Does it appear that some organizations just like to criticize?
Did you know that sometimes when you criticize it does not make sense?
Yes, there is one organization in Canada that I want to address, it is The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. It claims that it is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. I obviously wonder about how non-partisan it is. Just the other day it released its annual C-suite Hall of Shame about Canada’s top executives with the biggest pay cheques. In the latest one they stated that just a little over 2 hours into the first work day of the year the average top earner took home the equivalent of the average annual Canadian earner’s annual pay.
What annoys me is that they are comparing apples to oranges.
As you would know most Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) in multi-million-dollar businesses did not get hired because of their good looks. They were hired on their ability to lead a business that is growing and improving financially. For the most part, these leaders are highly educated and understand what needs to be done to accomplish what their Board of Directors want to have happen.
As you would know the ordinary worker is paid for his or her time, and have little or no pressure compared to that of a CEO. The extraordinary worker is paid for what they bring to their place of work. Whether it is their innovative skills, their ability to get their staff to work as a team or their ability to create sales for the organization.
So what purpose is it to compare an ordinary worker to a CEO?
I’ve often wondered why they don’t compare the ordinary wage earner’s income to that of an NBA player. While it is another apple to orange comparison, you never hear of an ordinary worker/sports fan complain about what the players are bring paid. Yes, they may criticize their performance, but they never compare their salaries, do they?
My concluding thoughts are in the form of a few questions;
- Instead of comparing income, wouldn’t it make sense to increase your ability and performance and ask for and prove that you are worthy of more money?
- Would you consider this year, the year you decided to be extraordinary, and even if you are not recognized for it – you know it deep in your soul, so you can be very happy with your results?
- Did you ever hear that when someone is properly centered in life, they never have to look outside themselves for approval?
- When can you start taking action?
Tim, I agree that comparing a CEO’s salary with that of a lower-level worker is irrelevant and I am as irritated as you are that the exorbitant earnings of professional sports players – and for that matter. entertainment celebrities are rarely questioned.
Businesses must pay what the market demands and will offer a reward high enough to attract the talent they need. Whilst remuneration levels in the public sector should be a matter of taxpayers’ concern, those in the private sector are a matter for shareholders. Consumers can express their disapproval of perceived excessive earnings by shopping elsewhere. Users of public services generally do not have a choice.
As you know, I am an unashamed conservative and capitalist. However, I do have two problems with the current free-market system.
When companies pay bonuses to executives in years that the business operates at a loss. All bonuses, stock options and extra perks should be tightly tied to performance.
When a handful of the super-rich increase their already huge fortunes by billions during periods when the average person is struggling to survive – as is happening in early 2021 as a result of the overreaction to the virus.
I am certainly not advocating government intervention but these two factors are the seeds of revolution and create fertile ground for a rise in socialism as in France and Russia in previous centuries and as we are seeing in the USA right now.
Pewter, first of all I do appreciate you giving your opinions on the current state of affairs. The purpose of my blog was just to expose some of the ‘foolishness’ of comparing a CEO’s salary with an ordinary worker. Yes, society is truly a work in progress, and if we don’t speak out or write about our concerns – no one will know we see problems. Again my thanks.