By now you know that everyone following the financial sector's meltdown is enraged that executives of AIG's main U.S. life insurance subsidiary spent $440,000 on a corporate retreat, complete with spa treatments, banquets and golf outings. White House press secretary Dana Perino called the event "despicable."
Dana - how do your REALLY feel? I guess the gloves are pretty much off based on the economy...
Quick to rationalize and spin, AIG issued a statement Wednesday saying that the "business event" was planned months before the Sept. 16 bailout and that it was held for top-producing independent life insurance agents, not AIG employees. Of the 100 attendees, only 10 worked for the AIG unit hosting the event, it said.
Hey, AIG spin-miesters, isn't that still a marketing expense that hits your bottom line? A yes/no answer will be fine; spare me the additonal rationalizations.
So, the Capitalist likes capitalism but dislikes bad PR in the wake of a bailout. Big deal. But the AIG drama got me thinking - what are the perks and signals in your workplace that tell your rank and file employees that everyone's not created equal? I started my own list below; hit me in the comments with your additions:
-Reserved Parking Spaces
-Company Cars
-Executive Elevator
-Separate Medical Benefits for Executives
-Security for executive level offices, but none for the rest of the company
-Different email storage capacities based on your position
-Top managers always get the new stuff, never allow their direct report to skip them in technology
-Different business cards for senior executives
Like Bush and Good Charlotte said, it's the little things...
What am I missiing? I know there are more, and you're just the person to enlighten me. Hit me in the comments with your AIG-like examples of bloated corporate excess you'd love to blow up as a HR pro responsible for the flock....
