Happy Labor Day!

Ah, Labor Day! Enjoy the off day. It’s one of the few perks us beleaguered workers get.

I’m somewhat surprised we still go through this annual farce. Considering what low regard companies have for their workers, this holiday is probably the most phony one on the calendar. At least at Christmas we make an attempt to promote goodwill toward mankind. Perhaps we should rename it “Record Corporate Profits Day” or “Outsource to India Day," or more accurately “Layoff Day.” Because despite some rosy pronouncements on the economy, layoffs are still occurring across the U.S.

It’s also ridiculous in light of how corporate American has decimated labor unions. Funny, too, how many politicians, mostly Republicans, but Democrats as well, try to tap into middle/working class “anger,” when, in reality, they are the ones who cater to corporations that are systematically cutting workers out of the middle class in order to horde more profits. These politicians, who are elected by us, to serve us, won't even vote for a minimum wage law. Minimum Wage!! But that is for another blog.

This blog is about what it is like to work in the Era of Mass Layoffs, at a time when companies would really rather not employ workers, how every decision is made for the betterment of the corporation, not society or individuals.

How often are laid-off workers told it was just a “business decision”? I thought about that the other day (yes, I think too much), and it suddenly occurred to me that the reason they said it was a “business” decision is because they then don’t have to face up to the fact they are making a very “human” decision; how they are destroying lives and families, how they, in truth, are keeping the economy in low gear by letting go of people who are no longer spending consumers. In essence, they could be harming their own business. But they don’t care, as long as profits are kept high. It’s only a “business” decision, right?

How this for a radical idea? How about we make "human" decisions, decisions not made on selfish self-interest, but on what is good for the people around us and the community. Highly unlikely that will ever happen in corporate America.

I understand, I truly do, that companies sometimes change direction and staffing needs are altered. Companies do have to cut expenses in recessions. My objection is not with the rationale; it's that they don't take it one step further. They fervently believe that simply cutting staff will make a company profitable without any corresponding strategy to boost revenues.

Will their profits be high for much longer after they let go of hundreds and thousands of workers? Maybe, or maybe not. My former company just went through another round of layoffs. This after I was told I was laid off to “save the company." How many more have to be sacrificed to save a company that is obviously foundering? It’s as if the company is more important than people, its workers. Seems to me they only bought a bit more time before the inevitable occurs.

Happy Labor Day indeed!