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Home > Please, no more corporate whining!

Please, no more corporate whining!

June 3rd, 2008 at 09:26 pm

I work for a fortune 500 company in the city. These days, it is clear that the current economic environment is putting a crimp in the corporate lifestyle.

In my company for example, the first sign of trouble was when we were informed that headcount has been frozen -- corporate-speak for no more hiring. Then, the belt tightening begins: travel and entertainment budgets are being trimmed and non-essential activities are being cancelled. We all know what's coming next if this market continues its downward slide: those DREADED PINK SLIPS!

What I don't understand is why is this news to my colleagues? Are we not watching the same news programs and reading the same papers? (Hello! Wall street banks are laying off employees left and right). Yet, meeting after meeting all I see are long faces. And while I share the anxiety (after all, I could be one of the "lucky" ones with the slip in the not so distant future) I don't think my colleagues and I are worried about the same thing.

What? The summer picnic has been cancelled? Bummer. And the team offsite has been moved to the conference room? Oh well. But wait, the company also expects us to hop a train rather than a call a car service for meetings across town? And "working lunch" means I have to bring my own food to the meeting rather than expect the usual catered freebie? Blasphemy!

I don't get why everyone's upset. If it was your money, would you really take your staff of six to a steakhouse for a birthday lunch? More likely, you would be springing for a couple of pizzas and some sodas, if that.

Let the company reduce the T&E budget and cancel all the team building events they want. As long as they have the money to cover payroll, I'm happy to bring my own sandwich thank you very much.

5 Responses to “Please, no more corporate whining!”

  1. koppur Says:
    1212526206

    I think that is an awesome attitude you have. I've seen it where I work, too, people complaining about losing the silly things. Just be happy you have a job!

  2. monkeymama Says:
    1212526407

    Amen!

    I moved from a large int'l firm to a small mom and pop firm. We have had quite a few employees come through and turn up their nose at the lack of perks. What used to be frequent trips to the horse races and elaborate christmas parties is now just about nothing.

    I have always been okay with it. I moved somewhere where I expected a 10% pay cut. No pay cut, got paid overtime, and better benefits.

    I'll take this any day over all the expensive pluses. I keep thinking, "that's where all that extra 10% was going!" Wink
    Likewise, my dh's last job was very much in limbo for a couple of years before he was laid off (in 2003). It was a very small outfit but they took to mandatory unpaid vacations and eventually unpaid Fridays off, etc. We were grateful he was able to keep his job at 80% capacity or so, for as long as he was able to.

    What are people thinking?

  3. monkeymama Says:
    1212526607

    P.S. My boss makes sure to buy me my favorite cookies everytime he goes to Costco. Sometimes the little perks can be nice. As long as I have my cookies I know I am especially appreciated. Beats a fancy party any day, if you ask me...

  4. klbb90 Says:
    1212533098

    You are absolutely right! I'm definitely willing to take the perks away to keep my paycheck rolling. Life is a circle, the perks will return, I just want to be there when they come back.

  5. baselle Says:
    1212642893

    Boy no kidding.

    And if you manage by luck to work at a place where they still manage to give you a little raise, good gravy no whining about how little it is.

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