Polish firms begin to follow U.S. lead by initiating "strategic charity"

Following the footsteps of firms from the U.S. and western Europe, Polish companies are increasingly prone to practice "strategic charity," which instead of cash donations provides time, tools, and expertise of experienced workers for free. According to Anna Smolka of the Polish Confederation of Private Employers (PKPP), companies complain that they are often asked for financial support, whereas they have not only capital, but also their staff and time to offer free of charge. "Companies should not offer cash. When I once sent some money to someone who asked for support, it turned out that person was accused of wheedling money out of many other companies," says Henryk Orfinger of the Polish Business Board (PRB). (Rzeczpospolita, June 9-10, p. A4) A.Z.