Under the Thumb of Corporate Idiocy

We all are experiencing, in one way or another, economic hardships. Be it in the loss of jobs, reduced income, and obliterated health to name a few. When corporate entities intentionally contribute to those hardships it's a conscious act of irresponsibility.

Let's talk about a major international corporation who's name will remain anonymous for the sake of the employees stated herein. A German based Corp. that controls the majority of the ball bearing industry worldwide. Owned by woman and her son, this woman reigns over an inherited kingdom of wealth, left to her by her husband. The Germans may have lost war in December of 1941, but their quest for power is, now, being used internally within their very own corporate entities.

I happen to be speaking with a friend who has a friend that works for this particular corporation. Alas they remain failures in the forefront of their employee relationships as well.

Recently this particular friend of a friend, yes I have a predilection for gaining knowledge from friends of friends, was required by the company to make business trip overseas. A venture most employees would endear and one in which an "I can't afford to go." option is not readily available when it could endanger job retention. As with most major corporations, and some small businesses, a required credit check is done, prior to hire, in order to assure the company that the potential employee has a good record of paying bills basing this on the theory that the new hire will make a more responsible employee. I imagine in today's economic turmoil this thought process may need some adjusting.

Now we'll take a look at how this major corporation potentially damaged that very credit rating they relied on in hiring a responsible employee. The party involved was not given any indication, by the company, as to the costs they'd have to bear during this required international trip. By assumption, and clearly by past experiences, the general rule of thumb was that the employee carried the burden of food, drink and mileage with reimbursement for either full or percentages of such costs with a submittal of an expense report upon arrival home. Ah, but, the company had some surprises

Flight arrangements were made and paid for. Notices came via email with hotel bookings stating billing information to the company, leading one to believe the company was covering the hotel charges. A car rental was reserved. Again, the assumption was made that food, drink and mileage, to and from the airport, was the only employee carried costs.

Once arriving at their destination they found that the business had only booked the rental car, not paid for it. Adding to that cost was an upgrade to a GPSS unit; after all, they were in a foreign country. Who'd have thought they may need one of those babies. Not this conglomerate. The days rolled by. Food was charged to the rooms and weekend adventures were funded by the employees. Checkout day arrived and yet another company fubar situation emerged. The rooms were, indeed, reserved but again the burden was on the employee for payment from their personal funds.

Not only do I question the logic behind this business practice but the lack of consideration by a major international corporation that insists their employees suck up additional travel expenses above and beyond food and drink that they, the company, will have to reimburse them for in the end. One has to wonder why all necessary costs were not covered by company funds prior to their employee's arrival and departure during the booking process. I considered the fact that the company, being in the midst of its own economic crisis, may have felt that holding onto a couple thousand dollars would garner them some much needed interest until reimbursement was processed. Until I figured out the rates and didn't see a grandeur upside in what the company might gain by doing so.

Most folks nowadays are living paycheck to paycheck. Most folks aren't saving, and if they can, they are socking it away, again, leaving them to live from paycheck to paycheck. A corporation freeze on salaries and a reduction in pay also contributed to this scenario. With family's at home left unaware of how much in personal, out of pocket, expenses would be used, bills were delayed, or not paid, and living expenses were drastically reduced in anticipation of the worst case scenario. This company managed to reduce the very standard they so relied on for hire. Good credit history. With a single monthly paycheck, these families, now, have to wait for a company reimbursement and 5 more weeks before another paycheck, in order to catch up with their financial obligations. How does a company justify this type of action? I certainly can't.

What happens to those forced to travel for his company in the future that have no readily accessible funds? Do they borrow from relatives, friends, their pensions or 401k's to pay for company required trips overseas? For some, that may be the only option available. And what about the corporation? Why would they want the additional paperwork? Would it not have made more sense to pay upfront for all expenses the company knew they had to cover without questioning cost factors? Who dropped the ball on this one? The company did. With all due respect to the owner, her son and those she's placed under her wing of charge, the souls were lost in 1941. Get over it and bring your company back to a standard, moralized and civil relationship with those that earn the income you live so well on.