GM let those people go, because suddenly, manufacturing cars safely, up to code, was no longer cost efficient for GM and it was eating into their profits. GM felt that it was better to not pay its employees what they are worth for putting in the time to make a good product, GOOD DOMESTIC PRODUCT. GM can't compete with better made cars some where else that are safer and up to code.

You have greedy corporations that take American jobs overseas because paying American workers what they are worth in order to get good product is no longer making a profit. They break even, if that, or file bankruptcy because it costs too much to treat workers decently with the proper benefits.

People forget that in order to work correctly, productive, efficiently; an individual worker needs vacation time (to prevent job burn-out), health insurance (to remain healthy for working, can't work when you are sick) and IF the worker works overtime, he/she needs to be properly compensated.

Other benefits, such as 401K, Stock options, retirement pensions and the such are optional for the company to provide, but are offered anyways. Globally, the USA is way behind on employee compensation. I hear in other countries even a new father gets maternity leave.

Most of what we consider as legislated, enforced safety and workplace standards weren't just a few decades ago. Our forefathers (and mothers!) had to fight and assemble themselves as unions just to ensure that these 'unnecessary' standards would be met. While I certainly don't condone unions that have run amok (I grew up out here in the prairies - union could almost be a curse word), I usually support groups who strike for benefits that we may soon consider necessary and required by law.

In my opinion, the best way that Americans can keep jobs in America is by choosing products and services that are produced in America.

Would you consider maternity leave to be an unnecessary benefit that American workers should just learn to give up and get over it?

I started this discussion knowing that I wasn't right. I just didn't know how I wasn't right. I know working is going to be hard. I know I will be singing a different tune when I get a real job. I want to be a lawyer, I understand there is alot of paperwork, reading and research involved, but right now in my mind I dont see why a law firm would have to prvoide health insurance for a lawyer when said firm doesn't put the lawyer in any unhealthy situations, and as for maternity leave, thats one benefit we should be able to keep.

That was done on purpose to contradict itself, It was sapposed to be a joke. I was in class but I'm actually ahead of everyone so I sometimes Plime. The teacher doesn't mind he thinks im brilliant. I might find a way to show you the 3-D model of this house i'm drawing on CAD it looks awesome!

PS- remember tonight is the night of the lunar eclipse!!!

I guess it all depends on whether or not your business practices are based on principle or greed. Most companies are primarily concerned with the almighty dollar, and it's cheaper to outsource many jobs to other countries.

I've often thought about creating a business that was primarily concerned with the welfare of it's employees. Probably wouldn't have a chance at competing in today's market, though.

Any business that starts out with the main intention of making a specified or target amount of money, doing whatever, is doomed to fail.
If, however, a business has a plan to provide a service that is needed or wanted (or which you can convince people that they need..), then the money will follow.

All jobs, all of them, no matter the field, puts their workers in unhealthy situations, whether is operating heavy machinery where anything could happen from skin getting pinched on machinery to loosing a limb, to being a lawyer where working on cases can lead to mental strain and fatigue...

Considering all the unhealthy situations that companies put their workers into and refuse to compensate them for it.

Eventually, with all the jobs going overseas, labor laws globally will raise to the standard that they are supposed to be. And finally, companies will realize that they cannot get away from treating workers unfairly because there won't be cheap labor anymore.

A law firm cannot offer it's partners health insurance and not the associates or staff. Trust me, the partners don't want to pay out of pocket so the firm is definitely going to pay for it.

If you don't think you'll be put into unhealthy situations you need to really clerk somewhere before blowing tons of money on law school. I have seen so many lawyers burn out from stress, long hours, difficult clients, etc. There's more to it than writing a brief and collecting 1/3. Then too it depends on the type of law, criminal law carries an inherent risk just being around the clients, mass tort law may make you come into contact with toxic substances, tax law could bore you to death, matrimonial/family law is probably the most stressful and demanding. Seriously, it's not a cake walk.
So he hasn't seen your spelling and grammar then? ;)


I think one of the smartest things a company can do is offer great benefits. Profit sharing, stock shares, tuition reimbursement etc. You want to attract the best people, you want the most out of those people. You want loyalty, creative thinking/problem solving, people who "get it" who are really working to achieve the best for the company then you make the life of those employees easier.

On the list of best companies to work for, check out what these companies offer employees. On premises child care, massages, hair cuts, bring your dog to work, the list goes on. Look at the companies, they're very successful. They aren't outsourcing. They share the wealth and get back the wealth of knowledge and commitment from their employees. That's win-win.

One could argue that since most lawyers are required to live in urban areas, that very lifestyle may be unhealthy. It can be a very high stress job as well, and there is ample evidence that too much stress is unhealthy. While I think the government should provide health care to everybody, I think it's dangerous to say that a lawyer won't ever be in an unhealthy situation as a result of his or her work.

First, let me apologize in advance, I fully expect this to offend someone, if not multiple someone's.

I've pondered this for a few hours. And Dork, while I'm not saying you don't have the RIGHT to an opinion on this, I will say that your classification of ANY benefit (you still haven't specified which ones you think are unreasonable, really) as unnecessary is going to be flat. Fine in concept, but not wired to reality.

Like I said earlier I didnt really expect to be "right" but "fine in concept, but not wired to realality is an excellent way to describe this situation. I just wanted to start a discussion and get some opinions.

This is a very interesting argument, and I am surprised by the reactions. When you bring up the topic "They takin our jobs!" when it applies to outsourcing no one will defend it, however when you apply it to the Mexico/America job issue it is hard to find a sympathetic ear.

In fact you find things like this pretty common

Dork, do you work now? Do you have insurance?

db post

I work at a grocery store its not much of a job. I dont have insurance, but I stated earlier that as I get older I'm sure my opinions would change. I'm sure some of your opinions have changed since you were 17 or 18

answer:

Yes, but do you work full or part time? They generally only off such benefits to people they believe will stay there longer than a few months (full time employees)

I would have to agree with Maven, Chinook, and keroberos32 on this subject. I know I'm personally not going to negotiate over my so call "benefit" besides being in my line of work there is always a local demand, I don't see that as something that The corporation would "pimp out" to other countries.

I work weekends. Over the summer I do work around 40 hours a week

Edit to add. Most jobs require driving. why dont companies pay for car insurance?

Good link. I'll probably use that one in the near future. It ties the two discussions (this thread and yours regarding illegal immigration) together quite nicely!

because health is more expensive, and there is a bigger demand for it.