Longtime employee gets unjust surprise

[Are_grits_groceries]

The marketing motto for United Way of America is "Live United."

Pat Elam would disagree. After decades of service to the United Way, the 77-year-old got booted just a few days before Christmas. The reason? As she tells it, the agency was afraid - erroneously - she might take off some time occasionally to look after her severely ailing husband.

"I just felt like I was unjustly done, because I have a husband who has cancer," Elam says.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1460304559/Luciano-Longtime-employee-gets-unjust-surprise

Even some people who run charities can suck! Bah!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. WOW, I can bet it was an age issue

and this was the chance this person needed.

Yes, some folks hate old folks and to work along side them

[Jazzgirl]

5. I hate United Way.

This is the first year I didn't give them a dime. I have felt pressured every year to donate to these assholes. I remember for a few years many years ago I quit because people were being threatened with their jobs if they didn't donate. We have a new AVP who doesn't feel people should donate if they don't want to. Besides I donate on my own. I absolutely hate UW and don't care two dead flies about them.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. United Way has always sucked

Check out the name William Aramony.

They have a great thing going, nailing down employers with their "!00%" notion, where employees are shamed into donating so that the business can get some crappy plaque. People are sheep.

This story cannot possibly suck harder.

[Demobrat]

6. I've been pressured at work more than once

to give to United Way. I refuse. When one boss gave me the 100% speech I told him he was free to donate in my name if he wished to, but there was no way I was giving them my money. He never bothered me about it again - but I bet he did give in my name, just to make the number.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. Same here

I refused to donate, would not be strong-armed, and the law firm ended up making a donation in my name, the ultimate hypocrites.

[lpbk2713]

3. Non-profits can be some of the worst employers.

My daughter worked for Goodwill several years for shit wages. Received a lot of praise and commendations.

They fired her after she got hurt on the job.

[GreenInNC]

4. United Way of the Carolinas

Our local United Way has just been cited as the most egrarious example of executive power gone amuck:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/100/story/153812.html

[Demobrat]

7. The have a long history of scandal and abuse.

Which is why I won't give them a dime, no matter how much pressure I get. From Wiki:

In 1995, William Aramony, CEO of the national organization, and in 2004, Oral Suer, CEO of the Washington, D.C. chapter, were convicted of misuse of donations.<6><7> Norman O. Taylor, Oral Suer's replacement, was never charged with misconduct, but was forced to resign.<8>

* In 2001, Vassar College decided to end its annual support of United Way due to United Way's giving to the Boy Scouts of America.<9>

* In April 2006, the New York City United Way revealed misappropriation of assets by Ralph Dickerson, Jr., the retired CEO of that chapter. The appropriation of resources occurred over a three year period, ending in 2005.<10> Mr. Dickerson agreed to reimburse the organization for around $37,000 in personal expenses and approximately $190,000 worth of points that Mr. Dickerson had redeemed for hotel lodging. The points had been donated to the organization and were administered by Dickerson's office; therefore, they had not been officially accounted for.<8>

* In May 2006, Kim Tran, the former CFO of United Way of the National Capital Area (Washington, D.C.), resigned, claiming many issues remain.<11><12>

* In August 2008, Gloria Pace King was asked to resign from her position as CEO of United Way of Central Carolina after being paid more than $1.2 million in 2007.<13>

* In December 2008, a 22 year part time employee was fired because "she might take off some time occasionally to look after her severely ailing husband."<14>

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[Muttocracy]

8. I prefer giving to specific charities I support.

The big collection and distribution of donations for social programs is what our taxes can do.

[sandnsea]

10. But non-profit health care

is going to be a panacea. We've got to think about that as we go forward on health care. The regulations are what make something work, not just the profit motive.