Why do some co-workers do charitable fundraising events all the time?
Is it conceivable that some fundraising events may be hiding something darker than you suspect?
When you're working on something important, do you ever find yourself in the middle of it when all of a sudden your inbox receives an email from someone who has decided to take on a monumental challenge like walking across Britain, cycling around the Egyptian pyramids, or running 5K around their neighbourhood park? All in the name of good deeds. Don't get me wrong, I think charity is fantastic, and many people have collected millions of pounds to help others, but it seems a bit odd to me when the same people in the office continue to do it.
The true mystery is why Tracey in sales or David in accounts believe they must complete a marathon. Does making amends for the horrifying crimes they perpetrated in the past make them feel good and decent? Or perhaps they didn't receive enough attention while growing up since they consistently finished last in the 100-meter race at school.
The worst charity workers are those who undertake lengthy journeys across the nation, updating you on a daily basis on how they are doing and posting pictures of them running through various weather conditions that are choreographed to show the suffering and exhaustion they are experiencing for such a worthwhile cause.
I might be tempted to give you £20 if you are willing to scale Mount Everest or spend a week exploring Chernobyl because the likelihood of you returning is quite remote.
When carrying out such a noble cause it also gets you out of doing any real work which then your co-workers have to pick up while you're prancing around the country. Once you come back after a week of running we then have to suffer the stories and adventures you experienced which gets you out of doing more work for another week.
It's also challenging to ignore the charitable individuals when they approach your desk following their valiant feat to collect the sponsorship funds you promised to pay them. It might be on this occasion you don't have any money in your possession but soon advised paying with Paypal would be an option. Always pretend you don't have an account despite the fact that everyone in the world does. Why would you carry cash in your pocket when plastic cards and mobile phones were designed to make it unnecessary?
Even worse is when they offer to cover your sponsorship costs so you can pay them back when you receive your next paycheck. Unfortunately, you still have no intention of giving them £20 when your payday comes because you need a new toolbox or handbag that you want to order online but would never use.
Funny thing is, they stop being charitable when you ask them for any form of assistance or support at work. They abruptly transform into the Slopey-shouldered worker.
The Office Bantomime Team
It would be worth mentioning to David or Tracey if they had genuinely donated the money they had made to a good cause. Are you ever tempted to inquire? Tracey is on vacation for the next two weeks in the Caribbean, but David just arrived in the parking lot with a brand-new car. It could all be a coincidence, but that's a disgusting concept. However, it's also possible that these individuals are outright criminals who are disguising their crimes beneath a worthy cause.
Would it be worthwhile to follow your colleagues who have just received sponsorship money?
It would be beneficial to keep up with them for at least a few months. After work, follow them home and observe whether they visit the bank. Take as many images as you can, and keep calling their work phone to make sure they are responding and not using the sponsorship money for any other illegal activities.
To be absolutely certain, you would need to enter their property, but keep in mind that you are not the criminal in this situation. Make sure no one is stealing the sponsorship money. Investigate any hints you come across, and if you happen to obtain the password to their computer by accident, you could just be able to hack their bank account and view their financial statements.
To make it appear like a burglary, it would be a good idea to ransack the property. It would divert the police's attention away from trying to find a coworker who is accidentally snooping for the benefit of all charities.
If they are innocent, at least you may rest easy knowing that by starting a charity in the first place, your money may have gone toward purchasing a heart monitor, feeding the hungry, or even rewarding a CEO for their excellent work.
