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Should the government cap executive pay?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Wall Street bailout plan contains provisions that are intended to reign in the hefty executive salaries of companies who participate in the government’s bailout plan. While the wording is vague enough to allow for savvy corporate minds to exploit (look what the AIG executives did after accepting the bailout), the idea is to stop rewarding executives of failing businesses, something that seems to be quite popular with the general public who are struggling to pay their mortgages and buy gas.
Critics question the idea of the federal government imposing salary limits on employees from the private sector. As Steve Schippert states, “Laws on minimum wage are one thing, but putting a government imposed ceiling on earnings in a capitalist free-market economy smacks of class warfare and incremental socialism.” Derek Loosvelt, Vault.com’s global finance editor feared that there could be a domino effect, impacting salaries at companies that are not even participating in the bailout plan, and decreasing the earnings of those further down the corporate ladder.
What are your feelings about the federal government’s plan to limit the executive salaries of companies that accept the bailout deal? Is the federal government overstepping its boundaries, or do you support limiting the salaries for these executives who have allowed their companies to fail?
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Do you debate politics at work?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a recent ajcjobs cover story, two Atlanta lawyers who vocally debate politics at the office are profiled. As the election season heats up, so do people’s passions about the candidates or the party they support. For some, political convictions are as sacred as religion. As this historic presidential race inches closer to Election Day, it is almost inevitable that water cooler talk will turn to politics. Problems arise when these types of discussions turn into heated arguments that can erode relations between co-workers and decrease job productivity.
Do you discuss political issues while on the job? How should management handle those employees with deeply held political beliefs that wish to express their opinions in the workplace?
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Are you a daylighter?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you work a second job on company time? Then you are a member of a growing segment of the workforce called daylighters. Some people squeeze in work on side gigs during their full-time job to have extra spending money. For others, the faltering economy has made juggling multiple jobs necessary.
I was a daylighter once, where I worked at a tedious cubicle job that nevertheless paid most of the bills. I took on a side gig that didn’t pay enough to do by itself, but allowed me to begin a career path more suited to my skills and desires. I mainly worked on it at home, during the evening and on weekends. But on slow days at my regular job, I would check emails and do other online work related to my side gig. The funny thing was, despite not exactly giving 110% on the regular job, I was consistently near the top of my department for quality and quantity of production. I did this for years, and never got caught. Eventually, because of my dedication to my side gig, I was able to find a full-time job in that industry, and gladly gave up being a daylighter.
What do you think of people that try to work on outside gigs while being on the clock for their main job? Would you report daylighters at your company to the boss?
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Has your 401(k) taken a hit?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the ongoing meltdown on Wall Street, and the impending federal bailout plan, many employees are seeing their 401(k) earnings decrease in value. On top of high unemployment rates, the housing market collapse, the bank mergers and the gas shortage here in metro Atlanta, it’s just one more thing for local workers to be worried about.
Experts are offering tips on how to manage your 401(k) during a bad economy, but it’s still hard to watch your retirement nest egg dwindle as the stock market takes a nosedive. Find more advice on protecting your finances on ajc.com’s new resource called Your Money.
Has the faltering economy hurt your 401(k)? Will you keep contributing to your employer-sponsored retirement plan during these troubled economic times, or are you waiting until the stock market settles down?
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Atlanta gas shortage impacting your work commute?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The AJC ran a story on Sunday about how many Atlantans are seeking job commuting alternatives in response to the current gas shortage impacting the metro Atlanta area. Because employers realize that some of their staff members may not be able to get gas in order to drive to the office, they are becoming more receptive to telecommuting and four-day work weeks.
Of course, not all jobs can be done at home, so those employers are encouraging the use of carpools and mass transit. The Clean Air Campaign has had to add extra workers just to respond to all of the alternative commute requests pouring in from frustrated residents. A recent ajcjobs cover story highlights Atlanta companies that have successfully implemented mass transit and carpool programs.
Have you changed the way you commute to work because of the current gas shortage in Atlanta? How understanding has your boss been about the situation?
Check out more money saving tips at Your Money
Latest comments
Noelle, good suggestion..I totally agree. TheBlogger, good info and very true.... read the full comment by mechi | Comment on Should the government cap executive pay? Read Should the government cap executive pay?
Corporate executive officers are paid what they’re worth to the company and its shareholders. If the shareholders didn’t approve of the leadership, then they would sell their holdings. If one company wants a particular person to come lead... read the full comment by CBL | Comment on Should the government cap executive pay? Read Should the government cap executive pay?
Hey, you nutjobs… If you are so paranoid that capitalism is so fragile it can’t handle any kind of adjustments for modern times, you’re telling the world capitalism doesn’t work. As far as “rules” being... read the full comment by krisg | Comment on Should the government cap executive pay? Read Should the government cap executive pay?
This is crazy, but it wouldn’t be discussed if America’s CEOs had any self respect or integrity. Home Depot and Delta have both given big bonuses recently to 2 bozos who should have been thrown on the streets. The AIG guys should be in jail.... read the full comment by Michael | Comment on Should the government cap executive pay? Read Should the government cap executive pay?