28 Sep 04
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-loads of cash for all the fat cats at the top - really bizarre. Don't get me wrong, I know they have to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
28 Sep 04
Originally posted by richhoeyWell, is the better explanation that you work with a bunch of dronish cubicle-monkies, or rather that your co-workers lied on the survey?
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-load ...[text shortened]... to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
28 Sep 04
Originally posted by richhoeyPerhaps if you find your work rewarding and believe that the company's actions support a stong, safe, and/or developed community, then you could be proud of your company and proud of your participation in the organization.
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-load ...[text shortened]... to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
That said, my experience within the private sector was quite the opposite. I found the work mind-numbingly trivial. Tedious conformity was encouraged over initiative and inventiveness. Integrity, social responsibility, and personal esteem were sacrificed to squeeze out every last drop of cash. In fact, the only thing more widespread than the avarice was the sycophancy.
I was a banker.
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by richhoeyI had a similar speech when I worked for a large bank/insurance company.
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-load ...[text shortened]... to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
We were told not to badmouth the company in public, to be proud of the company. Basically they wanted us to live the company.
We had team building speeches and exercises which all went out the window in the first week of work when we were told we weren't allowed to ask other people for help/advice 😞
29 Sep 04
2 edits
Originally posted by VargAnd once it is in their best interest to lay you off, they will, without a second thought. Even if your pension is a week away. The sad truth is that most large companies expect loyalty but give nothing in return. They expect more from you relative to what you're paid. You can be demoted, transferred, reorganized, laid off, or fired at a whim. And yet, you are expected to work overtime when necessary, compromise your principles, keep silent when superiors make retarded decisions, all in the name of being a "team player."
We were told not to badmouth the company in public, to be proud of the company.
Some people call this the American Dream.
EDIT: And just to keep some people from flipping out, I mean that last sentence more figuratively than literally.
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by darvlayI suppose I'm a cubicle monkey too, even though at the moment I have an actual office with a door. OTOH, it is in a basement. 🙂
*sigh* i'm one of those cubicle monkeys...
I work for a university (I am computer-support staff) and while it may not be one of the topmost prestigious universities in the US or the world, I do feel a certain amount of pride in my own work and in the support I can provide to the enterprise of creating and transmitting knowledge. So, yes, I'm willing to say I'm proud of that.
Best Regards,
Paul
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by prnI should also add that I am proud of my work as well although sometimes I'm not so proud of how much time I spend playing chess or running the football pool then actually working... 🙂
I suppose I'm a cubicle monkey too, even though at the moment I have an actual office with a door. OTOH, it is in a basement. 🙂
I work for a university (I am computer-support staff) and while it may not be one of the topmost prestigious universities in the US or the world, I do feel a certain amount of pride in my own work and in the support I can provide t ...[text shortened]... ransmitting knowledge. So, yes, I'm willing to say I'm proud of that.
Best Regards,
Paul
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by RagnorakOh right! Well I work for the government, so really I have no business even talking! 🙂
I don't think the original issue was about being proud of your work. Everybody should feel rewarded for a job well done, whether in the house, garden or workplace. It was the fact that you are told that you should be proud to work for a specific corporation.
D
29 Sep 04
Originally posted by richhoeyI guess it all depends on one's level of seniority in the company. I'm 35 and mired in middle management for a large satellite TV company. I can still remember when starting my career I would openly scoff at corporate presentations, and vocalise my dissatisfaction with the endless platitudes coming down from senior management.
I had one of those horrendous coroporate presentations today, in which the company I work for presented results of an employee survey. Apparently 56 per cent of us (or something - I was drifting off by this point) were proud to work for the organisation.
Now, I find the concept of pride in a private company - something only in existence to make wad-load ...[text shortened]... to exist. I just don't want to go round being proud about them.
Am I odd in this?
Rich.
Now, it's harder to tell it like it is. I have a department that I have to try to keep motivated - if I say the wrong, cynical (realistic!) thing, it rebounds on me horribly. I have to front up depatmental meetings and try and rationalise the lunacy coming down from above.
As one gets older, one realises that the reason things are the way they are, is because that's the way they are. 98% of what you hear in corporate presentations is bullshit. But most of us get a comfortable living out of it.
30 Sep 04
Originally posted by prnI think there's zillions of difference in feeling pride for a university, which after all is fairly demonstrably there for public good.
I suppose I'm a cubicle monkey too, even though at the moment I have an actual office with a door. OTOH, it is in a basement. 🙂
I work for a university (I am computer-support staff) and while it may not be one of the topmost prestigious universities in the US or the world, I do feel a certain amount of pride in my own work and in the support I can provide t ...[text shortened]... ransmitting knowledge. So, yes, I'm willing to say I'm proud of that.
Best Regards,
Paul
I used to work for a charity - albeit a very big, sometimes scarily corporate like charity - and that was much more pride inducing.
Rich.