Published in World at Work August 31, 2009
Just more than one-quarter (28%) of surveyed workers said they plan to ask for a raise after the economy improves, according to a new survey
Archive for August 31st, 2009
Expert Perspective
Looking for CEO’s in All the Wrong Places
Expert Perspective by Grahall’s OmniMedia Editorial Board
The August 20, 2009 article by Reuter’s journalist Lilla Zill (“AIG chief’s salary structured to reflect risk“) says “AIG, the bailed out insurer whose pay practices sparked outrage earlier this year … said it will pay Benmosche, who became CEO on August 10, a salary of $3 million in cash and $4 million in fully vested stock. He also could receive a bonus valued as high as $3.5 million.”
We wonder what the message is when the government’s pay czar approves such a package.
Continue reading “Looking for CEO’s in All the Wrong Places” »
Expert Perspective
We Wish We Were WRONG
Expert Perspective by Grahall’s Robert Cirkiel
An August 28, 2009 article by Reuters journalist Maggie Fox (WHO Warns of Severe Form of Swine Flu) shares that “Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people…”.
Grahall could be gloating. We predicted way ahead of the “experts” that H1N1 was trending badly (see H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update #4 ) and that it was affecting young adults more than children and the elderly, and that its virulence was its attack on the lungs (see Swine Flu Update #6 .)
However we are not gloating; in fact, we would have preferred to be wrong.
Now, let’s take a look at the cost impact on employers.
Continue reading “We Wish We Were WRONG” »
Expert Perspective
The Numbers Game
Expert Perspective by Grahall’s OmniMedia Editorial Board
Brandon Clay is right when he suggests in his August 19, 2009 article for Seeking Alpha (“CEO Compensation: Most Overpaid?”) that to inquire about how much one makes is “… one of those taboo questions that usually goes unasked …[but] CEOs don’t always enjoy such luxuries.” He then shares the list from CNNMoney of the “Top 10 Executive Earners in Corporate America”. Clay ends his piece with the provocative statement: “I’ll let you decide if these guys were overcompensated for their company’s performance.”
According to the CNNMoney list, Stephen Schwartzman’s “compensation” from Blackstone exceeds $700 million for 2008. Based on this list topping amount, one might almost feel a tad sorry for Michael Jeffries at Abercrombie, who made a mere $71 million. But few of us “average Americans” feel sorry for any of these guys. We’re more likely to feel outrage over these amounts – particularly where their companies are losing money.
But it’s more complicated than that.
Continue reading “The Numbers Game” »
Announcements
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Newsfeeds
Cut my pay … please!
Published in CNNMoney August 31, 2009 by Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer
As the number of layoffs mount, more workers are ready and willing to take significant pay cuts to find employment. Finding work in this recession takes determination, perseverance and, most of all, sacrifice.
Newsfeeds
SEC Warns Brokerage CEOs on Pay
Published in The Wall Street Journal August 31, 2009 by Sarah Lynch
The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday sent a letter to chief executives at brokerage firms warning them against offering certain compensation arrangements that may leave customers at risk.