ALT-4 What’s Wrong with our Companies Today
This rather dramatic story is but one example of what is wrong in many of our companies today. Companies have many parts that don't fit, that is one big problem.
Do you ever wonder if it is a reflection of the immediate supervisor or the top executives when you recognize that nearly every person you meet is unhappy in your place of employment?
I have found that a significant number of employees are unhappy as companies have changed leadership. Often staff and workers are asked to downsize meaning do more for the same pay with no overtime. They not allowed to make investments in equipment or upgrade equipment to keep the company competitive. Workers are expected to do what has been done in the past; except now on a shoestring budget with old equipment and fewer skilled workers.
In a particular corporation offices are cramped and run down, full of clutter. The computers are old and not reliable. In many areas carpets and floors look dusty and dirty, cob webs cling to the ceilings and in corners of closets and rooms. The break rooms are also very unappealing. The restrooms are dated and hard to keep up; the phone system is old and works but not efficiently. Smiles are few and far between; you don't get the idea that any one likes anyone else.
In the manufacturing end the lower paid employees are often unskilled, not well informed even about their tasks, some are drug users. Many are irresponsible and it seems a number of the younger employees don't have any idea that this company is still trying to do business. One almost feels they show up and expect a check for just that fact, they show up.
There are the people in a salaried position that feel they must lord the titles over everyone. Power struggles and personal agendas are common. The President has a son working in one department, his wife in another, there is another family member in yet another position of some importance. A Vice President has two sons working in another department, a long time employee has a shiftless niece working in yet another department. With all the family and friends hired there is waste, loss of productivity, employees have low morale and they are unhappy. Workers can't say much because this company has let people go for pointing out that a few worthless folks aren't doing their jobs.
You might think a company that deals with a high tech manufacturing process and has products shipped around the world would have more sense than to allow this kind of petty abuse. This is a real company and in a real world it is hard to imagine people have worked here for over 40 years only to see it become run as a family affair instead of a business.
One problem after another is directly or indirectly related to this nepotism and poor management. The place reeks of despair. The few who want to do a good job have been held hostage by the ones that don't want to work. The family ties have shown that it is fine for them to be absent, to play on the computer instead of work or perhaps they just have to put in an appearance to get a check. And no one has the nerve to say this isn't right!
I have seen all kinds of corporate screw ups but this one takes the prize. How low can corporate America go, this is about it. The loss in productivity is bad enough but you add in the theft of fuel and equipment, tools, office supplies plus the pay for playtime and it is costing the company owners well over $30,000 a year. Perhaps that is conservative knowing there are at least 75 people at this particular location.
If a person comes to work they should work. If a job requires a trained employee that understands how to follow instructions and why a paper trail is needed then that is the kind of employee that should be hired and paid well. This practice of hiring the person willing to work the cheapest is not working.
Think of the money wasted in the turnover and new hire paper work, tests, interview times, advertising alone. I am amazed people who think they are so smart they can run a corporation can't even see how stupid they look to everyone else as they continue to make a fool of not only themselves but the corporation they represent as well.
You know the truth is you get what you pay for in most cases except in this case the favorites that don't work hard manage to get the best wages. Then they hire the unskilled help for as little as possible and the few hard workers left must manage somehow to keep it all afloat but for how long?
This is a story about a real company. None of this is imagined or made up. Is there a problem, I would have to say yes. Lack of integrity and ethics coupled with nepotism.
Teaching values and training employees plus paying them above average wages for a job well done is one way to invest in happiness and success. Instead of wasting money because of high turn over why not make a better match for each position and reward productive employees. Offer flex time and have employees informed on how to best utilize their time.
Build a family of loyal employees not a business full of family. Reward honesty and accountability. It may take a while but finding the right match of workers and staff is as important as having the right tools to make the right products. When the pieces fit it works better in all areas of business.
