Reading this article, R2 Million of Ratepayers Money on ANC Councillor Tickets to Springboks All Blacks Test reminded me of just how unfair and unthinking some businesses can be towards their staff. Maybe this could be not only a lesson for our Municipality and the image that they portray to Ratepayers but also for listed business that need to answer to shareholders and rely on their shares holding value.
A certain listed business in Port Elizabeth let it be known that they were considering an out of the ordinary, middle of the year, across the board salary increase for their hard working staff.
Now, those employees who are working double income, more than two kids, just servicing debt stiffs have pretty plain and simple lives so the promise of an unexpected increase is the stuff of dreams. Moreover the possibilities produced by more money flowing into the family unit are discussed ad nauseum until the employee develops greater loyalty and love for the business that they spend most of the time in.
Then the employee is hit with a TRIPLE whammy:
- It is announced that the increase is not possible as ‘finances are tight’, everyone is instructed to pull together and ‘tighten their belts’ in order for the business to survive and even consider granting further increases, bonuses or 13th cheques going into the future.
- The entire executive team then flit off for three days of golf on a magnificent course far away from the scene of employee disappointment.
- Rubbing salt into the wound, the executive team then hire a suite at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and take themselves and their wives off to watch the Springboks All Blacks test match.
Way to go Guys, you showed the workers just who is boss!
