I work in an industry that requires a knowledge in statistical analysis…
We have a new casual at work who has been with us for a week. My boss had a meeting with him yesterday to ‘have a chat’. The casual is 21yrs old.
My office is next to my bosses and the doors were open so I could hear the entire meeting. I was rooting for this kid because he’s motivated and nice.
In this meeting I overheard my boss explain that the average household income in SA is $180,000+….The average household income (according to the Australian bureau of statistics) is $49,888.
I’m so confused why he would claim that. His entire career is based on statistics and statistical analysis. The ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) is like the Bible in my industry.
My boss has appeared to be an ally in my life – we’ve had long conversations about generational poverty, the struggles indigenous Australians suffer at the hands of corporate Australia, the woes of capitalism… he’s a very educated man who had has an interest in helping the less fortunate…
But he seems to believe that the average income is $180,000k +. It’s thrown me. How could he possibly believe that??? Does he think that everyone around him earns the same as him? What does he think of me? (and everyone else working under him?)
I’m in a situation where I looked up to someone both professionally and socially and now finding out that he doesn’t see himself as being ‘lucky’ or ‘privileged’ but actually ‘NORMAL’.
I don’t know why I’m posting this… I guess it’s just to remind everyone that even the coolest, understanding, down to earth bosses are completely unable to relate to the working class.