Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I needed to get permission from Erica for NOTES to accept a direct
    quote.  When Erica sent me permission she referenced a memo she had
    sent to another Digital employee who had supported my original memo to
    her.
    
    	"My response to Michelle [sic] was apparently misquoted
    	[misinterpreted].  Digital does not sign agreements with vendors
    	of products or services, so that our employees may receive
    	discounts in exchange for our communicating promotional material.
    	Vendors who offer discounts or post information do so at their own
    	initiative and with a disclaimer from Digital.  Some vendors go
    	for this, but many, who are looking to access our internal
    	communications channels for their own marketing purposes, do not."
    
    I spoke with KinderCare about this second memo.  KinderCare does not
    want just anyone walking into their centers and saying they work for
    so-and-so and that they are entitled to a 10% discount.  This is a
    special program just for valid participating industries.  This is
    another reason why KinderCare would like Digital to sign the contract. 
    KinderCare does require proof of employment (i.e., badge) before they
    will give anyone a discount.
    
    My Center Director let me look through the list of industries that are
    currently participating in this program.  KinderCare has about 250+/-
    corporations who are currently participating.  Many of these
    corporations are also giving their employees an additional percentage
    out of the company's pocket.  These companies apparently did not have
    a problem signing the contract.
    
    I still believe that something can be worked out.  Are there any legal
    people out there who can find fallacies in this second statement and/or
    are there ways around this?  I would think that the Michigan Digital
    Legal Department should have the same knowledge as the Corporate Legal
    Department--how come Michigan Legal approved it?  Personally, I don't
    believe this information has gone past Erica.
    
    I am still not satisfied with her "no" answer yet.  I have not
    received a valid enough explanation as to why Digital (especially
    during these times) is not willing to try and work out a benefit for
    its employees at NO EXPENSE to Digital!!!
    
    KinderCare is trying to contact Erica.  I will update this note as
    progress continues.

    KinderCare made contact with Erica.  The following is a summary from
    KinderCare.
    
    -	Erica stated that Digital does not sign any agreements with vendors
    	for employee discounts.
    
    -	Erica stated that Digital does not send out any electronic mail or
    	fliers for/on any discount program or vendor--company policy 
    	prohibits Digital from using it networks for these purposes.
    
    -	Erica did say that vendors may distribute literature at a
    	designated spot within a Digital building as long as there is a
    	Digital disclaimer nearby.
    
    -	KinderCare is mailing Erica a copy of the contract and other 
    	materials regarding the Kid-Industry program.  However, Erica made
    	it clear that Digital would still not sign the contract.
    
    -	KinderCare is checking into waving the contract for just the
    	Digital (Michigan) 12 Mile and Haggerty Road/Orchard Lake
    	facilities.
    
    Any comments/suggestions?
    
    I will update this note as progress continues.
    
                                                              

Just wanted to say that I've been through this same mess with Children's
World.  No luck.  Could be saving me 10% on my child care at no cost to
Digital.  Interesting to read this note at the same time I read the one
about Digital falling from grace in Working Mother's "best to work for"
companies!

Kristen

    re: .2
    
    Erica may or may not be aware of the following, so it may be worth
    bringing to her attention. However, this might only be applicable to
    the New England area (although there were some vendors listed from 
    other parts of the country...)
    
    DEC might not distibute E-mail or fliers regarding particular vendor
    discounts, but it *does* maintain an on-line directory of vendors who
    offer employee discounts. It can be found on VTX Livewire as follows:
    
    	- select VTX Livewire
    	- select 'Greater Maynard Area Menu'
    	- select 'Activities'
    	- select 'Discount Directory'
    
    Here's what it says about applying for a listing in the directory:
    (Extracted directly from Livewire using DECwindows cut & paste...)
    
                              APPLICATION PROCESS
    
    Vendors who wish to extend a discount to Digital employees MUST
    adhere to the following guidelines:
      
    o  Submit offer in writing, consisting of 6 lines or less to:
                  Digital Equipment Corporation
                  Employee Services & Recreation
                  111 Powdermill Road
                  Maynard, MA 01754-1418
                  MSO2-1/E12
       
    o  Offers must be written on company letterhead or official company forms.
       
    o  Include description of business and offer being made.
       
    o  Discount must be a minimum of 20% for services offered.
       
    o  No discount will be accepted for less than six months duration.
          
    Discounts will be included in our directory until we receive written
    notification from you that the offer is being changed or withdrawn from
    the next printed directory unless you state that your offer is for six
    months duration only.
    
    o  The discount must be available to any Digital employee who shows
    a company identification badge.
       
    o  List location and telephone number.  Any internal requests must
    list outside business telephone numbers.  No DTNs will be allowed.
    
    o  Offers must be signed by a person authorized to do so and be
    identified by title.
          
    

    
    re: .4
    
    I think the difference is that DIGITAL is being ask to sign a 
    contract (for nothing, but a contract nonetheless) with Kindercare.
    I think that may be what Erica is uncomfortable with.
    
    Carol

< Could be saving me 10% on my child care at no cost to Digital.  

Interesting.  My Children's World *does* give the 10% discount, yet I've
never seen anything here at DEC about them (nor have I looked).  They just told
me about it one day ("Say, Carol, you work for Digital, don't you?  We're
giving you a 10% discount.")! 

     Carol

    
    < My Children's World *does* give the 10% discount...
    
    Carol, 
    
    	What Children's World does your child attend?  My daughter is 
    in a Children's World center and I'd love to get a 10% discount.
    I just spoke to the director of my center and she wasn't aware of this.
    I live in MA do you live in another state?
    
    	Even if you do live in another state, perhaps I can arrange to have
    the discount valid for other states as well.  If one state Center+DEC
    do it perhaps others can.  
    
    	Every little bit helps!
    
    Rose Marie

As I told Rose Marie by email, I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I think any business can give a discount to employees of any company that
they want to.  Digital doesn't give much in return, but word of mouth can
make it worthwhile to a company to still give the discount.

     Carol

    I pushed back on KinderCare to see if there was anyway the contact 
    could be waved since it wasn't binding anyway.
    
    On an individual basis (geographical), KinderCare has agreed to do this. 
    I spoke with Erica Fox and she confirmed that this did not violate any
    company policies and that KinderCare could offer Digital employees a 
    10% discount.  KinderCare can also place literature in a designated
    area within a Digital building as long as there is a Digital disclaimer
    nearby.
    
    Erica also gave me the local number for the Referral Service so that
    KinderCare can register themselves there.  The Referral Service is
    by geography also.
    
    Erica did mention the discount directory on VTX, but she was also uncertain
    if this was just MA local--I'll check into it.
    
    If other localities would like to also receive this discount, have your
    KinderCare Center Director contact Kathy Turnquist, Northville, MI,
    KinderCare Center Director, at 313-477-4233.
    
    This may be the same kind of situation with Child World.
    

    The Discount Directory must just be local for MA--I can't find it anywhere. 
    Too bad, something like that would be nice to have, at least U.S. wide. 
    I wonder if this falls under the same policy restrictions--Digital
    cannot use its networks to market products (but they can on a
    geographical basis????).