Archive
By Staff Report
Jan. 9, 2000
Q
Where can I find information on employee benevolence funds? We are designing a program where employees can donate money or vacation time into a pool. When an employee has a catastrophic event, the employees vote on how much or what we can do to help using the fund proceeds.
–Kim Frederick, PHR, Employment Manager, Julian LeCraw & Company, Atlanta.
Dear Kim:
Benevolence funds are common to companies that accumulate sick time into banks of unused days. Most notably in the following professions:
Information with respect to specific plan design and rules is generally found through associations representing these industries, such as AHA for hospitals, NEA for education and through public employee associations.
Generally, there are both pros and cons to establishing these type plans. On the one hand it is a gesture of generosity when employees respond to a request for a donation of time to another employee. On the other hand, when there is low response or no response, it is viewed as a popularity contest for worthy causes.
SOURCE: The Segal Company, New York, NY, December 1999.
E-mail your Dear Workforce questions to Online Editor Todd Raphael at raphaelt@workforceonline.com, along with your name, title, organization and location. Unless you state otherwise, your identifying info may be used on Workforce.com and in Workforce magazine. We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to answer every question.
Schedule, engage, and pay your staff in one system with Workforce.com.