To quit my job rather than do this?

Absolutely stand your ground, this is incredibly unprofessional of the person who decided a different charity would look better on socials.

Stand your ground.

By the way it is appalling that an organisation would choose a charity purely based on PR/social media opportunities rather than on the good work they are doing.

Also here to find out outcome and support original charity if possible!

You have all of my sympathies, OP - this would be my nightmare work situation! I'd probably quit (not saying this is right or best thing to do) but I'm usually told I have 'strong morals, to a fault'. Edit: Read previous great advice to stick to your guns, stick it out, and let it all come to light if it were to come to trying to get rid of you/punish you over it.

I think whoever made this decision clearly hasn't thought through the impact off NOT going wtih the original plan. It could get very messy indeed on socials. I think the best suggestion is to suggest they fundraise for the new charity next year.

but going back to the point no YWNBU to refuse to do this.

Ugh. Well done you for standing firm OP.

Tell your employers that they have implied contractual obligations towards the charity you chose, so cannot change at such short notice. The other charity will have to wait a year. Note that it is not just the money raised on the day, it is the publicity that they receive.

Good for you for standing your ground.

I would go hard on this. “I am appalled that it has been suggested that we withdraw support from these terminally ill children/impoverished people old people/homeless people a week before Christmas, it seems out of step with the values of this company and could become a PR disaster if it’s made public”. Copy in the most senior person.

What a disgusting thing to do. Stand your ground, and be prepared to go to the board or whoever is at the top in your company if necessary. Swapping at the last minute like this makes the company look untrustworthy and frivolous as well as callous.

Exactly how senior is the senior person? I’d go up to the CEO and the board. They would (or should) care a lot more about reputation than a short campaign on social media. But suggest that in the New Year you adopt a different charity strategy and have a year-long campaign — starting with the new charity.

Stand your ground but offer something ‘better’ too.

I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't quit over it either, if they want to try and punish or fire me over my stance down the legal route we would go! Disgusting behaviour from them

I really wouldn't quit, just let them fire you if they want to for not complying. They'll quickly realise how unreasonable they were, and if you have to explain it at future interviews it will not put you in a bad light at all, quite the opposite.

Yes can't they go with the other charity next year. It's faaaaar too late to change and even if the existing charity won't go on SM and complain anyone else could. .it could be such a PR disaster. .

I'd say you've made the official commitment to your charity in the name of the company.

And the other charity can be pencilled in for next year.

I wonder if the second charity have the capacity to get up to speed with the event in good time?

I'd also be wondering whether the local charity network are talking with each other and have worked out what's happened here.

It happens. It's shit. And charities are beyond stretched at the moment, both in terms of finance and resource. This could make the difference between survival and closure of the charity.

Absolutely bloody shameful practice from your manager.

Stand your ground!

Stand your ground, that's an awful thing for your workplace to suggest.

Who made that decision? Can you take it higher up?

Hi OP,

I work for a charity in a role that deals with businesses raising funds and unfortunately this does happen more often than you’d think.

I’ve had situations where we’ve started partnerships and then the MDs mother gets diagnosed with cancer and we get dropped like a stone. It’s always really really disappointing and difficult.

I wouldn’t quit your job over it but I would think carefully about if this is the organisation for you and maybe find somewhere that better suits your values…. There’s always the charity sector!

@WelshRambler I would absolutely stand your ground on this.

Letting a small charity would be very uncharitable. The person who has organised another charity needs to let their charity down and explain their mistake. Extremely incompetent of them to do this!

@WelshRambler

I also would echo the : do not quit and let them sack you. Except they CAN’T sack you, they wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.

Don't doubt yourself and fight this ALL the way. You need very firm, clear language that you WILL not do this and it is morally the wrong thing to do.

You will piss people off, but others will admire you and I think this opportunity to stand your ground and win could well be the making of you.

I agree, stand your ground. Point out that the charity has been approved and that they will be relaying on you & the company for their fundraiser.

There is always next year, Easter, summer or Christmas for similar events for the other charity.

Oh gosh, as a small charity ceo, thank you, funding for small charities is non existent and I bet they've been counting their lucky stars since you chose them that they will keep going another year because of you. I'm so mad at your bosses!

What dreadful behaviour from them. Stand your ground!

That’s really shitty of them. The key word is charity, however it sounds like your company just does it for the recognition, no goodwill there at all. Reminds me of people who film themselves giving money to vulnerable homeless people who clearly don’t want to be filmed just so people can congratulate them on being a good person when really it’s all for show

Sadly, most charitable activity is far from altruistic. It's all tax deductions and publicity.