8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Feb 26, 2015 12:49:13 GMT -5
I always loathe the CFC "shakedown" each year. I'm glad its gotten easier to ignore. I see no value in giving via the CFC when I can give directly. I resent the way some offices give money on your behalf, and then claim 100% participation.
But like all things, they matter to someone. I don't give a flip, but to some people, having 100% participation sounds good.
Same with the car or clothing. Some people can't help but assume a nice car and nice clothes means success. Others would wonder whether that is all financed and the person has very little cash. At higher levels, I always wonder who owns the car -- the employee or the company. I've seen displaced executives have to turn in the 7-series, and get a Camry.
I hear in some law firms, the partners demand decoration based on their success. One guy demanded hardwood in his office. If I walked into a decked out office, I'd be forced to wonder how much of my billing is really going to my attorney, vs. his splendor. Sure, you have to be good to command that stuff, but would I be better off with someone who is more "Millionaire next door".
Realtors are another interesting one. They do need a vehicle that clients can ride in. I'd be forced to wonder though whether they are negotiating on my behalf very well, since doing so reduces their commission.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Feb 26, 2015 12:52:27 GMT -5
United Way was pushed at my school, too. I looked at the list of "charities" they "supported" and realized I'd never contribute a dime to most of them because they were total scams. Huge pressure though to have 100 per cent donation even if it was a dollar a paycheck.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Feb 26, 2015 13:17:28 GMT -5
I've learned something to love about being an engineer! I can eat at my desk! This lawyer eats at her desk all the time too.
I don't want to go out to lunch all the time. It's expensive and bad for me.
Yes but do you have your boss's permission?
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 26, 2015 13:41:37 GMT -5
do they make a big deal if you donate to a different charity than UW? When I worked at the utility company they wanted you to donate to UW. UW is like the mafia. UW also has a pretty disgustingly high overhead, which is why I don't donate to them. I prefer that more of my donation actually make it to the intended target. I'd push back on any company that thought they could dictate where my charitable contributions went.
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ArchietheDragon
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Post by ArchietheDragon on Feb 26, 2015 14:01:06 GMT -5
When I worked at the utility company they wanted you to donate to UW. UW is like the mafia. UW also has a pretty disgustingly high overhead, which is why I don't donate to them. I prefer that more of my donation actually make it to the intended target. I'd push back on any company that thought they could dictate where my charitable contributions went. They didn't require it, but every manager talked to their staff about donating, even if it was just a little bit. It may have even been brought up in performance reviews, but I forget.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Feb 26, 2015 14:08:58 GMT -5
if it's that important to them, then they can donate for me. that is completely inappropriate for them to push it like that. that's like what some poster said around the last election about feeling pressure to vote a certain way, because of the blatant lobbying for a specific candidate by their boss. I wish I could remember the specifics, but it's the same crap. completely unprofessional and inappropriate.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Feb 26, 2015 14:25:25 GMT -5
DH reports directly to the Board. He has had board members make comments about his truck (which is a 2006) and that they must not be paying him enough if that's all he can afford. His contract also requires him to belong to a civic organization, so he belongs to Rotary. One of the banks when we started banking there had about 15 branches and now has 375 requires volunteer work. They post it all over the teller counters. "I just voluntered at so-and-so." requiring someone to volunteer their time seems a tad disingenuous. especially when the person volunteering is still being paid as if they were at work. That's the part that doesn't make sense to me. The bank tellers are pretty clear: they go to their volunteer places in lieu of going to work. Many of them "volunteer" at the schools. The schools need help, I get that. However, don't pretend it's volunteer. It's more of a donation I guess.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Feb 26, 2015 14:28:13 GMT -5
I've learned something to love about being an engineer! I can eat at my desk! This lawyer eats at her desk all the time too.
I don't want to go out to lunch all the time. It's expensive and bad for me.
Brown bag it and drive around the corner and sit in your car and eat your lunch. They don't know where you are going.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2015 14:45:00 GMT -5
When I was a supervisor I would bring up a charity once in the department staff meeting but absolutely would not in a one on one setting.
I believe charity is a personal choice and shouldn't be subject to shakedown by an employer.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Feb 26, 2015 18:14:37 GMT -5
do they make a big deal if you donate to a different charity than UW? We have to contribute through the UW campaign. If we don't designate then it just goes to the general fund. They are big on only supporting certain charities that align with their ideals - so helping kids and the environment basically. I have mine directed to a local boys home that some friends work for and DH is involved with. But since it's first filtered through the UW campaign at work (and i am sure UW keeps their cut of it), then it is "seen" by work and therefore makes them like me more I guess. It's not a hard thing to do and I would give to this place anyway, so I can play this little game if they want. When I was knew to the firm I didn't donate to UW the first year. I got called by a partner and was told I obviously overlooked it because the firm has a goal of a 100% donation rate! I was a newbie so I donated $2 a week. A few years later I got smart and donated $1..:they were still at 100% contribution rate and I didn't have tonget oissed Then I caught on to designating a charity of my choice. I upped my contribution but chose a charity near to my heart
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quince
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Post by quince on Feb 26, 2015 18:46:10 GMT -5
I have a low tolerance for keeping up appearances- I'm glad that I'm not so ambitious that the missed opportunities make me sad. I would have to be pretty broke to put up with gender biased dress codes and requirements for my vehicles/free time. I hate wearing make-up (OK, I love playing with make-up, but I really don't want to wear it every day, or for more than 5 minutes at a time. I am totally a 9 year old when it comes to make-up), and while I used to love high-heeled boots, since taking martial arts, I can't stand heels. All my car needs to do is get me where I need to go, and I will donate to what I choose on my own time, and it's no one's business. Grr. My husband also is not so much with keeping up appearances, so it's probably good that he's a software engineer. If he was at a company that criticized his car, he'd find another job, and once again, we'd have to be pretty low on money for him to work somewhere that puts restrictions on his personal life. I have a friend in vaguely the same field, but for a job that requires confidentiality, and security clearance with travel restrictions on both him and his wife. No way would I put up with restrictions on ME for my HUSBAND's job. Fuck that. Not enough money in the world. I wouldn't be too amused at completing the screening for security clearance, either. I was actually pretty irritated when I was interviewed for my friend's clearance. I think his wife likes the confidentiality requirements: he used to talk about his work all the time and it irritated her. I actually like my husband discussing work, so that would piss me off too. In summary: I would accept working data entry for the rest of my life before putting up with unreasonable expectations or restrictions.
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violagirl
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Post by violagirl on Feb 26, 2015 22:39:43 GMT -5
Another Big 4 accountant here - you will be happy to know that in my area anyway, there is no mandatory lunch, car, clothes policies. I mean, don't come to work in flipflops but even pantyhose have gone the way of the dodo. When visiting clients - you tend to dress like the client..to a certain level. I have seen blue hair, short skirts, sky high heels and the opposite and no one really cares as long as you get your stuff done. It they want to attract millenials - they have had to adapt. I'm not totally sold on the "cult" aspect. I resist that strongly. Also being "voluntold". That is probably the hardest part. And of course - long hours. That never goes out of style.
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michelyn8
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Post by michelyn8 on Mar 2, 2015 11:33:41 GMT -5
Another Big 4 accountant here - you will be happy to know that in my area anyway, there is no mandatory lunch, car, clothes policies. I mean, don't come to work in flipflops but even pantyhose have gone the way of the dodo. When visiting clients - you tend to dress like the client..to a certain level. I have seen blue hair, short skirts, sky high heels and the opposite and no one really cares as long as you get your stuff done. It they want to attract millenials - they have had to adapt. I'm not totally sold on the "cult" aspect. I resist that strongly. Also being "voluntold". That is probably the hardest part. And of course - long hours. That never goes out of style. The bolded statement hit me wrong. I'm all for compromise but you make it sound like we should all change just because the younger generation doesn't want to do what a company requires. IMHO, no one looks nice in a business skirt and no hose. For me its on the same level as the woman who spends 20 minutes fixing her hair and goes without makeup. Or one who has her nails done weekly but doesn't do anything with her hair or wear any makeup. Its an incomplete picture. I don't expect people to dress to the nines anymore but I do notice appearance when I go into different offices and if your appearance is overly casual or the least bit sloppy or incomplete, I do wonder about the quality of work you're going to do for me. Now I don't miss the "requirements" to dress a certain way. I like having options. But I think we can all agree that in many places that allows a more casual appearance there are always those that could use some coaching on what the limits actually are. And like it or not, those employees can give a business a bad vibe.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Mar 2, 2015 12:02:49 GMT -5
wait, so if we do our hair we also have to put on makeup?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 12:14:23 GMT -5
I always loathe the CFC "shakedown" each year. I'm glad its gotten easier to ignore. I see no value in giving via the CFC when I can give directly. I resent the way some offices give money on your behalf, and then claim 100% participation. But like all things, they matter to someone. I don't give a flip, but to some people, having 100% participation sounds good. Same with the car or clothing. Some people can't help but assume a nice car and nice clothes means success. Others would wonder whether that is all financed and the person has very little cash. At higher levels, I always wonder who owns the car -- the employee or the company. I've seen displaced executives have to turn in the 7-series, and get a Camry. I hear in some law firms, the partners demand decoration based on their success. One guy demanded hardwood in his office. If I walked into a decked out office, I'd be forced to wonder how much of my billing is really going to my attorney, vs. his splendor. Sure, you have to be good to command that stuff, but would I be better off with someone who is more "Millionaire next door". Realtors are another interesting one. They do need a vehicle that clients can ride in. I'd be forced to wonder though whether they are negotiating on my behalf very well, since doing so reduces their commission. When I first bought my house, I called the alarm company the previous owner used to inquire about upgrading the system to one similar to what I'd left at the other house I'd lived in. The guy pulled up in a large Mercedes Benz. I immediately assumed he would quote me some outrageous price. Not only did he say it would cost $1k to upgrade the system, he seemed to get a little angry when I told him no thanks. He got a little loud, saying I had to pay for all the bells and whistles I wanted. I calmly told him I wasn't paying 1k for them. He was so upset (which was actually weird, like I'd personally insulted him) that he actually forgot he was suppose to take the control box with him. They were still billing the previous homeowner until the control box was returned. I called the company that had installed the alarm in the previous house. I got it installed here for free, just like I did before. With all the bells and whistles Mercedes guy was practically yelling about. I think presenting an upscale appearance can backfire, depending on the industry and what kind of clients you have. It can send the message that you're paid well because you're excellent at what you do, or it can make people wonder the same things WWBG does.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Mar 2, 2015 12:14:47 GMT -5
wait, so if we do our hair we also have to put on makeup? Yeah that. The last time I wore makeup was for a job interview.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2015 12:17:22 GMT -5
wait, so if we do our hair we also have to put on makeup?
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violagirl
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Post by violagirl on Mar 2, 2015 12:19:12 GMT -5
The bolded statement hit me wrong. I'm all for compromise but you make it sound like we should all change just because the younger generation doesn't want to do what a company requires. I think it is more like this - if they want to attract people from that demographic, it is one of the things people value. The give and take between an employee/employer is not completely one sided. I'd like to see just how much talent coming out of school the accounting firms could attract if they insisted on old school methods. Especially now that you do not need to be in public accounting to get a designation in Canada. I suppose what I am saying is the company must change or they will not have any young people working for them. Simple as that. And older people are too smart to work in public accounting.
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michelyn8
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Post by michelyn8 on Mar 2, 2015 14:40:59 GMT -5
wait, so if we do our hair we also have to put on makeup? You don't HAVE to but most women should. Not everyone can pull off the no makeup look without appearing tired or dowdy. Its just my opinion that if you're going to put out the effort to do one then you should take a few more minutes and do the other.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Mar 2, 2015 20:20:42 GMT -5
1. Requiring employees to drive certain kinds of cars. I have heard that some employers have rules about not driving motercycles or pickup trucks to work. 2. Some employers require employees to eat out for lunch. "Brown bagging" it is either against the rules or highly discouraged. 3. Some employers require employees to "volunteer" at charities in the community on their own time.
The cat rescue I'm with doesn't care what I drive. They don't even bat an eye when (sometimes) I ride my bike and park it in the back room. They also don't seem to mind when I carpool with my wonderful DH. They don't care what I eat for lunch or where I eat it. I am, however, sometimes forced to fend off inquisitive and hungry cats. I've learned not to bring tuna, for my own personal safety. They don't care what I do on my own time. I mean, they might care if I became an axe-murderer or anarchist or something... but they don't care about my volunteer activities ... providing, of course, I continue volunteering for THEM. (They are a 501c3 non profit) (Back when I was a trial attorney, my employers never commented on my car choice, my lunch choice, or my volunteering choices.)
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Mar 2, 2015 21:20:00 GMT -5
Well somebody has to go there... <<<in my best fake snotty (not so upper class) english accent>>> Hello, BooKay residence speaking What? No, it is pronounced Bookay, NOT Bucket, BOOKAAAYYYY.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Mar 5, 2015 13:23:15 GMT -5
...:::"I think presenting an upscale appearance can backfire, depending on the industry and what kind of clients you have. It can send the message that you're paid well because you're excellent at what you do, or it can make people wonder the same things WWBG does.":::...
I briefly worked at a firm that was the leader in the $5M+ housing market. Clients buying in that segment... clients whose contact information includes the fax number for the fax machine on their boat... are not going to take you seriously if you show up in the 9 year old corolla.
That alarm story is an interesting one... I guess he didn't know you knew you could get a better deal elsewhere. Or if he did, he didn't care. I'm sure high pressure intimidation works in some cases.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Mar 5, 2015 15:17:37 GMT -5
my company matches our donations, so there's a real reason to do it at work versus directly. We can still donate to any IRS approved charity, and our company matches us dollar for dollar. it's a great way to amplify MY choice in where my dollars go.
it also helps at tax time, because I can export a report from our online tool that shows all of my donations for the calendar year. except my company only matches $0.50 for each dollar. Still that's $1.50 for each $1 I send to the food bank
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