Memo From Management to Labor: You Are Tools, Assets, and Resources - Deal With It

Written by on May 13 2011

Memo from management to labor: You are tools, assets, and resources, so deal with it.The relationship between management and labor has always been a strained relationship. In its worst form, this relationship exists as slavery. This happens when men (management) value money more than human life. It’s been said, “The love of money is the root of all evil”. In many cases, management tends to think of labor as replaceable tools, resources, or assets to be used to make money. Workers want to be thought of and treated as human beings not tools, resources or assets. Unfortunately for labor, the “Golden Rule” in the business world is, “The one that has the gold makes the rules.” Can you say disgruntled worker?

The Missions

The bottom line is the bottom line in the business world. Earning a living and providing for their families are the goals of laborers. Management strives to lower operating cost while maximizing profit. This includes lowering the cost of labor even if it means laying people off. For labor, this could mean the difference between having medical insurance or not. Not having medical insurance or insurance with high cost and minimal benefits creates a strain on workers trying to provide for their families. Workers want to earn as much as they can and get the best benefits package they can get. Insurance and salaries are just two examples of many issues that drive management and labor apart. This setup is a tug-of-war that can mean the difference between success and failure for business. Not to mention providing a good product or service.

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The Strong Survive

Management, for better or for worse, try’s to implement policies and procedures to insure not only that the business is profitable but that it continues to exist. Their attitude is that anything and anyone can be sacrificed to serve and preserve the company. Hours, benefits, and jobs get cut in order to preserve and protect the company. Only the strong survive. But management still expects labor to act professionally and to give one hundred per cent to the company. After all, no company, no money.

Attitude Adjustments

The attitudes and actions described above have caused the labor class to be dissatisfied with their working conditions for years. But business can continue this way because there will always be people willing to work under these conditions in order to earn a living and provide for their families. But for those workers that are odds with management it may be in their best interest to understand the mission and work with management to affect change. If that doesn’t work or if it’s not possible, it may be time to go to a company that gets it.

Some Companies Get It

This view of management is not intended to be a broad-brush swipe at all management. That would be ridiculous because there are some companies that get it. For example, Southwest Airlines Seems to have a management model that inspires worker loyalty and appreciation. These companies go out of the way to show that they value their workers. These companies have programs and special events that they’ve integrated into their company culture that show’s their appreciation to workers on a regular basis. These programs and special events are substantive and add quality to the workers lives. These companies would not send out a memo from management to labor: You are tools, assets, and resources, so deal with it.

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11 Comments

Written by PatriceWalker, 338 days ago.
Interesting that you include Walmart in the group of companies that treat their employees well. My understanding was that they didn't, but perhaps they've gotten so much bad press lately that they've started to change. When companies begin adopting the "double bottom line," service as well as profit, perhaps they'll begin valuing their employees more.
Written by Sgolis, 338 days ago.
Interesting article but do not recall Walmart as being a company that is good to their employees. I remember reading about law suits at Walmart they do not treat the women equally as far as pay and promotions. Maybe now they are treating employees better, perhaps they learned the hard way to value their employees.
Written by Angelgirlpj, 338 days ago.
Good management employee relations is needed for a good workplace.Thanks for the article.
Written by NorDac, 338 days ago.
During the few times I've been employed (instead of self employed), I tried to make sure I was the most cost effective tool that my employer had. Usually (but not always), it's the employees that are thinking of what they get out of the job instead of what will help the employer make money that are the ones that get cut first.
Written by Jasmine, 333 days ago.
I've changed many working places and I must say that the better I tried to be, the worse the employers were to me. I remain puzzled to this kind of behavior even today. And, the quote "The one that has the gold makes the rules" is more than a quote - it's one of those sad facts of life!
Written by PatriceWalker, 333 days ago.
When I worked in human resources for the U.S. Federal government, we called that kind of treatment "punishing good performance." Managers and supervisors often overuse the people who are performing well because they know they'll do the work, but do hardly anything about the people who aren't probably because it's easier to do the former. At least that's my theory :-).
Written by careercounselor, 333 days ago.
You bring up a good point about how management is all about the bottom line and if they need to cut labor costs they will do it in a heartbeat to save their own jobs.

Some companies have realized that the workers are the backbone of the company and they treat them well while others just don't care and have high employment turnover rates.
Written by eddiemars, 333 days ago.
Patrice. It's funny that you should say that because I work for the Federal government as a Supervisor! LOL
Written by PatriceWalker, 333 days ago.
OMG, eddiemars, are you in the Washington DC area??

And notice, I said,"Managers and supervisors OFTEN over use the people who are performing..." We all know you would never do this :-)
Written by eddiemars, 332 days ago.
Patricewalker, I'm in S.C. and I took no offense to your comment. I know you weren't trying to be critical of me. My management article was based on my experiences with a certain management style. On that note, if you or anyone else that reads this ever has any constructive criticisms about the grammar or spelling in my articles, please let me know. I was always told, if it doesn't kill you it will only make you stronger.
Written by PatriceWalker, 332 days ago.
I hear you, eddiemars. That management style is all too prevalent unfortunately.

And I'll send you a private message if I catch any grammar/spelling boo boos.
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