I’m old enough to remember when employers valued their workforce and provided a means to move up the so called “corporate ladder” though training, increased responsibilities, great benefits and higher salaries. They knew that their success was a direct correlation of a highly trained, happy and loyal workforce. At the time employers wer…
I’m old enough to remember when employers valued their workforce and provided a means to move up the so called “corporate ladder” though training, increased responsibilities, great benefits and higher salaries. They knew that their success was a direct correlation of a highly trained, happy and loyal workforce. At the time employers were also competing with union jobs, they knew what they had to do to keep workers from leaving for often better union positions.
That changed in the 80’s and 90’s, when corporate focus was outsourcing, shareholder profits and globalization of the workforce. Corporate excuses for mass layoffs and reduced benefits was called “Right Sizing,” which basically meant, more profits for CEO’s and shareholders at the cost of American worker. Corporate conservatives used, and still do, rhetoric like “be happy to have a job,” if you aren’t we have a hundred other people who are waiting in line to take yours.
Employees at my workforce were given the book “Who Moved my Cheese,” which really was a warning of what happens if one doesn’t conform, though disguised as a read of teamwork and self-motivation. Sigh, so obvious.
Change is overdue and I’m very happy to see what’s happening today in the workforce. People are taking back their choices, they’re no longer allowing profit hungry companies to threaten, dictate and abuse. Unions are now being recognized again for the enormous benefit they provide to workers. This is a good and necessary change, kudos to this generation, they will move the pendulum back to where it should be.
I’m old enough to remember when employers valued their workforce and provided a means to move up the so called “corporate ladder” though training, increased responsibilities, great benefits and higher salaries. They knew that their success was a direct correlation of a highly trained, happy and loyal workforce. At the time employers were also competing with union jobs, they knew what they had to do to keep workers from leaving for often better union positions.
That changed in the 80’s and 90’s, when corporate focus was outsourcing, shareholder profits and globalization of the workforce. Corporate excuses for mass layoffs and reduced benefits was called “Right Sizing,” which basically meant, more profits for CEO’s and shareholders at the cost of American worker. Corporate conservatives used, and still do, rhetoric like “be happy to have a job,” if you aren’t we have a hundred other people who are waiting in line to take yours.
Employees at my workforce were given the book “Who Moved my Cheese,” which really was a warning of what happens if one doesn’t conform, though disguised as a read of teamwork and self-motivation. Sigh, so obvious.
Change is overdue and I’m very happy to see what’s happening today in the workforce. People are taking back their choices, they’re no longer allowing profit hungry companies to threaten, dictate and abuse. Unions are now being recognized again for the enormous benefit they provide to workers. This is a good and necessary change, kudos to this generation, they will move the pendulum back to where it should be.