There is NO GOOD in GOODWILL in the literal sense of the word, Goodwill, which this response from Search Labs (AI Overview) proves beyond a reasonable doubt. I asked Google, “What does it mean to have Goodwill towards others?” ANSWER: “To have ‘goodwill’ towards others means to have a friendly, helpful, and positive attitude towards them, essentially wishing them well and being inclined to act kindly or generously without expecting anything in return; it signifies a sense of benevolence and good intentions towards others.” Search Labs | AI Overview
GOODWILL Does Some Good Things (to Profit)
I posted the following on Facebook in response to a promotional article about a young lady who used Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA on her road to success. Goodwill used the article to try to get people to donate:
I congratulate the young lady but know the truth behind the business: I worked for Goodwill Industries of North Georgia for five years and watched it become a predatory company by increasing prices on a population struggling with inflation, all while the company was reaping RECORD PROFITS. And to increase profits more, paying its store level employees less than competitors who bought their inventories. Goodwill does some good things, but only where the store can prosper at the cost of customers and employees.
CORPORATE GREED TOOK THE GOOD OUT OF GOODWILL
As a former employee, I was asked to take a survey and am providing excerpts below from my answers. For this blog I am creating subheadings that were not included in this copy of my Facebook post or in the survey.
Modified Version Shared with Public on Facebook
I took a survey about my experience as a Goodwill employee. I left off the actual questions because the system wouldn’t allow me to copy them. A lot of what I wrote was for those I left behind who I still love and care for, who I wish I could help. Maybe some of my course statements will have a positive effect. At least, so I pray:
How I Felt About Employment At GOODWILL
I worked for Goodwill for over five years and saw constant price increases and changes in the company I did not like or support (especially, eCommerce by taking anything out of the stores that was valuable to be sold online). Goodwill does NOT respect long-term employees, proven by paying new employees the same amount of those who invested years of their lives into what become a predatory company that takes advantage of store level employees and its customers by overpricing items that makes it more difficult for people in a struggling economy, while reaping RECORD PROFITS. I no longer wanted to be a part of Goodwill because of all the above. Other employees have the same sentiment but fear speaking out because of possible retaliation by management.
TEAM MEMBER BS
The team concept is pushed by Goodwill but not practiced. As an EST (Environmental Service Technician) in a large store with 30,000 SQ. Ft., who often helps in other areas, such as at the Donor Door to get donations inside or moved around in areas, some tasks cannot be done until people are not in an area, or when no customers are in the store. Many functions are time-consuming and to complete the required tasks at closing is challenging, but rarely did other employees help to get some of the functions needed before leaving, and instead of helping, stood around talking or just waiting for the EST to complete his tasks. However, sometimes other employees would act as a true team member by asking if anything needed to be done that he or she could help with.
How I Felt About the Store Manager
Kevin was always willing to help other employees, but often got spread too thin; especially, when people called in and the store was short in various areas, including the donor door that receives numerous donations that needs to be brought inside the store before closing and throughout the day. I view him as a caring person who really wants to do his part to fulfill his duties as the store manager, but some of the expectations that the corporate office put on him and other managers I knew throughout the years, were unreasonable and unattainable given the circumstances that arise when working inside the store. I watched the negative effect on him and the other managers because of the demands placed on him and the staff as a whole, because of people who do NOT have a clue about what it takes for a manager to accomplish their demands, often used as reasons to deny promotions or other benefits.
I wrote that in defense of Kevin and other store managers because I know how hard he tries to do the impossible for an ungrateful corporation, as was evidence by the store only being given a BBQ meal after accomplishing being one of five stores that exceeded $3,000.000 dollars. BBQ in place of monetary rewards to the manager and team member who helped the organization to make substantial profit shows what Goodwill, as a corporation, thinks about their employees. I loved and cared for my team members and the customers and stayed with Goodwill much longer that I normally would have, as I know is also true for Kevin, who is a good manager that goes the extra mile to perform his duties.
My Thoughts on the Environment and Work Conditions
I enjoyed working with the customers and my peers, some of whom I knew liked the fact that I showed my concern by keeping the store clean in the most important areas, and because I acknowledged their presence and addressed any concerns within my area of responsibility and sometimes beyond. For the most part, I did have what was needed to perform my duties, but sometimes I could not do what was needed because of the lack of supplies, which was usually due to the budget or administrative restrictions. Overall, though, the environment and work conditions were okay, but sometimes were affected by the attitude or disposition of those in managerial positions.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND WHY I QUIT GOODWILL
I feel like the corporate management lost focus about what Goodwill is supposed to be about and effectively took the “GOOD” out of Goodwill by increasing prices at the expense of their customers, and by paying store level employees less than competitors so that the corporation makes more profits. All of that shows corporate greed and there is nothing Good about a company who should actually have “goodwill” towards others, but allows their policies and practices to show a lack of concern for those who help them become the business that they have become over the years. Because of those feelings, I often suggested to others to donate to actual charities rather than Goodwill, because I saw so many things thrown away because of various reasons, sometimes just due to a lack of place to put them or other associated needs.
And also because of customers being led to believe that they are donating to a non-profit organization, which is only true, in part. Everything that goes on inside the stores and donation centers is “for profit.”
Whether intentional or not, I watched corporate management for Goodwill Industries of North Georgia succeed taking the Good out of Goodwill that I write because of everything stated above. And because of my strong feelings about what I witnessed over the last five years, I am glad to no longer be employed by such an ungrateful organization.
However, I will forever be grateful to the managers who gave me an opportunity to prove myself and allowed me to successfully reintegrate into society after having served thirty-years in federal prison. In many ways I loved Goodwill and regret seeing it deteriorate during the time I worked for Goodwill Industries of North Georgia. I still love and care for the men and women who make up Goodwill on the store level, but I lost respect for the organization and knew it was time for me to leave.
To learn more about Wayne T. Dowdy, please read his personal magazine, Essays & More Straight from the Pen that may be purchased at Amazon or your favorite bookseller, including Walmart online, and read his blog at https://straightfromthepen.com/2024/08/10/essays-more-straight-from-the-pen/
Before you read the book, be aware that some of the essays contain intense scenes based upon facts of his life before he decided to become a better person in 1995.