Can my non-profit employer pressure me to donate money to them as ‘fund raising’?
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Can my non-profit employer pressure me to donate money to them as ‘fund raising’?
I work for a church funded pre-school and am a salaried teacher. The school is
having a fundraiser and sent flyers to all the parents. They told the teachers
it is mandatory for the teachers to contribute. When I didn’t they put a note in
my mailbox saying ‘Since you didn’t place an order and the rest of the teachers
did we hope you’ll make a donation to our fundraiser. You can leave an envelope
on one of our desks.’ The funds raised go right back to my employer. My boss
has been very cold to me lately as a result. Is this legal? They make me feel
like if I don’t give to the charity then I am going to be retaliated against in
some way.
Asked on November 15, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
They cannot force you to pay them money, even under the guise of fund raising, since to do so is to effectively recapture or take money from the wages or salary they have paid you, and that is illegal: you are entitled to the compensation you have earned for the work to date, and they can't force you to give some of it back to them, even if they call it charitable fund raising. If they terminate you over this, cut your pay, etc., you may have a wrongful termination claim.
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