Federal workplace charity donations delayed over Phoenix fears

When the federal government rolls out its annual workplace charitable campaign this morning, it will advise departments to delay collecting pledges from employees until the dust from the Phoenix pay system fiasco settles.

The precaution a first in the campaign's historycomes as some public servants say they're afraid tosign up for automatic payroll deductions over fears it could lead to other problems with their pay.

• Deadline to fix Phoenixproblems'unrealistic,' union says
• Hundreds more public servants come forward with pay problems

Since January, more than 80,000 public servants have reported being overpaid, underpaid or not paid at allduring the government's transition to the newPhoenix pay system.

Some said they've maxedoutcredit cards, takenoutloans, gone on stress leave or even quit their jobs entirely over the debacle.

I just don't want to go through the headache ...I wouldn't want it to affect my pay.- Emmanuelle Parker, Statistics Canada employee

Statistics Canada worker Emmanuelle Parker hasn't been affected by the Phoenix mess, and wantsit to stay that way.

"I just don't want to go through that headache," said Parker."I wouldn't want it to affect my pay.I would be on the safe side and not contribute for this year anyway."

The federal public service is the single largest workplace contributorto the campaign, raising $33.6 million for 5,600 charities last year.Of that, $5.3 million went to campaign co-managerUnited Way and charities under its umbrella.

So farthe Phoenix fallout hasn't reached United Way Ottawa, according to the non-profit organization's president and CEO, Michael Allen.

"We've seen no disruption or blips at all in the context of our giving from federal public servants," said Allen.

But with current pledges set to expire in the new year, that could change.

Most signed up forautomatic withdrawal

Currently more than 70 per cent of the 38,986federal public servants who contribute to the campaign have their donations automatically deducted from their pay. But they signed up before the Phoenix problems began, and some may think twice before renewing their pledges.

Public servant Jennifer Arkell has donated generously to the campaign for a decade,but is considering holding off.

"I'd certainly be hesitant," saidArkell, whose pay hasn't been affected by the Phoenix problems."Do you really want to rock a boatthat's not rocked right now?"

Public servant nervous about automatic payroll donations for charity

8 years ago

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Statistics Canada worker, Jennifer Arkell, nervous about automatic payroll deductions for charity due to Phoenix pay problems

United Way Ottawa says it'swell aware of the apprehension among public servants, and is taking steps to manage and mitigate their concerns.

"We want to be respectful, and there's a sense it'sinopportuneto ask them to give to their community when they themselvesare struggling," said Allen.

Holding off until Oct. 31

Instead of asking public servants for their pledges today, the workplace campaignis recommendingfederal departments hold off until Oct. 31, when the minister overseeing the fix of thePhoenix payroll system promised many of the issues would be resolved.

For the next two monthsthe campaign will focus on reminding public servants why donating is so important, and sharingpersonal stories about how their donations help improve thelives of seniors, new Canadians, people with disabilities and childrenat risk.

"We believe the campaign will be successful again this year," wrote the chair of this year's campaign, WilliamPentney, in an email to CBC News. "Public servants have a strong tradition of giving generously ... even when campaigns have unfolded during challenging periods."

The workplace campaign plans toreveal its dollar goal at its launch with the GovernorGeneral at Rideau Hall at11:45a.m.