Do I have to give money for a coworker’s child’s graduation at my government job? What should I do if I don’t want to contribute? #mandatorygraduationmoney #governmentjob #HRconcerns #workplacerequirements
I have a government job, and my supervisors keep insisting that it is mandatory to donate money for a coworker’s child who is graduating high school. Is this legal? What steps should I take if I am being pressured to give money?
## Mandatory Graduation Money Dilemma
– I work in a government job where supervisors are asking for graduation money
– I don’t plan on pitching in, but I’m not sure if it’s allowed
– Should I approach HR for assistance?
– Supervisors are keeping track of who has given money using a list of initials
– I don’t know the coworker or their child, so why am I expected to contribute?
If you have any insights or suggestions, please share them! Your input is greatly appreciated.
There’s no way that’s a requirement at a government job. Definitely let HR know they are doing this.
Report them to HR. They cannot do that. Federal retiree here.
What’s your location?
That is beyond merely unethical in the US, it would get those people fired.
Federal, state, county, or city/town govt?
I am not a lawyer but I am a retired Federal Executiev. When you say government, if you mean US Federal Government you should contact your Ethics official and/or you Office of Inspector General. An OIG complain can be filed anonymously by contacting their hotline.
I am not a lawyer but I am a retired Federal Executiev. When you say government, if you mean US Federal Government you should contact your Ethics official and/or you Office of Inspector General. An OIG complain can be filed anonymously by contacting their hotline.
I work for the government and literally every fundraiser, retirement party, etc etc that I get an email about says “this is voluntary.” There’s no way this is not illegal as hell.
How can you be a state employee and a county employee at the same time?
What country are you in? There may be some assumptions being made that might not be accurate…
Location? There are ethics rules. In CA, manager and director level people have to fill out FPPC forms. Our city has forbade us to accept gifts of more than $150, your
Municipality maybe different. so if this person is raking in the cash they’d be in direct violation of state and local laws. Does your work have a conflict of interest code?
Yeah extortion is illegal. 🙃
Not a lawyer, but a fellow government employee. I’d go to the union, personally. Try to get evidence via email or text if possible.
I bet the company doesnt raise money for people who graduate their job
They’re probably demanding a certain money amount as well. They’re wrong. Send them an email about this donation. See if you can get it in writing. Then ask them where this is in the handbook.
You have a government job. Rules could not be more clear in any other industry in this country….
NAL but also have a gov job.
Pretty sure our training says this is illegal
No its not and my job is just started 2 years ago “does birthday gifts”. I am ALWAYS asked every month to contribute. I always “forget” and i also mention i dont really want a birthday gift. But they get one for me anyway. Gifts are not my love language. They should be from the heart, not forced.
At least in America, you can decline anything that is not required under federal state or local labor laws. No law i am aware of makes gifting to anyone or anything a condition of remaining employed.
If it becomes an issue, report them to DOL
Also dont sign or initial ANYTHING without reading what it says. Youd be surprised what is in a contract or piece of paper or even verbal that can be held against you. Ive learned the hard way already once. Learn from this, dont do it again. God bless.
As a former NTEU steward, this is absolutely contrary to federal ethics guidelines.
If you are a federal employee whose agency has a contract with NTEU, contact your local office.
If you are with another union, get hold of them.
WTF?
Ignore all these people telling you to go to HR unless you have a career death wish.
1. Document everything.
2. Be polite and encouraging during any discussions. Draw them out. Get them to send you everything in writing “so you don’t forget”.
3. Donate a dollar.
4. Go to these regulatory bodies people have mentioned and file a complaint. That should be the end of it.
5. If there is any retaliation you have a potentially very lucrative lawsuit on your hands.
NAL but I work in government at county level. I have access to our county Employee MOU (contract) that outlines employee conduct, standards, rules and regulations. It was provided to me at the time of hiring. I’m also a represented union member. I don’t know the outline of your county MOU but I would review yours and see if mandatory gifts of a monetary value are required ( but I seriously doubt they are). Document what you can and reach out to HR. I would also suggest making sure a union steward is apprised of the situation and cc’d in any emails you send. Any person to person meetings to discuss the situation you can request a union steward be present I.E. your Weingarten Rights.
Started a new job years ago, one of the guys there was finishing purchasing a house, I was told everyone chips in and buys items for each other. Birthdays, house warming gifts, etc I said no, lol
Learn to say no, worse case you get fired and have a nice lawsuit
“Of course we would never force People to donate but they will, Because of the implication”
There’s no way this is a real post. Even if the request is true, how are you this gullible to believe it’s actually enforceable?
20 years in govt job. Best thing to do: nothing. Just don’t give the money. Nothing will happen to you.
There were no consequences stated so “mandatory” has no meaning.
I work a government job as well.
There’s no fycking way that’s enforceable. No, it’s not mandatory.
I would get them to give it to you in writing. Send a quick email. Something along the lines of “I am just double checking something. I was told this activity is mandatory, how is that possible? What happens if I don’t? I don’t even know this person. “
Never sign anything without reading and verifying it first. It doesn’t take a lawyer to realize how ridiculously unethical this is. Go to HR if they threaten to fire you. But if they try to say you agreed by signing that form, personally I’d not waste my time further and quit, any job is better than that one.