Corporate America and its accountants view salaries payable to its employees/workers as a liability. Workers are a liability- NOT an asset. (The bourgeoisie, aka those who own all means of production and most of societies wealth, loves to say we are; but thats not what the executive staff & shareholders think). Workers comp is a liability. ANYTHING that has to do with revenue leaving the companies hands and into yours, is an expense, and ultimately hurts net income for the company.
HR and middle management exists to manage and reduce the liabilities. Everything ranging from health & wellness to diversity & inclusion, are all methods to reduce a potential lawsuit against the company and a leak of cash.
You are a liability and you are expendable. You either produce more than you are worth or you will get replaced.
In the meantime, executive staff and leaders of company operations will lookout for new methods & technology that can automate and ultimately reduce overhead costs by either freeing up your hands to do more to produce MORE or to remove you completely.
Accountants, physics envy economists, and lalaland mba’s- if i missed anything please add on :-).