Helen works as an accountant for a firm in the textile indus

Helen works as an accountant for a firm in the textile industry. During non-working hours she does extensive volunteer work for the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and the American Heart Association. Helen’s employer wants to maintain a favorable image in the community so it wants every employee to donate money to the United Way. Should the firm pressure Helen to donate money? Keep in mind that if Mary doesn’t donate money, other employees may not either which could result in the firm having an unfavorable image in the community. On the other hand, Mary already donates time which has a monetary value and she may feel that it is unfair to be asked to donate even more.

Solution

No, donating to improve a company\'s image can not in any way be deducted from any employee\'s salary or they can not be asked to donate if they do not wish to, even when they do or do not do any social work.

So if its just a point of doing positive PR, then the volunteer work of Helen can be posted and used to do PR and hence the donation is futile and less relevant. But if it is to motivate others, it can be deducted and then in other modes it can be given back to her and this should be informed to her. Otherwise she will be demotivated and it would also open up a legal angle of forcing employees to donate from their salary, which no company is allowed to do.

So, as a policy it can not be mandated, if she is not comfortable she should be given option to opt out and all employees should have that facility.