Lively Watercooler Discussion

[SilverBear]

It's time for us here at "Corporation USA, Inc. and Sons" to make our
benefits elections for 2010, one of them being the level of medical
insurance.

In the communication that arrived yesterday, it says:
<quote>
The changes for 2010 reflect the company's ongoing effort to manage
benefits costs, including health care costs that continue to skyrocket
because of a broken health care system in need of reform.
</quote>

I voiced my opinion that a politically-charged statement such as "broken
health care system in need of reform" had no place whatsoever in a
corporate communication. Regardless of your stand on the matter.

It was amazing to witness the ensuing discussion / debate / argument
that ensued, totally off-subject to the original statement that those words
were NOT appropriate. I just went back to my cube.

So: is it right for a corporation to make a statement like that? Or not?

 

[ECS-Mike]

Their playground, their rules.

 

[beckah54]

I applaud them for saying what a lot of others don't have the guts to. It is broken.

 

[Scottbee]

It's time for us here at "Corporation USA, Inc. and Sons" to make our
benefits elections for 2010, one of them being the level of medical
insurance.

In the communication that arrived yesterday, it says:
<quote>
The changes for 2010 reflect the company's ongoing effort to manage
benefits costs, including health care costs that continue to skyrocket
because of a broken health care system in need of reform.
</quote>

I voiced my opinion that a politically-charged statement such as "broken
health care system in need of reform" had no place whatsoever in a
corporate communication. Regardless of your stand on the matter.

It was amazing to witness the ensuing discussion / debate / argument
that ensued, totally off-subject to the original statement that those words
were NOT appropriate. I just went back to my cube.

So: is it right for a corporation to make a statement like that? Or not?

It is their prerogative. If they went further.. recommending a candidate or party... one could/would raise an eyebrow.

Employers pay a lot for health care.. both in their contribution to the premiums... but also in the tertiary costs associated with the failings of the system (sick days.. etc..). If it is "broken" from their perspective, then they have every right to say so.

Keep in mind "who works for whom" here....

 

[tribalmasters]

I thought water cooling an atomiser would be the subject of choice but it wasn't!

 

[Proverb]

As others have said, it's within the rights of the company to make such statements. I too applaud them for taking such a stand though, one way or the other, rather than working the machinations of their agenda through private channels. I can of course concede the point that it's probably not the best of business practices, but if it's an internal communique than I see nothing wrong with it. The employees have the right to choose who they work for and who they vote for. If they disagree with the companies position they're more than welcome to leave and pursue another company.

As long as the company doesn't threaten to take away the employees jobs if they don't take action to help support the companies political beliefs, they can say whatever they want. As someone else said earlier in the thread, "Their house, their rules"