Thursday, January 29, 2009

I've been thinkin'


SCAN0353
Originally uploaded by daveterry.
The solution to this economic mess ain't layin' people off. That just doesn't make any sense to me.

I mean, if all the big companies lay folks off, who will buy stuff? How will the economy improve if folks are living in the soup kitchens?

Instead, I say, approach all the employees and explain the situation. Tell them that instead of layoffs the company has decided to reduce their wages AND give them more time off.

That would be way cool. It's a win-win.

The company saves money and the employees get more time with the fam.

Sure, the employee has to cut back a bit, but they wont be living in the street. They can get a 2nd job, start a new business, or spend more time with the family, whatever.

Why doesn't any of these big companies think of this? It makes perfect sense to me. Aren't the guys running these companies the ones that get the big bucks to sit around in meetings and discuss this stuff?

When I'm CEO, things'll be different. And I wont be intimated by the quarterly reports or by what The Street says my company ought to do. Besides, aren't those the people that got us into this mess to begin with?

The next time it looks like a big layoff at work I'm going to suggest we do this.

It can't do any harm for me to make this small suggestion can it? The worst that could happen is...he'd give me a pink slip.

Maybe I will just be content and sit around in meetings like the rest of the people here.

...dave
It may be that your whole purpose in life, is simply to serve as a warning to others.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you've been thinkin', Dave, because you sure haven't been posting! ;-)

At my workplace we're doing just what you suggested, working four nine-hour days with every Friday off, for a 10% reduction. Bummer on the pay cut but your're right, a three-day weekend every weekend kind of takes some of the sting out of it.

Enough of my adulation -- get back to sketching!

daveterry said...

Hey, that's great! I bet many people would prefer that deal than the 7% (or whatever it is now) unemployment.

And, well, I do have a few sketches I have yet to post but all in time...all in time.

...dave
A true friend is someone that, when you are blue, will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

Anita Davies said...

'Aren't the guys running these companies the ones that get the big bucks to sit around in meetings and discuss this stuff?'

I think you nailed the problem right there - BIG BUCKS! While they are raking it in, they really have no consideration for the other employees or the economy...not until it hits them personally. I believe it is called greed...a disturbing human trait I'm afraid.
One day we will all work together....Hope costs nothing right? LOL!

caseytoussaint said...

It sounds like a great idea to me, but here in France that would put people into the streets!

Samuel Lavoie said...

Very glad you have been thinking... I did way better deal with a wages cut and have more time to create my own business than beign laid off. Or maybe big companies don't want us to start other business don' they? ... hmm

great blog, discovering it made my day, thanks