OT: A letter to the employee...in response to Dean on Unions

[RossValoryRocks]

I felt this deserved it's own thread to keep the football thread pure:

To All My Valued Employees,

There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.

However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.

First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.

However, what you don't see is the back story.

I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.

My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business - hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the discount store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden - the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations ... you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn't. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.

Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds.

Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:

I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.

The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.

Here is what many of you don't understand ... to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.

When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.

So where am I going with all this?

It's quite simple.

If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.

Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about ...

Signed,
Your boss

[mikemarrs]

holy shit is that the way most owners of companies are thinking these days.has it come to this?

[RossValoryRocks]

holy shit is that the way most owners of companies are thinking these days.has it come to this?

No it's hyperbole to illustrate some points...you should be able to figure them out.

[Rockindeano]

Stopped reading after the first sentence. Yeah the new political wave that has hit the country. LOL, and I especially like the comment on how the new wave has steamrolled the Constitution.

Give it a rest already Stu. Your party lost because it sucks and it fucked up.

Now I am enfuckinraged.

[Saint John]

Awesome read, Stu. I have to print that out.

[RossValoryRocks]

Stopped reading after the first sentence. Yeah the new political wave that has hit the country. LOL, and I especially like the comment on how the new wave has steamrolled the Constitution.

Give it a rest already Stu. Your party lost because it sucks and it fucked up.

Now I am enfuckinraged.

Yeah I am scared of you being "enfuckingraged"...and another thing...I am not a republican...so my "party" didn't lose shit. Oh and another thing...the Republicans are just as bad as the Democrats. They all want our money, no string attached and no accountability, just the go after it in different ways...I will give the Democrats this...at least they do it out in the open and tell you they are going to take the money you earned.

Anyways...I am registered Independent at the moment.

You quit reading because it highlights many truths that fly in face of what you believe in.

Now go back to your job, and work, or start your own business and see what it takes. I have done it, and it is VERY VERY hard...it's harder work than anything you have ever done.

[Ehwmatt]

No party won or lost. The government is fleecing us at all levels, literally stealing from us, regardless of what party they hail from. If any of you are too dumb to fucking see that, well, you reap what you sow... and we're sowing a ruined a country here. We are DONE. Fried. Cooked. Destroyed. Fucked. Goodbye United States, nice knowing you.

[Rhiannon]

No party won or lost. The government is fleecing us at all levels, literally stealing from us, regardless of what party they hail from. If any of you are too dumb to fucking see that, well, you reap what you sow... and we're sowing a ruined a country here. We are DONE. Fried. Cooked. Destroyed. Fucked. Goodbye United States, nice knowing you.

You seem like you're in a bad mood Matt... all ok over there?

[TRAGChick]

Doesn't impact me that much....I'm already unemployed.

STUDIO PRODUCERS:

Please let me know if you need Singers.
I don't care if it's CA OR CT.

[conversationpc]

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden - the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations ... you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

First of all, someone who "eats and breathes" their company every minute of the day is working too much and neglecting friends and family at the same time, something they will regret later in life. Secondly, whoever this is makes the mistake of lumping all employees into the "arrive at 9AM, mentally check in at noon" crowd. Most people don't fit that characterization, regardless of their job title. Hard work is admirable. Over-work is just as bad. Either way, something or someone is neglected.

BTW, I have done something that is harder work than whoever wrote that letter...Raising a special needs child. I'm not asking for a medal or even a pat on the back but it's one of the hardest damn jobs in the world, especially for my wife. She takes the brunt of the problems and she probably does a better job at it than I do.

[Ehwmatt]

No party won or lost. The government is fleecing us at all levels, literally stealing from us, regardless of what party they hail from. If any of you are too dumb to fucking see that, well, you reap what you sow... and we're sowing a ruined a country here. We are DONE. Fried. Cooked. Destroyed. Fucked. Goodbye United States, nice knowing you.

You seem like you're in a bad mood Matt... all ok over there?

I'm in a great mood

It's just way beyond a partisan matter any more. Both parties are robbing us blind - we need a flat tax.

[RossValoryRocks]

Doesn't impact me that much....I'm already unemployed.

STUDIO PRODUCERS:

Please let me know if you need Singers.
I don't care if it's CA OR CT.

Oh but it does...drive all the small and medium business out of this country by taxing them to death and you will NEVER have a job again.

[RossValoryRocks]

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden - the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations ... you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

First of all, someone who "eats and breathes" their company every minute of the day is working too much and neglecting friends and family at the same time, something they will regret later in life. Secondly, whoever this is makes the mistake of lumping all employees into the "arrive at 9AM, mentally check in at noon" crowd. Most people don't fit that characterization, regardless of their job title. Hard work is admirable. Over-work is just as bad. Either way, something or someone is neglected.

Ok Dave...it is HYPERBOLE...to illustrate some points...

And as for your assertion...that IS what it takes to get a company off the ground...80+ hour weeks...and then some...

[Ehwmatt]

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden - the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations ... you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

First of all, someone who "eats and breathes" their company every minute of the day is working too much and neglecting friends and family at the same time, something they will regret later in life. Secondly, whoever this is makes the mistake of lumping all employees into the "arrive at 9AM, mentally check in at noon" crowd. Most people don't fit that characterization, regardless of their job title. Hard work is admirable. Over-work is just as bad. Either way, something or someone is neglected.

I think he's addressing entry-level people more than anything. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen the secretaries and what not in my department sitting there losing important documents, surfing the web shopping for clothes, talking on the phone, talking about the latest fad diet, and generally doing anything not resembling work. The guy is making a great point that would be much better communicated with a softer tone and better choice of words, but I understand what he's saying.

[conversationpc]

Doesn't impact me that much....I'm already unemployed.

STUDIO PRODUCERS:

Please let me know if you need Singers.
I don't care if it's CA OR CT.

Oh but it does...drive all the small and medium business out of this country by taxing them to death and you will NEVER have a job again.

Small businesses are the biggest employers nationwide. Sure, there are the huge Wal Marts, AT&Ts, etc., but a majority of Americans work for small businesses.

[TRAGChick]

Doesn't impact me that much....I'm already unemployed.

STUDIO PRODUCERS:

Please let me know if you need Singers.
I don't care if it's CA OR CT.

Oh but it does...drive all the small and medium business out of this country by taxing them to death and you will NEVER have a job again.

....hah....??

DUDE - I'm sending out a message that I WANT TO DO JINGLES, BACKING VOX, AND/OR VOICE-OVER WORK.

[conversationpc]

I think he's addressing entry-level people more than anything. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen the secretaries and what not in my department sitting there losing important documents, surfing the web shopping for clothes, talking on the phone, talking about the latest fad diet, and generally doing anything not resembling work. The guy is making a great point that would be much better communicated with a softer tone and better choice of words, but I understand what he's saying.

I also can't tell you the amount of times I've seen so-called executives giving other employees the shaft, backstabbing, and kissing ass to get ahead rather than just hard work. In my experience, there are about an equal percentage of hard workers, with the exception of the perpetually poor, at all levels. Each income level has its own inherent pitfalls that cause them to be less than what they should be.

[artist4perry]

Doesn't impact me that much....I'm already unemployed.

STUDIO PRODUCERS:

Please let me know if you need Singers.
I don't care if it's CA OR CT.

Oh but it does...drive all the small and medium business out of this country by taxing them to death and you will NEVER have a job again.

....hah....??

DUDE - I'm sending out a message that I WANT TO DO JINGLES, BACKING VOX, AND/OR VOICE-OVER WORK.

Unfortunately during hard times these are jobs that get short changed or cut. They just don't want to do anything that costs any money, not even ads.

[Ehwmatt]

I think he's addressing entry-level people more than anything. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen the secretaries and what not in my department sitting there losing important documents, surfing the web shopping for clothes, talking on the phone, talking about the latest fad diet, and generally doing anything not resembling work. The guy is making a great point that would be much better communicated with a softer tone and better choice of words, but I understand what he's saying.

I also can't tell you the amount of times I've seen so-called executives giving other employees the shaft, backstabbing, and kissing ass to get ahead rather than just hard work. In my experience, there are about an equal percentage of hard workers, with the exception of the perpetually poor, at all levels. Each income level has its own inherent pitfalls that cause them to be less than what they should be.

Yep. And I think we are about to see a revolution in the types of people filling CEO and other high-level positions. Before, Boards of Exeuctives we're looking for flamboyant personalities before anything else. Now, I think we are entering an era that sees them looking for more stoic, proven, hard-working, ethical businessmen who care about their impact on their respective companies to fill these positions.

[Rick]

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden - the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations ... you never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made.

First of all, someone who "eats and breathes" their company every minute of the day is working too much and neglecting friends and family at the same time, something they will regret later in life. Secondly, whoever this is makes the mistake of lumping all employees into the "arrive at 9AM, mentally check in at noon" crowd. Most people don't fit that characterization, regardless of their job title. Hard work is admirable. Over-work is just as bad. Either way, something or someone is neglected.

Ok Dave...it is HYPERBOLE...to illustrate some points...

And as for your assertion...that IS what it takes to get a company off the ground...80+ hour weeks...and then some...

This paints working class America with the same brush. It's inflammatory and irresponsible.

I could post an equally long diatribe in rebuttal, but instead, since reading this, I think I'll quit my job and live off the government.

[conversationpc]

Yep. And I think we are about to see a revolution in the types of people filling CEO and other high-level positions. Before, Boards of Exeuctives we're looking for flamboyant personalities before anything else. Now, I think we are entering an era that sees them looking for more stoic, proven, hard-working, ethical businessmen who care about their impact on their respective companies to fill these positions.

I certainly hope so.

[conversationpc]

This paints working class America with the same brush. It's inflammatory and irresponsible.

I could post an equally long diatribe in rebuttal, but instead, since reading this, I think I'll quit my job and live off the government.

You work?

[TRAGChick]

Doesn't impact me that much....I'm already unemployed.

STUDIO PRODUCERS:

Please let me know if you need Singers.
I don't care if it's CA OR CT.

Oh but it does...drive all the small and medium business out of this country by taxing them to death and you will NEVER have a job again.

....hah....??

DUDE - I'm sending out a message that I WANT TO DO JINGLES, BACKING VOX, AND/OR VOICE-OVER WORK.

Unfortunately during hard times these are jobs that get short changed or cut.

They just don't want to do anything that costs any money, not even ads.

You're right; considering I was laid off from an Ad Traffic Coordinator position...
....still....I gotta put it out there....I'm not gonna shut up.

[Rick]

This paints working class America with the same brush. It's inflammatory and irresponsible.

I could post an equally long diatribe in rebuttal, but instead, since reading this, I think I'll quit my job and live off the government.

You work?

Sometimes, in between my long but well deserved chatboard lunch breaks.

[artist4perry]

Yep. And I think we are about to see a revolution in the types of people filling CEO and other high-level positions. Before, Boards of Exeuctives we're looking for flamboyant personalities before anything else. Now, I think we are entering an era that sees them looking for more stoic, proven, hard-working, ethical businessmen who care about their impact on their respective companies to fill these positions.

I certainly hope so.

Hardwork and loyalty is seldom rewarded anymore, depending on the employer. The majority I have seen make you think you have a chance to advance, make you jump through hoops for years to get it, then give it to an incompetent nephew.

[conversationpc]

This paints working class America with the same brush. It's inflammatory and irresponsible.

I could post an equally long diatribe in rebuttal, but instead, since reading this, I think I'll quit my job and live off the government.

You work?

Sometimes, in between my long but well deserved chatboard lunch breaks.

OK...I get it...You work from 1:00-5:00 after you've mentally checked in for the day.

[Rick]

Yep. And I think we are about to see a revolution in the types of people filling CEO and other high-level positions. Before, Boards of Exeuctives we're looking for flamboyant personalities before anything else. Now, I think we are entering an era that sees them looking for more stoic, proven, hard-working, ethical businessmen who care about their impact on their respective companies to fill these positions.

I certainly hope so.

Hardwork and loyalty is seldom rewarded anymore, depending on the employer. The majority I have seen make you think you have a chance to advance, make you jump through hoops for years to get it, then give it to an incompetent nephew.

Never underestimate the value of an incompetent nephew. When the company fails, he can help you move out of your mansion.

[Michigan Girl]

Yep. And I think we are about to see a revolution in the types of people filling CEO and other high-level positions. Before, Boards of Exeuctives we're looking for flamboyant personalities before anything else. Now, I think we are entering an era that sees them looking for more stoic, proven, hard-working, ethical businessmen who care about their impact on their respective companies to fill these positions.

I certainly hope so.

and what took so long....

[conversationpc]

Hardwork and loyalty is seldom rewarded anymore, depending on the employer. The majority I have seen make you think you have a chance to advance, make you jump through hoops for years to get it, then give it to an incompetent nephew.

I've experienced that personally at my company...I've been there for 10+ years and raises are hard to come by though I've done what I've been asked to do and more and do it to the best of my ability. The management treats people like crap. If it wasn't for the fact that my supervisor works at our corporate office in North Carolina and that I actually like my coworkers at our Indianapolis office, I'd probably have quit and gotten another job a long time ago.

[artist4perry]

Yep. And I think we are about to see a revolution in the types of people filling CEO and other high-level positions. Before, Boards of Exeuctives we're looking for flamboyant personalities before anything else. Now, I think we are entering an era that sees them looking for more stoic, proven, hard-working, ethical businessmen who care about their impact on their respective companies to fill these positions.

I certainly hope so.

Hardwork and loyalty is seldom rewarded anymore, depending on the employer. The majority I have seen make you think you have a chance to advance, make you jump through hoops for years to get it, then give it to an incompetent nephew.

Never underestimate the value of an incompetent nephew. When the company fails, he can help you move out of your mansion.

He's too busy getting the high score on WOW.............LOL!