On August 12, 2013, while sorting donated clothing, a Goodwill worker in California discovered an envelope containing $10,500 cash in crisp $100 bills. She promptly turned the envelope over to her bosses. What follows is business ethics in action.
In a television interview, she said that she was worried that someone would need the money and would obviously want it back. By his own words, the Goodwill manager said that from time to time people inadvertently “donate’ things they had no intention of donating; perhaps jewelry or a watch or who knows, even $10,500.
A month passed; no one came to claim money. Perhaps they didn’t realize they gave it away. Perhaps they wanted to make the gift without attention. Perhaps the money was ill gotten and best in the hands of a charitable organization. I have no clue, but several ethical issues are in action and positively so.
The news reporter having interviewed store management, then the employee, informed the employee that store management had decided to give her “part” of the money; Goodwill’s policy would be a 10% reward to the honest ethical employee.
Lakeisha Williams stated: “It would have been nice of them to say…here’s some kind of kickback.” Looks like, if the money is unclaimed, her wish will become reality.
Simple Case with Many Twisted Knots
I am under no delusion. Working in a Goodwill store is honest work, and it is better than no work, but no one I am aware of has ever purchased a condo in Palm Springs from a Goodwill salary. It is minimum wage; sometimes a wage barely above what the poorest of the poor Goodwill patron is able to earn. I personally know all too well, how much money $10,500 can be.
At first I thought it might have been nice had store management at least recognized her efforts, but then I wasn’t there so I don’t know what was said to acknowledge her ethical honesty. While she could have taken the money, she acted ethically – doing the right thing turning over what she found to her employer. We hope that store management has taken the time to single her out from amongst all of the employees to praise her and to express their deep gratitude that such employees were in their hire.
Goodwill Industries is a nonprofit organization that provides job training and placement programs for some of the most hardcore unemployed in America. The locations themselves are based in communities with high unemployment rates.
My point is that no one will confuse Goodwill Industries with Google or GE or General Motors for that matter. The employee should have known that as well. The mission of Goodwill is to help people and helping begins with ethical action on the part of their employees – something that Lakeisha demonstrated through her action.
Do you have a policy?
No one is prepared to find $10,500 when sorting through a load of ragged sweaters. But could it happen? Yes. Could a policy exist stating that any money or valuables (such as a ring) found in a donation is the property of Goodwill? It appears that Goodwill’s policy is to keep the donated funds in safe keeping for several months giving the rightful owner time to reclaim his/her property. That demonstrates an ethical policy on the part of Goodwill.
Should employees sign a document acknowledging what should happen in situations like this? I believe so. If such a policy is in place, the employee – and her manager would have had no gray areas. – the ethical choices would be clear and defined.
Is the organization thorough enough in conveying their mission? Wasn’t the employee, herself, helped by Goodwill’s policies? Beyond employee recognition, Goodwill acknowledges that if the $10,500 were to go unclaimed, it would be used to help other unemployed people within the community to gain work as well? Likewise, Lakeisha will receive a nice reward for her honesty and ethical action.
In the end…
Lakeisha Williams acted ethically in turning over the funds to her employer. Bravo! She has demonstrated through her actions what we all hope all employees would model. Goodwill, likewise, is acting ethically in safekeeping the donated funds for several months – knowing that if the donor discovers their (potential) mistake – Goodwill acted ethically to return those funds. Lastly, Goodwill recognizes that they have an ethical responsibility to those they serve and that, too, includes their honest employees. The reward to Lakeisha is an outward demonstration to others that Goodwill honors those who act ethically.
This is business ethics in action!
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