No, you are most definitely NOT a grinch. I completely agree with you.
I run into the same problem with United Way and their corporate gestapo tactics. I know they mean well, but the translation leaves a lot to be desired.
I work for a very large corporation. In terms of the corporate UW drives, I will return my donation card (each area gets points for 100% cards returned), and I donate $1, so that gets counted toward the 100% participation. Beyond the participation aspect, they are NOT allowed to query you about how much you donated--only that you did participate.
The way I see it, I really like where I work, I'm respected for me and my knowledge, I REALLY like my boss and the other folks, the benefits are excellent and they pay me well. $1/year is a small contribution toward dealing with office politics on this one (some of my friends donate 50 cents *grin*). In the past, I have worked in companies where I did not donate anything, but circumstances are different.
If I get pushed to donate on some other drive or cause, I am usually polite but firm, initially. If they continue to push, well, I'm not a charter member of the b*tch club for nothing. Of course, I'm ALWAYS professional, even then.
It does help that our HR division is enormously twitchly about solicitation of ANY kind (corporate sponsored or otherwise), so there is always recourse if all else fails.
hope this helps.
Edited by mathwhizchick on 20/10/03 09:05 PM.
