By now, you've heard that the CEO's of the big three automakers (Ford, GM and Chrysler) each took their own PRIVATE jet to DC to plead for a $25 billion dollar bailout from the federal government.
3 Execs. 3 Jets… One big bailout…
See the issue? So does Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.) who blasted the big three with the following missive:
"There's a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people
coming off of them with tin cups in their hands," Rep. Gary L. Ackerman (D-N.Y.) advised the pampered executives at a hearing yesterday. "It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high-hat and tuxedo. . . . I mean, couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here?"
Gary - how do your REALLY feel? Of course, you're right. I guess the gloves are pretty much off, based on the economy…
Hey Detroit – isn't that still an expense that hits your bottom line? That might help you forego a $25-50 billion dollar bailout? A yes/no answer will be fine; spare me the additional rationalizations. Sadly, I haven't even heard any spin from the automakers.
So, the Capitalist likes capitalism but dislikes bad PR in the wake of a bailout. Big deal. But the private jet drama got me thinking – what are the perks and signals in your workplace that tell your rank and file employees that everyone's not created equal? I started my own list below and ran a similar article over at the Capitalist, but that was about the AIG spa trips; I couldn't resist using the same theme here. Hit me in the comments with your additions and check out the comments at the capitalist about AIG here:
-Reserved Parking Spaces
-Company Cars
-Executive Elevator
-Separate Medical Benefits for Executives
-Security for executive level offices, but none for the rest of the company
-Different email storage capacities based on your position
-Top managers always get the new stuff, never allow their direct report to skip them in technology
-Different business cards for senior executives
Like Bush and Good Charlotte said, it's the little things…
What am I missing? I know there are more, and you're just the person to enlighten me. Hit me in the comments with your Big Three-like examples of bloated corporate excess you'd love to blow up, as a HR pro responsible for the flock….
Why, a corporate jet, of course!
Oh, wait, I work for an automaker….never mind.
At utility companies, gas, electric…there tend to be executive floors straight out of the Gilded Ages. As in, you step out of the elevator, and you think you’ve accidentally walked into the RitzCarlton.
The private dining rooms are nice, but those aren’t around as much as they used to be.
Living in backwoods Oregon….Everyone gets an F-150! YOU get an F-150….YOU get an F150. How new it is based on pecking order. I think we have a fleet of at least 100 to 200 of those things.
How about:
Size of office
Type of furniture
Grade of carpet
Window
Corner office
Personal secretary versus shared
Uniform vs no uniform
In big Russian companies, that belong to oligarchs top managers (C-level) find themselves in an extremely privileged position: they have corporate cars, personal drivers, sometimes bodyguard (well, oligarchs and their closest people do for sure, together with car escort that always blocks traffic in Moscow).
Companies often take care of their housemaids, education of their children, etc. They have credit cards with big budgets for representative expenses.
Inside the company, they use separate parking area, use separate elevators, go to separate dining room with chefs recruited directly from Japan, Italy, France. And many, many more…
Employees of such companies do not see their companys’ leadership much, treat them like gods, and are supposed to be afraid of them.
Expats that hold top positions are even more lucky. I know some whose enormous salaries go directly to their saving accounts, as they have no need to spend money they earn – company covers almost everything – vacations, trips home, expensive accomodation, restaurants (you can always say you had a business dinner!), etc.
But crisis will probably change a lot. An oligarch-owned company I used to work at is already cutting expenses… It would be logical to expect that they first try to save money on their C-suite perks! But who knows? Russia is different…