Grocery stores and donations

[tedder10]

Ok, I work in a very large grocery store chain as a cashier. At least in my district, cashier's have to ask for donations for
various causes such as MDA and breast cancer and prostate cancer are the main three. I absolutely, absolutely hate to ask for
donations and the customers hate it as much as I do, with that said, If I fail to ASK for a donation from a customer, I can be written up and fired.
Now, what kind of bullshit requires me to ask for donations or I get fired. The whole reason for the donations is to make our
money grubbing ASSHOLE CEO Steve Burd to look good because he is thinking of running for public office just like nutmeg here in
California. The managers hate it as much as I do, but they actually get bonuses based on how much in donations the store get,
so its in their best interest to push employees to get donations. So just about every single day, some supervisor or manager gets in
my face and threatens me with being fired because I openly say, I won't ask for donations. Such bullshit is annoying and pisses me off.
I WON'T ASK FOR THOSE FUCKING DONATIONS EVEN IF THEY TORTURE ME, I am that determined about this, I just want you to know
about this crap. PS, the union completely sucks and rolls over for whatever the company wants.

[DainBramaged]

1. WOW, isnt that illegal in California (and everywhere else?)

[Kali]

2. relax

think about the cause rather than some jackass getting "credit"

I don't like being asked as a customer either.

[Inchworm]

3. Part of your job I guess

At least you (probably) don't have to wear a chicken suit or yell "Welcome to Waffle House" when every time customers come in to make your boss richer.

I remember getting mad in construction.

If I work harder, faster, and more efficient, I work less hours, make less money so my boss could make more money quicker and get more jobs, quicker.

A few years later the tables turned and I was similar to my boss, but I'd give incentive.. like bonus, beer, umm.. and other :P

:hi:

[KamaAina]

4. Many people with disabilities despise MDA and its pity-based fundraising

people say they're afraid to go into, say, their law offices in a wheelchair the day after Labor Day, because people keep pressing quarters into their hands.

http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/archive/jerry92.htm

"The very human desire for cures . . . can never justify a television show that reinforces a stigma against disabled people." It was 11 years ago when those lines appeared on the opinion page of the New York Times -- September 3, 1981. Labor Day. On the tube, the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon was in full swing. The article was by Evan J. Kemp, Jr., now chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. At the time Kemp was Director of the Ralph Nader-inspired Disability Rights Center. "Aiding the Disabled: No Pity, Please," read its headline...

Society, Kemp charged, saw disabled people as "childlike, helpless, hopeless, nonfunctioning and noncontributing members of society." And, he charged, "the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon with its pity approach to fund raising, has contributed to these prejudices."...

I decided after 41 years of battling this curse that attacks children of all ages, I would put myself in that chair, that steel imprisonment that long has been deemed the dystrophic child's plight," he (Jerry Lewis -Ed.) continued.

"I know the courage it takes to get on the court with other cripples and play wheelchair basketball, but I'm not as fortunate as they are," Lewis wrote, halfway into the piece. He had so far managed to include nearly every term or concept offensive to disability rights advocates, and his next sentences would work in the others: "I'd like to play basketball like normal, healthy, vital and energetic people. I really don't want the substitute. I just can't half-do anything. When I sit back and think a little more rationally," he continued, "I realize my life is half, so I must learn to do things halfway. I just have to learn to try to be good at being half a person."

Sorry to see my local supermarket chain piling on. And it's not like I can just drive up the street to Save Mart, either. :(

edit: By the way, Evan Kemp was a Republican. There was a time, not all that long ago, when disability, and much else, didn't always have to be a partisan issue every single time.

[Kali]

5. I'm kind of leery of "institutionalized" begging too

now, if there is a change can for the local family that had a house fire or something I always give my change or a few bucks, but I do most donations either on line or in person.

still, I think the OP should consider where the $$ goes rather than some boss getting "credit" for raising funds

[suninvited]

6. does the bonus money come out of the donations?

just wondering if the store is keeping a percentage of the money for their effort.

[david13]

7. I don't blame you. That should be optional. The union might help

you, if you have one. Otherwise, a labor law lawyer. Maybe they can give a free consult.
dc

[petronius]

8. Why should it be optional, or illegal? As obnoxious as the practice is,

if a company thinks it advisable to solicit their customers on behalf of a third party, I don't see why they can't require the employees to do so...

[david13]

9. Because I say so, that is why. Because it stinks, that is why. Because

charitable donations should be voluntary, that's why.
Because it's not part of the job.
You do understand that is how laws get made, don't you?
People think a thing is not right, and so a law gets passed, then it can't legally be done.
It's nice to think that 'freedom' means an employer can do any screwball thing they want, but it ain't the case.
And shouldn't be.
dc

[petronius]

11. Ah, my mistake. From your mention of labor law I assumed you were referring

to something a bit more concrete than just your opinion...

[Curmudgeoness]

10. I don't want to work for you. I think that this is a sorry way

to treat employee and customers both. Donations should be made freely, not because of pressure from some sales person. And no cashier should be forced to pressure customers if they are uncomfortable with it.

[petronius]

12. That's why I used the word "obnoxious" - if I had employees they wouldn't be doing this

Some other posters seemed to suggest that the practice may not be legal; my question was whether that suggestion has any basis in law or fact. Apparently, it doesn't...

[david13]

13. I certainly don't know. The union may know, if there is one there.

Or, my mention was of labor law lawyer. A lawyer what works in that arena may know about the legality of it, or could find out by research.
dc

[pitohui]

14. good for you

if you wanted to be a beggar you'd be hanging out in some cool spot in cali not working yr butt off in a grocery store

i don't give to solicits at store/bank/etc because i don't think it's right -- it puts unfair pressure on old people who prob. don't have the extra money yet because of their age are a bit weaker and unsure of what to do -- they totally steal from those people

same reason i don't throw $ in the bucket at salvation army in front of my store, if you want my money, don't hit me up when i have to buy groceries/survival supplies...that's just evil