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Get a charitable status

Jun 26 2008 06:00

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You've got the salary, the job title, and the shiny business cards to prove your work status. So why does something feel not quite right?

If there is one big work theme for the late noughties, it's ethical working. Or at least working in a way that doesn't mean lining the pockets of a corporation whose ethos might not chime with yours. The problem is: how do you combine high ideals with actually earning a living wage?

Well you might turn to a charity, campaigning organisation, or even a faith group -- and become a corporate refugee in the "not-for-profit sector". It's a trend that is increasing, according to Joe Saxton, director of the consultancy Synergy, which specialises in working with such organisations.

Why? Saxton's diagnosis is simple: "The single word that comes to mind is 'worthwhile'. People have the feeling that the job they're doing isn't something worthwhile and feel a job in the voluntary sector is."

Life coach Libby Hartz sees it as a way people look to get greater meaning into their lives.

Going ethical could advance your career too. Libby Hodgson's first job out of university took her into the financial services sector, but she jumped ship in 2005 to a direct marketing role at Unicef. "For me, it wasn't purely a selfless decision," says Hodgson.

"I wanted to pursue a job where I was doing more innovative, high-profile marketing. I wanted to work for a known brand, which a lot of charities are."

Levels of professionalism in not-for-profit organisations can be underestimated by the commercial sector, says Hodgson: "My husband's very much, 'you just play at work, it's a charity'." But this view of not-for-profits as a cushy backwater is dying out, says Saxton.

It's not a backwater in terms of how hard you have to work, either. "There's a much higher workload," says Hodgson. "In the commercial sector, you're doing your job for a salary. In a charity, you don't feel like you can ever say no to anything. Your workload grows and grows."

CONTINUES BELOW

What about career structure and progression? "The charity sector's probably pretty weak," says Saxton. "It's less likely [than in the corporate sector] that someone starting as a graduate trainee will have a career in front of them."

Moving up can tend to mean moving on. "You would have to be prepared to compete externally with other people for a certain job."

Although you might need passion and commitment to work for a charity, it is no place for would-be Napoleons. "If you go into the charity sector expecting to sweep everyone before you with your charismatic, strong leadership style, it would be quite easy to come undone. Most organisations want consultation."

There's also the problem of salary: working in the not-for-profit sector could leave you out of pocket. Salaries tend to fall below those in the public and private sectors, although it varies from job to job. Hodgson says she took a salary cut of "about 15%" to join Unicef.

Does she miss such freebies? "If you're driven by company cars and company credit cards, then working for a charity won't tick your boxes," she says, but adds: "I don't really miss any of that. Ultimately I was bored and unfulfilled in my job."

The ethical career has perks of a different kind.

Hodgson cites a "hugely informative and rewarding" field trip she went on to Zambia. And back in the office, there is a higher level of fulfilment.

"It's very personally satisfying. You're still comparing the bottom line, but it's for a completely different purpose." -- © Guardian News & Media 2008

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