My company is doing a foodbank drive for Christmas. Someone mentioned to me that there was a sign in our lunch room above some bins that read “Leave what you can” & “Take what you need.”
That sign acknowledges that the company I work for is aware that some people I work with can't pay their bills, feed their families, etc. but instead of paying more they expect employees to take from the food donations what other employees donate.
The owner has a RED EYE Hellcat. Not only is that the top of the line spec but they get 60 miles TO THE TANK! if you drive conservatively. Plus 93 octane engine means more expensive fuel costs… Currently the cost of just 87 octane around here is $5.85/gallon.
I've also talked with almost everyone I work with and figured out how much most people make. Some people have started at $28/hour [since have had raised into the $32-$38 range] and some of my supervisors make less than that. Some people still make minimum wage and have two jobs while being called “lazy sack of shit” by supervisors and their brown nosing underlings.
I've been told to use 2x4s instead of 2x6s because “we need to save the company money”. We switched from using plywood to OSB because “we need to save the company money”. We're not allowed to work overtime because “we need to save the company money”. We have expired safety equipment [hard hats, fall protection, etc.] because “we need to save the company money”. We have ladders falling apart and held together with [expensive AF] red sheathing tape because “we need to save the company money”.
I know a guy went to ask for a raise and the conversation went:
Guy: “Hey, I'm getting married and planning to have children soon. I can't afford that with the money I make now. Is there anything I can do to get a raise?”
OWNER: “Oh, so, when are you leaving?”
He[Owner] then proceeded to have our supervisors/Lead hands tell everyone that “Guy” was leaving the company, made up rumors about him and proceeded to bully him into just leaving.
Our company has government contracts to build schools, offices, etc. The government always shills out top dollar for everything but we're always told “we need to save the company money so that money can spread around to our paychecks[raises].”
The owner has shown up with his F-350 [four rear wheels, not the basic bitch package of just four total wheels] hauling a trailer with a brand new off road vehicle (I don't know what they're called but they are some pricey mofos), as well as had guys work overtime on the weekends to build: floating docks for his lake house, modding out several different sea cans for his properties and more. We also built him a cabin, a fucking cabin, then had some of our guys work overtime to do interior finishing and exterior siding on it during their weekends off.
WE HAVE TO SAVE THE COMPANY MONEY??? WE CAN'T AFFORD NEW LADDERS, HARD HATS OR FALL PROTECTION HARNESSES???