A rerversal of priorities

[Faust]

I have worked on both sides of the "blue collar" " white collar" divide and I have this observation to submit.
In years past, a career was the by-product of the manufacturing and services industries.
It seems to me that a reversal of priorities has taken place. Products and services seem to be the by-product of the career manufacturing process to the detriment of goods and services.
Any comments?
Faust.

 

[rivet]

It seems to me that a reversal of priorities has taken place. Products and services seem to be the by-product of the career manufacturing process to the detriment of goods and services.

I don't know if there has been a reversal of priorties.
Businesses are driven by profit. Labor is a major expense. Easiest way to increase profits is to layoff workers.

Career employees are expensive. They demand ever-increasing salaries and pensions. Better to encourage high-turnover to keep profits up.

 

[michel]

I have worked on both sides of the "blue collar" " white collar" divide and I have this observation to submit.
In years past, a career was the by-product of the manufacturing and services industries.
It seems to me that a reversal of priorities has taken place. Products and services seem to be the by-product of the career manufacturing process to the detriment of goods and services.
Any comments?
Faust.

I'll go along with that re the services industries. When I was in Banking, behind a counter, I was told that a)the customer was always right and b) even if he wasn't , you had to be very diplomatic - the main priority was politeness.
My wife and I had a 'run in' with a guy in the service department of a garage. After we proved he was in the wrong about something, seeing that he apparently was not going to apologise, Marie said to him "Well, aren't you going to apologise then?" - in a pleasant, almost 'jocular' manner.
He looked at us, scowled, and grunted:tsk: 'Well, my boss was also wrong; why should I apologise?'

 

[Feathers in Hair]

That's horrible, Michel. I know I've stated it before, but I really dislike rude people.

I am lucky enough to work for a company that actually practises what they state they believe in. During training, we were told that the company philosophy was to "Use good judgement" in whatever you're doing. Naturally, I thought sarcastically 'Well, that's all very well and good, but will they actually let us do it?" When I got on the phones (we take catalog orders, returns and whatnot), I found out that it was actually true. As a service person, you are enabled to do things like price adjustments, refund shipping and handling, and pretty much everything you can to delight the customer and make their 'shopping' pleasant.

I still want to work in the massage therapy field in which my training is, and which I find most rewarding, but I'm glad I get to work at a place where I can respect myself (and others!) while I'm trying to find the other.

 

[Faust]

Career employees are expensive. They demand ever-increasing salaries and pensions. Better to encourage high-turnover to keep profits up.

And what about jobs that require an extensive amount of training and knowledge?
Faust.