier and it is a little of both but mainly lighting the load.

[tammywammy]

6. Why not just give them gift cards? n/t

[diabeticman]

8. That's a good idea as well. let them pick what they want. Tell that to my wife.

[aikoaiko]

10. They might not be able to accept the gifts while working

[diabeticman]

12. They can't force you to take your bags either. You can leave it saying whoever needs help or in

need on your staff can have this. If not gifts why not give them money in the guise of a tip.

[aikoaiko]

13. When I was bagger/shagger many years ago I was forbidden from accepting tips or gifts.

do whatever you think is best, but sometimes there are unintended consequences.