Martha said:
It sounds like it is time for employees to begin to unionize again.
Wow, I'd personally hate to see unions become the 'answer' to this problem. While there may be some pain in letting the free market work, I really think it is best in the long run.
If 'Joe' is creating a bad work environment, he will either adapt to the feedback he gets, or the will lose the best workers (always the most marketable), morale will crumble and productivity will go down. This only goes on so long before his more productive competitors drive him out of business, or the company adapts. Yes, it is hard, but I still say, if you don't like the work environment, takes steps to change it and be prepared to leave for greener pastures.
Here's why I don't like the union 'answer': it becomes a 'one size fits all' set of rules and regulations. Now, envision a hypothetical small start up of very motivated, very innovative, very skilled workers. They know the only way they can take on the 'big guys' is to work long, long hours and little time off for a couple of years in order to get their product ready. But the payoff, to them (and to society if their product is truly innovative and useful) is huge. They *want* to work the long hours. But, in a union dominated environment, this type of behavior could be 'outlawed' - and we all suffer.
I say - let the free market work. Some of the posters think all these companies are just stuck into short term thinking - and that's the problem? That may be true, but then use it - make some lemonade. Start your own company and show them how much more profitable long term thinking works. It should be easy right - after all, these guys are all so dumb, anyone should be able to do it better? Go get 'em.
-ERD50