Like everyone else I'm watching the economy and with each article of how companies are struggling and impending layoffs.... I can't help but wonder ... just what will the CEO take home this year.  I'm not talking about small businesses, they're suffering, for sure.  I am talking about the giants.  The corporate greed is disgusting and who is taking the hit, the employee.

I often think how our generation really got the short end of the stick.  I grew up when people held onto jobs and employers actually tried to retain employees.   Many of my parents generation stayed with the same company throughout their working years.  My father-in-law worked for a steel mill right out of school and worked there until the day he retired.  It's very rare today.

Companies are no longer loyal to their employees.  Oh they say they want to retain employees.... but when it really comes down to it... employees have become expendable... when the balance sheet needs improving, the first things to go are employees, not management bonus' or perks.  Never mind, the bulk of a companies expenses are being sucked off at the top.  It's outrageous what the CEOs of large companies are paid... I'm sorry, no one is worth 35 million dollars a year.... And just maybe if that salary and the salary of VPs at the top were more reasonable... there would be enough for the line staff.... or maybe have money in reserve for when business slumps.  

We expect people to be fiscally smart and save for that rainy day, so what happened to companies doing the same thing?  

All I hear in the back of my mind is that line from the movie Wall Street.... Michael Douglas with his slicked back hair standing their telling the audience.... "Greed is Good".... Well... no its not.

Businesses always had peak and valley times and they prepared for those inevitable slumps.  They weren't quick to layoff.  There was a time when an experienced person was valued... I just don't think they are valued today.  In fact, I think they are looked at as a liability because they're paid more.... and why are they paid more?... the accumulation of  hard earned raises.  I'm not sure where the notion of new people coming into the workplace at the same rate as experienced employees started... but I think that was the beginning of the end.  

I have witnessed so much corporate greed and indifference that I decided to become a consultant... my job isn't as stable... but I'm compensated more for that instability... besides all stability got me was a memo from a VP that said my position had been eliminated.  

So me and over 300 others... all "seasoned employees"... got the heave ho.... right before Thanksgiving ... oh there was a severance package... which I was grateful for... but really... it just made me realize... no one was going to care whether or not I was employed or not... no matter that I was the most skilled... the bottom line was I was the highest paid in the group...they just wanted to fix the balance sheet so they got their next set of bonus', which by the way... they did get healthy bonus'.  That was 2002.  It's been a roller coaster ride ever since.

Has it been worth it?  I guess when everything is said and done, yes it was.  I made double what I would have made in about 6 months instead of a year... but psychologically... I have to say... its tough...  I think people want to be valued, I know I would.  I would much rather work for a company for a fair wage, if I knew that I wouldn't have a big old bulls eye on my forehead the next time times get tight.

Our economy is in what it's in because of GREED, pure and simple.

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