Goodwill Industries Pros And Cons

Goodwill Industries International Inc Goodwill Industries International Inc. is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1902 by Reverend Edgar J. Helms in Boston, Massachusetts. Currently Goodwill is a worldwide nonprofit organization that serves in 17 countries, with 162 independent, local Goodwills in the United States and Canada. The clothing and household goods donated to Goodwill are sold in more than 3,200 Goodwill retail stores, as well as its Internet auction site shopgoodwill.com. Goodwill provides job training, programs for youth, seniors, as well as veterans and people with disabilities who have barriers preventing them from otherwise obtaining a job. In addition, Goodwill Industries may hire individuals who lack

Disabilities that may affect productive capacity include blindness, mental illness, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, alcoholism, and drug addiction.” (Dept. of Labor). In this paper we will take a look at the pros and the cons of Goodwill employment policies, and we will try to answer a question “ Is Goodwill’s wage policy fair and ethical in todays society? There is no doubt about it that Goodwill is doing what most of the companies don’t, and that is hiring people with disabilities. In many cases it is not about the paycheck for the disabled employees, it is about doing something meaningful and fulfilling. They enjoy coming to work everyday, they enjoy the experience, the environment they are in, the adult interaction. Very often those who are mentally or physically challenged, end up staying home, with no social interaction. A lot of times these individuals live at home with caregivers who have to go to work, which means they are alone most of the day. Goodwill not only offers job training and employment but it offers support and a place to go. It is important for parents to know that their child is in a safe place and they don not have to worry so much. Fran Davidson, whose son Jeremy has worked at Goodwill in Great Falls, Montana, for more than a decade said “I know he’s

there is more cons when it comes to this particular situation. Goodwill is taking advantage of the disabled employees that work long hours for pennies, some earning as low as 22, 38 and 41 cents per hour. It is astonishing that a company that in 2016 generated total revenue of $5.71 billion pays their employees less than the federal minimum wage. “Harold Leigland, however, said he feels that Goodwill can pay him a low wage because the company knows he has few other places to go. “We are trapped,” he said. “Everybody who works at Goodwill is trapped.” (MSNBC). Goodwill knowing that they might be their only choice, takes advantage of the disabled by paying them pennies for the work performed. I completely understand that for some the experience of work is more important than the pay, but they should be paid at least the minimum