To think it unjust that last December lower-paid Oxfam employees were in the position of having to strike?

[SorcererGaheris]

To be absolutely clear - I am NOT saying that it was unjust that the workers went on strike. I am saying that I think it was unjust that it came to that in the first place, considering Oxfam is a charity that campaigns against poverty. I know their efforts are at relieving poverty in other countries, but some of their paid staff were not earning enough to cover rent and were using food banks.

For added context, I myself volunteer in an Oxfam shop and our shop closed over a couple of days last December when the managers (who are the paid employees in our shop) were on strike.

I should perhaps add that the strike itself turned out being short-lived, as the workers’ union agreed to a new pay offer. So it turned out not to be a lengthy process. I wasn’t surprised when I found out it was going to happen, but felt sorry for the Oxfam workers who were arguably in poverty themselves.

Friend of mine worked there.
It was interesting to hear about the rather nice conditions at the Head office in Oxford, and the demands and cost cutting experienced by low paid, largely female staff on the shop floor.

Some of the worst employers I have ever had dealings with have been registered charities.

Used to volunteer there too, massive, massive disconnect between head office and stores. Nobody from head office came anywhere near our store in the 10 years I was there.

Paid staff get barely more than minimum wage, no perks above statutory and are expected to deliver a lot. But most people on here think charity should be run without any wage bill at all.

I do have to disagree that Oxfam is a poverty relief charity. That’s how most of the volunteers see it for sure. The head office staff see it as a political campaign organisation which is all about transgender rights, Pride flags and inclusive language.

Also to add - the store I volunteered in was in a very old building, riddled with damp. Black mould on the walls. We had floods about 3 times when I was there as the building was so badly maintained. It was freezing cold in the back shop. Head office did nothing. They did refurb the front part which the public see with nice fresh paint while we were expected to carry in in the damp.

I don't think it is a charity about poverty any more though is it? Our local branch has loads of slogans on the window and none are about poverty.

I worked for a small local charity and it was the most toxic place I've ever experienced as well as a huge con, a few managers making good money and an incredibly poor client experience but great social media presence- nothing surprises me now.

Basically a political campaign organisation- that’s what I heard was the case as well.

Whilst Oxfam may not be great employers, absolutely nobody in any job "has to strike". That was the employees' own choice.

I think it still is a charity that primarily focuses on trying to relieve poverty in other nations. It’s just that in recent years, it has expanded its remit in accordance with principles of inclusivity.

Okay, that was poorly worded. They didn’t have to strike, but they felt the need to, and the union certainly expected them to.

Yes it was their choice after apparently fruitless pay discussions.
Oxfam.staff were reportedly using food banks. That’s not a good headline for a charity supposedly fighting poverty is it?

The head office staff do not 'think it's all about transgender rights, pride flags and inclusive language'. You've made that up to suit your own bigoted agenda haven't you? Or whoever told you that was making it up to suit their own bigoted agenda. Please stop your smear campaign against a charity that is simply trying to improve or save lives. Your post is factually incorrect and could deter people from funding organisations like Oxfam. Are you happy to be a part of impeding a well meaning charity to improve and save lives?

They should be deterred, I don't give to them anymore since the scandal about sexually exploiting women they were meant to be helping in Haiti. Give elsewhere.

it is not bigoted to point out as a volunteer of 10 years standing that there is massive disconnect between what shop volunteers think Oxfam should be doing and what head office staff think. They put out a volunteer survey about 2 years ago and we all told them, they published the results, promised to listen more, and didn’t.

Oxfam should stick to poverty action and disaster response.

Same. Dealing with an awful one atm.

And also, there are other charities truly operating in poverty relief who people can support instead of Oxfam. Save the children, UNICEF, Red Cross off the top of my head. All similar aims.

Agree. I worked for a famous cancer charity and the CEO genuinely thought the hospice staff should work for free as it was “a privilege to care for the dying” despite him having a 6 figure salary.

Agree, felt completely unappreciated as a volunteer. Never got a thank you from store manager or district manager. Feedback from head office very poor.

Thankfully, I feel very appreciated as a volunteer in the Oxfam shop I'm at. The managers we have are both very nice and want volunteers to have a positive experience.

I've always very much enjoyed the work and got along with most of my fellow members of staff. I've found volunteering there to be a good experience overall.

It has opened my eyes to the expectations placed upon managers. I thibk some people might assume that because it's a charity shop, it's a very laid-back and "cushy" role, but from what I can see that's not the case.

Yes - I knew friends that worked at their Head Office a few years ago - they were on huge salaries with great perks.

To be fair - I don't think the head office salaries are "huge". They are market level for whatever position they are recruting for. I don't buy into this idea that charities shoulfd run on fresh air and pay people peanuts. Many young graduates see working at household name charities as a way into politics or pressure groups or international advocacy work.

Doesn't change the fact that the store staff salaries are uncompetitively low and that staff are expected to do far more than someone on the same wage at Asda, Primark or any other high street store. And that in my experience, head office staff are quite happy in their offices in Oxford, and have no interest or concern about shop volunteers or their working conditions.

Don't assume all charities are the same, the one I volunteer for looks after their paid shop employees well, pay isn't good, standard retail, but 25 days paid holiday, closed bank holidays and very generous sick leave, not just statutory.

Don't assume inclusive slogans in windows or in staff room are of the charity's making, we have a manager rather into them and they were ott, head office asked them to tone it down due to complaints last pride.

As for head office and professional staff salaries, you need to pay a competitive wage to recruit, the drs and nurses employed need to be fairly compensated as do the accounts team for instance, but the salary is industry norm rather than high.

'@FelixtheAardvark · Yesterday 22:13
Some of the worst employers I have ever had dealings with have been registered charities.'

Absolutely, I have worked for several charities for the past 20 years and they are usually really poor employers and also have a tendency to exploit the good will of volunteers and using them to do work that should be done by paid staff.

I have worked for disability charities where staff with disabilities/long term health conditions were bullied out of their jobs, I have seen endless pay outs to senior staff who made unfair dismissal or bullying claim against CEOs and fundraised money being wasted on events for Trustees and self-congratulating videos or reports.

My current manager/charity are being taken to an employment tribunal by an employee with long term mental health issues.

I have become completely cynical about the sector and also not surprised to hear the news about the RSPCA over the weekend.

I would always advise people to research any charities before they donate to them and prioritise local ones where they can check what work is being done on the frontline.

Oxfam lost me with their guidelines telling women it was racist to report rape

To be fair - I don't think the head office salaries are "huge". They are market level for whatever position they are recruting for. I don't buy into this idea that charities shoulfd run on fresh air and pay people peanuts.

Yes - and I think even the CEO of Oxfam gets a significantly lower salary than they would if they were CEO of a non-charity.

I've no problem with those at the top being well-paid, into six figures, because when charities choose to employ people and task them with a great deal of responsibility, they need to pay them accordingly for the value of their expertise, skills and work. You simply wouldn't have people do those kind of jobs for no pay or very low pay.

For me, it's simply that employees at the lower level should be paid reasonably as well. Volunteering in a Oxfam shop myself has given me somewhat of an insight into the demands/expectations of shop managers. It's not an easy job.