Unlike social enterprises and traditional companies that generate revenues and profit, non-profit organizations rely on donations and have a high focus on social returns. They strive to create meaningful changes in the world and to assist those who need help.  However, as Andi Grace writes on their blog, they can also be toxic work environments.

I was fascinated by their description of ‘activist burnout’ and the unreasonable expectations they faced throughout her experience working at non-profit organizations. Non-profit workers often compete for a small number of underpaid or unpaid positions and they are expected to work long hours and carry an excessive workload simply because of the nature of their work. Just because it is charitable work does not mean that employers should expect workers to accept a salary that does not allow them to cover their own basic needs.

They also bring up a case where “clueless upper management demand[ed] something happen in a way that [made] no sense, and [ignored] the very legitimate wisdom of front line workers”. Andi brings up an example where their supervisors were so focused on quantitative outputs and the bottom line that they neglected to consider the holistic effects of their efforts. When gathering signatures for a petition, their manager demanded that the time to gather each signature be reduced.

However, the cost of this perceived efficiency meant a lack of meaningful connection and education to adequately explain to people what the petition was about. The people on the ground are generally paid less yet they often have the best understanding of how the programs function and affect the people they are meant to assist. The complexities of this bureaucratic hierarchy and power structures stands in the way of progress and improving the social impact of their work.

**NOTE** I used “they” when referencing Andi since that is their preferred pronoun

References:

Cooper, Garrett. “Lessons on How Non-Profits Can Behave More Like For-Profits.” Bayer Centre for Non-Profit Management. Robert Morris University. Web. 28 Oct. 2015.

Grace, Andi. “I QUIT! Naming Toxicity in Non-profit Work Environments.” Andi Grace. Web. 29 Oct. 2015. <http://andigracewrites.com/2015/10/i-quit-naming-toxicity-in-non-profit-work-environments/>.

Last month, my classmate Alexander Wong shared his thoughts on the business ethics of Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. is one of the world’s largest and most profitable technology companies. It enjoys both high customer loyalty and a positive brand image. However, beneath the surface of this pristine image lies some ugly truths.

Alexander focussed on the health and safety concerns regarding the significant amounts of radiation emitted by Iphones. The current specific absorption rate radiation exposure levels are at practically the maximum that is deemed safe by the Federal Communications Commission.

Several people are killed and many more are injured after an explosion at a Chinese factory

In my opinion, the more pressing concern is the exploitation of the workers that create the products. Significant factors in Apple’s climb to the top were its mastery of global manufacturing and nearly unrivalled innovation. Yet their workers face harsh conditions such as excessive overtime, deadly safety hazards and illegal child labour.

In 2010, the appalling conditions of Chinese factories were highlighted after 14 employees committed suicide at Apple’s biggest supplier, Foxconn. Although Apple has standards to ensure the health and safety of their workers there is extremely lax enforcement resulting in these standards being routinely violated.

References:

Bilton, Richard. “Apple ‘failing to Protect Chinese Factory Workers'” BBC News. 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.  <http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30532463>.

Workers protest atrocious working conditions

My colleague, Anton Emmanuel, recently wrote about his thoughts on Mcdonald’s new marketing strategy.  

Fastfood incumbents such as McDonald’s Corporation have been struggling to compete with the growing popularity of ‘fast casual’ restaurants that offer convenient, affordable and sustainability produced food. In response to their declining revenues, McDonald’s has devoted $1 billion USD into completely redesigning their brand image and to change public perception of the company. 

Shiny new kiosks that allow customers to customize their orders with  gourmet ingredients, table service instead of the original counter service, and a revamped menu including the first vegetarian options in over a decade are just some of the changes that have been implemented. 

In my opinion, this venture will not be successful. Dismantling the iconic brand image that took decades to cultivate simply to attempt to chase a trend is foolish. In one of our lectures, Ann told us that successful managers are ones that understand the business that they are in and know the wants of their target customer segment. McDonald’s loyal consumers simply want the cheap and fast food they are used to and they are not looking for another fast casual restaurant. Radically changing their value proposition will confuse their customers and will not give McDonald’s the returns they are expecting.

References:

“McDonald’s Rebrand: Brilliant Strategy or Foolish Failure?” Caledon Virtual. 18 May 2011. Web. 20 Oct. 2015. <http://www.caledonvirtual.com/mcdonalds-rebrand-brilliant-strategy-or-foolish-failure/>.

http://www.smarteranalyst.com/2015/04/21/will-chipotle-mexican-grill-inc-continue-dominating-the-fast-casual-segment-cmg/

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-05-06-mcdonalds-revamp_n.htm

Throughout high school, I’ve worked part time in small businesses to cover the expenses of tuition and school fees. My first job was at a beach-side restaurant. I worked at the Galley Patio and Grill for 3 years as a barista, cashier and line cook. The managers were constantly looking for ways to minimize costs and maximize efficiency. Every day something changed to make processes more efficient and employees more productive.

Some of my coworkers in the kitchen

Although I enjoyed the fast pace of restaurant work, the hours were inconsistent and I started working at a retail bakery franchise, Cupcakes, instead this September. Although there was still an emphasis on maximizing productivity, the work environment was much more relaxed.

This fall, I also worked for Elections Canada in a temporary position to carry out the federal elections. During my brief time as a Special Ballot Coordinator and Poll Clerk, I was appalled at the leadership and lack of organization from the company. For example, my coworkers would take half hour breaks, come back for 10 minutes and idly chitchat and then take another break. Vancouver Quadra and areas throughout Canada were extremely understaffed yet supervisors and management made very little effort to use resources efficiently. I heard that at some polling stations, 5 workers were assigned to check IDs when one would have been sufficient while they lacked employees to carry out other tasks that were more important.

I was surprised to learn that Elections Canada is a private company that holds a monopoly in this particular area but it explains this inefficiency. This company’s only ‘client’ is the federal government which funds the elections with taxpayer money. Unlike the other small businesses where I have been employed where the emphasis was on maximizing revenue, Elections Canada has a fixed budget with no pressure to minimize costs and maximize productivity. This resulted in supervisors allocating resources inefficiently and callously wasting taxpayer dollars.

References:

“Advance Poll Workers Decry ‘Absolutely Terrible’ Work Conditions.” Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-advance-polls-1.3270865>.

“The Role and Structure of Elections Canada.” Elections Canada On-line. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=abo&dir=role&document=index&lang=e>.

As eager young adults and teenagers search for exciting opportunities to volunteer abroad, a multitude of companies have emerged to cater to this new market. These for-profit companies make a fortune providing placements and travel arrangements for volunteers. By exploiting the plight of endangered animals, orphaned children or whatever trending issue, companies can easily charge premiums for supplying opportunities for volunteers to feel good about themselves.

After attending WE Day several years ago (an event designed to encourage youth to promote social change) I felt inspired to make a meaningful difference in the global community. I was excited to sign up for my school’s annual trip to Kenya where volunteers built orphanages and schools for underprivileged children. But something stopped me. It felt wrong and I didn’t figure out why until recently.

“Voluntourism” is a disturbing trend that is booming in popularity. Some participants use it as a method to pad resumes, improve university applications or simply for the chance to show off to their peer while others genuinely hope to make a difference. However, in many cases even the most altruistic intentions can cause severe harm. The presence of unqualified international volunteers is not only an ineffective allocation of resources, it also slows progress and perpetuates the ‘white savior” complex which contributes to modern day colonialism.

It would be significantly more cost effective, stimulative of the local economy, and efficient for charities to directly receive the money that would otherwise be spent on travel expenses and hire locals to do the work.

References:

Biddle, Pippa. “The Problem With Little White Girls, Boys and Voluntourism.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 14 Oct. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pippa-biddle/little-white-girls-voluntourism_b_4834574.html>.

Kahn, Carrie. “As ‘Voluntourism’ Explodes In Popularity, Who’s It Helping Most?” NPR. NPR. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. <http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/07/31/336600290/as-volunteerism-explodes-in-popularity-whos-it-helping-most>.

Mohamud, Ossob. “Beware the ‘Voluntourists’ Doing Good.” The Guardian. Guardian Africa Network. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/feb/13/beware-voluntourists-doing-good>.