If you have a hard time facing truth and get depressed rapidly then don’t read any further. The intent of this article is not to depress anyone. However, like they say, the truth shall set you free. I don’t profess to be correct, right, wrong or anything else. This is just my opinion based on my experiences and of those whom I’ve come into contact with over an extensive and diversified career and who are and have experienced similar circumstances. I certainly am a contributor to my own situation because of the choices I have made in my life. I placed my company and loyalty above my personal goals and I am reaping the consequences. However, those choices are not all the reasons for my current circumstances. So if you’re ready, lets proceed.
I recently challenged the governments survey on unemployment rates and was informed that they include everyone. Today in the newspaper [Dec 02, 2005 -] the government just announced 215,000 new jobs were created]. Well what does that mean? Here I am in December and I've just been advised there are no extensions for people in Florida because of their low unemployment percentages. The government does not see a need to provide any continued help because we are such a prosperous state. They did advise I see the state placement people for help. I guess a good laugh is ok at this festive holiday time. To get on with it- I happen to know of people who never registered and they were never in their statistics. I for one remain unemployed for sometime now. Here we are in June and they continue with the 4.7% unemployment rate. Realizing the survey is via a selection process they never seem to call those persons who are still unemployed, never found a job, are working multiple jobs at minimum pay, are working low paying jobs with no benefits, or are working part time with no benefits, or have commission jobs which cost them what little they have while making zero. You can forget about those working off the books to survive because no one wants to know how many of these there are. Also, never do you see the statistics on these aspects. It’s like owning your own M.L.M.-just sign up your family, friends and neighbors, your list of 100. I just have to find the right product out of thousands and get in first. By the way the government includes this as small business growth. It really sounds better. Also, they talk of the sectors that are growing - restaurant help- retail- we all know what these jobs pay. Of the high tech jobs one wonders how many of those filled are with Americans verses green card holders and other foreign citizens?
Being 60, my management experience is about 80% of my working years. [By the way I'm still looking and unemployed and 2 pensions gone later] I feel that qualifies for some experience with this topic. If you ask the government about discrimination they will tell you that there are laws against that and then proceed to advise you that discrimination is very hard to prove. [Please review Monster.Com newsletter Dated Dec 08, 2005 for more on this topic]. They look right at you and tell you this, then go to church on Sunday knowing in their hearts the answer. They are right about one thing, there is always a way to circumvent law or insure a charge like that can never be challenged. Sure, I’ll agree there are exceptions, but if you working for one of these companies that do have ideals I will say they are rare indeed.
The other day I read an article where companies are hurting for good managers. People, who can, plan, organize, be team players, groom. They state they are just not out there and companies are feeling the bite. But where do they look - you got it - college campuses. That says it all. Today many of these “educated" graduates can’t organize, plan or for that matter many cannot even write. My opinion that age is a factor is based on compensation, medical concerns and business associated costs, and quite frankly perception of capability. Everyone wants your knowledge and skill for $6.50 an hour. However, business will pay a consultant $150.00 or more per hour because it’s a cost item on the books and they can write off the expense. However, they don’t want to pay an employee a living wage because they have to add on all the other costs associated with that employee. Try living on unemployment and when you make $10.00 extra and they want it back and then you have to claim it as income at year-end to increase your bottom line due to Uncle Sam. I thought it was insurance? Try living on $7.00, 8.00 or $9.00 an hour before taxes and not even get a full 40 hours workweek. Ask any accountant and bean counter and see if they can. I can’t speak for anyone else but I know I have been in a few meetings in my lifetime where the “we need someone younger" came up. Look around the office at the people you work with. Is everything running smooth? Then you know what I’m talking about. Getting employed isn’t about what you know; because that is evident in the state of affairs our government is in, as is many businesses. They would rather do it over, spend there way out of a mess, or initiate “reorganizations" which require layoffs of the lowest paid to keep the golden parachutes working until they can jump ship. There is always enough money to do it over and you always hear - “It is for the good of the company" yes- their good. It goes back to the Old Chicago days where it was who you know not what you know, or perhaps you just got there at the right time and in the right place. Some will respond by telling me there are employers who brag about hiring the older worker - give us a break. Part time, little to no benefits, cheap pay and some are now saying they don’t want them anymore. Also, never get hurt for one of these, you‘ll find out their true practices. The other aspect is the “retired" who steal jobs away from those in need. I am not talking about retired people living on meager pensions of $1000.00 per month or less, but those with multiple pensions, big cars and houses and who wait nervously for their dividend checks. Most of these people take the job because they are “bored“ and have little to do. They go hand in hand with the volunteers who take jobs from people. Sure- volunteer when the need is great- emergency situations like Katrina, church, etc, not to take a place from someone who could use a minimum wage job. Those who use them aren't interested in you. They give you a lunch and a thank you once a year and you feel good. They feel even better because they didn't have to hire someone. All these people achieve is keeping pay scales low while taking jobs from those who really need them - young families and retires who scrimp by each month. You know something they’re the first to take offense at this statement. You know what I say, look in the mirror at your local church and tell me I’m lying or wrong and if your one who really needs the money then this statement doesn’t apply to you. Now we get to those fifty or older who need work. They are told- “we’ll get back to you", “you need to update your skills“, “why don’t you take a loan or second mortgage and go back to school", all by the very same people who graduated ten, fifteen or twenty years ago or more, or by some who have about 3 years experience and a piece of paper on the wall. How about their skills? I suspect they should go back to school because they don’t see the truth in the mirror. Oh, by the way the government can now go in and get your social security payments [see Dec 08 2005 papers] if you don't pay your student loans. That's another aspect that they considered for people who are out of work to start with and are trying to upgrade their skills in the hope of finding work. In my opinion these people are truly Gods representatives on earth! Our young work for less and have fewer benefits because of their medical footprint and they need a start. They will get the position under the guise of long-term employment and growth potential for one third what they have to pay an experienced person. Business justifies it under the guise of competition. Not so, then you’re an owner or part of the system and problem and won’t admit it.
Finally we get to the old - hard work and loyalty pays off. Give me a break; loyalty is non-existent, as is ethics. They day of retirement from a company went out with my father’s generation. The people who taught me were true mentors and are a lost generation of leaders. Just look to our schools to prove that point. They can’t get parents to participate and discipline has been replaced by the opportunity to get sued. Where did they get educated? The majority of these parents are working 60-70-80 hours a week and multiple jobs. There is no one home to mind the store much less attend a meeting. As for values, they are a thing of the past. Let's take a look at how many people in America have health care, and of those who do have it what does it cover, and for how much? Many companies are putting more and more on the shoulders of the workers and of the elderly to pay for these reduced benefits.
You can provide all the arguments you want, get mad, gripe, complain and raise any number of reasons to dispute what I wrote. Sadly, but simple, the truth is the truth. As for those of you who have secure jobs now, you will be expendable, as you grow older unless you are part of the key job segment - Medical, Funeral, and Legal and of course those people who sell and service. Of course there will most likely be less young people in good jobs to support us but by that time. I won’t have the worry, the rich won‘t, and you will have to wait and see if they still need you.
In this country our industry is almost gone. Layoffs continue and plants go over seas. You might be true in stating we do have some assembly, but not real manufacturing. We are basically a paper pushing service-oriented society. Go take one of those Call Center Jobs that promise big bucks but layoff every 89 days to beat unemployment compensation. Look at their turnover stats. You may have to go to India to get most of these long-term positions. However, these companies are always hiring. You can bet there are lots of these jobs in the paper. Ever sit at a phone in one of these places and talk to the supervisor. I should say taskmaster and be told you have so many minutes and numbers of calls per day? However, it’s good for statistics. Take a look at those companies "opening new jobs in India". Tell me in a few years those jobs won't replace American workers.
They now tell us that 20% of the people own 60% of the wealth? Take a look at this stat as time goes by and you will see that number change to 10% / 60%. Bottom line as they like to say, there is a hell of a lot of people who are struggling every day to survive. As for that elite group, few really care what the rest of us do. Sadly, another fact, these have made their fortune and live behind secured walls, eat out, have their children in high priced schools and in general are the aristocrats of old. Their motto “let them eat cake" or “it works for me". That sounds like something I heard a long time ago somewhere in a history class? I just don’t recall because History is so inaccurate these days and isn't taught in school much. These people spend the most of their days living their Heaven on earth that they created. Don’t get me wrong, some have to be admired for their hard work and effort and there is certainly nothing wrong with education, and which makes for opportunities. But tell that to people who are working two and three minimum wage jobs to support their families. People retort by saying they always say they found time to do it, but few to none had the same mountains to climb. However, lets not forget, as mentioned, a degree does not qualify you as being intelligent or capable of leading. It does state you finished the course and passed your tests. To place any more emphasis on that is kidding no on but you. It’s the same as certification - good today- out of date tomorrow. There are enough of these graduates out there in leadership roles because of that degree or certification that can’t get the job done and the bosses don’t even know it because they come from the same thinking pattern. That alone is bad enough, however, it is really about those who have made it who exploit others in any number of ways. Those who would lay off a family man to save an executives job or money to look good for the next raise or promotion, that new SUV, vacation or stock option while squandering thousand or even millions every day at work and made the situation what it is. Also, it’s has nothing to do with faith, religion or God, yet many of these same people are the first to praise the Lord and sit in high places at church and profess their beliefs. These are the same always-rubbing shoulders with religious leaders. The religious leaders love them because they are the big givers and without them where would that new church be? However, when it comes to business they seem to have forgotten compassion and mercy and have replaced that with profits and a Rolex. These are the people who are quick to export our jobs for the cheapest help and than exploit them. These are the same one’s who profess love of country but in their heart of hearts are focused on wealth, the exchange rate and returns.
Finally, we hear every day things are better. Just, look at the housing market and the stock exchange. Who needs to look? You bet, that 20% who have something to look after. Are things really better for the average person or family? Are they? Do you really have money to save for "retirement"? Most of us laugh when we hear this. The government gives us a so called tax break in one hand an then approves an increase in the other, insurance premiums skyrocketing, fuel costs through the roof, people with multiple mortgages, living on credit, rising and high interest rates on credit cards, ARM interest rates rising, double payments required soon on credit, phone costs rising, and corruption at an all time high. Lies, deceit and cover-ups the game and they got the nerve to tell you we are close to full employment and the country is doing well. Tell that to those in the Fed who have a close eye on China and our trade deficit. They know, what that means to their pot of gold. Tell that to someone who has to charge his or her gas just to get to work. Tell that to people hounded by collection agencies. Tell me about Florida - the right to work state- and I say ask any working person in Florida and they will sum it up in one word as to what it‘s like to work in this state- screwed! Aside from the Sunshine it’s for those who have it all!
So until they can get everyone back to decent fair paying secure jobs they will still have a need for Unions to protect workers rights, until they reintroduce manufacturing and get back to where people can retire from one company and companies consider accomplishment, along with education and not just a piece of paper, you can expect more of the same. The employment game will continue to be played.
Most of us don't like to hear negatives. Quite frankly, we shy away from people who profess them because they are too depressing. Well, I don't either. However, once you can confront the truth you are in a position to make change. However, if you wait, regretfully like those in New Orleans who were sitting on a time bomb and chose to ignore it, you’ll say exactly the same what are we going to do now, and where is the help? Take my advice; don't look beyond a few good people, because there isn't any.
PS: Update 2/2006: I just read where the Senior Executive lied about his background and they dismissed him with a 1.8 million Golden Parachute. That says it all! Update September 2006 - I just confirmed that the department of Labor has no jurisdiction over certain companies, small business, etc that are under certain guidelines of earning $500,000 or less a year. What that means is they don't have to pay you for work completed even if they lay you off or fire you! Your alternative is small claims court. Now do you really believe these types who don't pay will not have an excuse readily available. I hope it works when they meet their maker.
Copyright ©2005 Robert Melaccio |
