3 ms·

So there's a high initial cost involved, but then the company can wage suppress the employee over the next 5-6 years, and in the end turn a profit? Wow.

crdoconnor 12y ago
Individual wages are always lower, but the following can and often do end up ballooning the overall cost of the venture: * Lower quality net result (& higher support costs). * Additional headcount * Higher coordination costs (e.g. paying these bloodsuckers) The point is that it goes ahead even when it makes no financial sense even 5-6 years out because management prefers a pliant, docile, easily controlled workforce.
- induscreep 12y ago
  > management prefers a pliant, docile, easily controlled workforce I am trying to understand why, and what the incentive is. If the overall cost balloons up, what is it about a docile workforce that is so lucrative to these companies? Ability to pay lower wages? Not having to search for replacement employees every now and then?
  - fpgeek 12y ago
    Who said a docile workforce is lucrative for the companies? There are many reasons they may not be. However, in most cases, "the company" doesn't make these decisions - managers do. And plenty of managers prefer a docile workforce whether or not it's good for the bottom line.
  - crdoconnor 12y ago
    >what is it about a docile workforce that is so lucrative to these companies It is not just about the money. It is about the power, too. It is peculiar naivete unique to our dominant school of economics to think that the bottom line is at the heart of every decision made by C level executives.
  - eli_gottlieb 12y ago
    It's not necessarily lucrative at all. Many managers confuse personal power with collective profit, and are crafting their departments to be lord over a fiefdom rather than to contribute maximally to the business. People are not rational market actors, especially not deep within organizations.
  - lotsofmangos 12y ago
    The incentive is very simple. - http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/ldc/llog/DilbertEvilHR.gif http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/ldc/llog/DilbertEvilHR....

crdoconnor 12y ago

Individual wages are always lower, but the following can and often do end up ballooning the overall cost of the venture: * Lower quality net result (& higher support costs). * Additional headcount * Higher coordination costs (e.g. paying these bloodsuckers) The point is that it goes ahead even when it makes no financial sense even 5-6 years out because management prefers a pliant, docile, easily controlled workforce.

induscreep 12y ago
> management prefers a pliant, docile, easily controlled workforce I am trying to understand why, and what the incentive is. If the overall cost balloons up, what is it about a docile workforce that is so lucrative to these companies? Ability to pay lower wages? Not having to search for replacement employees every now and then?
- fpgeek 12y ago
  Who said a docile workforce is lucrative for the companies? There are many reasons they may not be. However, in most cases, "the company" doesn't make these decisions - managers do. And plenty of managers prefer a docile workforce whether or not it's good for the bottom line.
- crdoconnor 12y ago
  >what is it about a docile workforce that is so lucrative to these companies It is not just about the money. It is about the power, too. It is peculiar naivete unique to our dominant school of economics to think that the bottom line is at the heart of every decision made by C level executives.
- eli_gottlieb 12y ago
  It's not necessarily lucrative at all. Many managers confuse personal power with collective profit, and are crafting their departments to be lord over a fiefdom rather than to contribute maximally to the business. People are not rational market actors, especially not deep within organizations.
- lotsofmangos 12y ago
  The incentive is very simple. - http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/ldc/llog/DilbertEvilHR.gif http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/ldc/llog/DilbertEvilHR....