4 ms·
There is so much demand for non-mindless consumption these days, and in some areas certainly also the money for it, that I wonder why American companies don't s
by zwaps 8y ago
There is so much demand for non-mindless consumption these days, and in some areas certainly also the money for it, that I wonder why American companies don't start to signal.
Like, put a huge sign in front of the door:
"America needs higher wages, but someone needs to start! Our prices include fair wages to our workers, 25% above industry average".
Or something more clever.
Building this into the company ethos has the advantage, in the current economy, to not only take higher prices for hopefully little drop in demand, but also to attract better workers.
Since there are almost no labor related laws in the US, the only way to afford above average wages is to generate demand by differentiation.
And that might be done, after all, Americans are willing to tip ridiculous amounts (like 25%) just so that waiters or delivery drivers get to make a living.
Has this ever been attempted? I have no prior on whether it actually works, people might care too much about the price...
- scarejunba 8y agoIf you take the mean tip and raise your prices by that much and move it to workers, they will make less. Cash tips are usually tax frauded away.
- mdorazio 8y agoI haven't seen this ethos specifically with respect to workers, but have definitely seen it with respect to ethically sourced materials, sustainable environmental practices, etc. It seems to work well in wealthy areas where people can afford to care about these things. It does not work at all in lower income areas, which is most of the US. Price tends to trump pretty much everything else for the vast majority of consumers.
- lazerpants 8y agoThe gas station chain, Buccee's, in Texas posts the average starting wage of their employees in their stores, and the amount that it is above the average in the area. Or at least the did several years ago.