Most of my employees are Bush fans

[ariellyn]

And they LOOOOOVVVVEEEE overtime work. When I cut overtime because I have to manage the budget, it's holy hell for them. Of course, I can't tell them that if they hadn't voted for people who have routinely voted against wage increases for them and their best interests overall, they might be in a better position. Three used to have Bush photos at their workstations--last December. I haven't seen those in a while. But they don't see the connection between having to work longer hours to earn overtime and the people that they vote for.

In the meantime, I'm the wicked witch of the west.

[seabeyond]

1. mine are bush fans too and when we dump health insurance

i will absolutely be telling them the reason why. that if we had kerry, maybe something would have been done with health insurance

[ClassWarrior]

2. Why can't you tell them exactly that?

That "if they hadn't voted for people who have routinely voted against wage increases for them and their best interests overall, they might be in a better position."

Why not?

NGU.

[ariellyn]

3. Because I don't want to bring politics into the workplace.

I don't think it's appropriate.

[buff2]

6. If you didn't want to bring politics into the workplace.........

why did you permit them to put pictures up of that idiot moron? :shrug:

[ariellyn]

17. I allow people to express themselves individually, I am not

there to control their political beliefs because I differ--especially when I manage them, I think that would be an abuse of power. I hate Bush but I try to put that aside and treat the morans like humans--but it's hard. Besides, they took the pix down voluntarily.

[NYC]

18. Why did they voluntarily take down the pictures of Bush?

Are they catching on?

[ariellyn]

22. Something changed but I don't know what. It'll be interesting to

see if they put them back up as their idol continues to stage photo-ops with Zarqawi and the like. I'll keep you posted.

[NYC]

25. Maybe you have your finger on the pulse of the

____________? Heartland? Do keep us posted. :)

[RoyGBiv]

19. Good call ...

This sort of thing can easily be abused and when expressed incorrectly can be considered a form of harassment.

Advice on down the thread about discussing issues is something else altogether, as long as it is casual "water cooler" talk.

[lumberjack_jeff]

28. The best way to combat speech you don't like is speech of your own

I suggest a Farenheit 9-11 movie poster. Right behind your desk so that the employees can see it over your shoulder during performance reviews. :)

[buff2]

20. I couldn't do it.

I hate that moron too much to put up with having to look at his pics in the workplace everyday. I try to avoid looking at him,period.Seems like his mug is plastered all over the place in DU. I can't stomach it. Sometimes I leave the computer because of it. I hate him with a passion.

[Ioo]

4. Why don't you tell them? Say it in a way that is not so blunt...

"Look guys, in spite of the news that is being pumped out, the economy is not great, and I need to trim the over time. The facts on the ground are a lot diffrent than the current 'line' from the top"

Say it in a way that is not an attack...

[lindisfarne]

8. And mention the economy would be in better shape if the money we

are pumping into a war machine were pumped into social programs, education, cutting taxes for all but the extremely wealthy, cutting the deficit. The military-industrial complex is a dead-end use of money; far more jobs are created by pumping the same money into the general economy and the money circulates many more times.

[Ioo]

11. Yes, I mean you CAN say what you want to say w/o saying it outright.

Just be clever, and let THEM make the connection between the lost of CASH from lack of overtime and the administration. It is all HOW you say it man...

I have a friend who SO wants to be a Republican, but his brand of Republican is long dead. He use to RAIL at Democrats, he HATES TED, I mean detests him. He is also a fed emp... so he starts giving me shit, and at the same time he tells me he is off on Monday or when ever, and I say "You better thank the Unions for this time off, it was the Gov Emp Unions that made this great job of yours happen"

Slowly I am making direct connections from his life, and the progressive plight, and he is starting to get it.

[ariellyn]

14. Salaries have been declining for quite some time due to inflation

and corporate loyalty to shareholders and these people have been oblivious because they've just worked more to keep up. So they don't get it--they won't get it.

[ariellyn]

10. I'll work on it. It's not easy saying things in a way that isn't

negative when I feel so strongly about them. Plus, subtlety doesn't work with Bush fans.

[Ioo]

12. The Words do not work when you say them, the paycheck is loud and clear

[Occulus]

29. So be unsubtle.

How long have you been in business? Long enough to make a graph of earnings over- say- a twelve year period? Even eight years would work...

Show them your budget, is what I'm getting at. Show them the dates certain policies were enacted and/or took effect.

Example:

"On x/xx/xxxx law X was signed into law by President Bush which did xyz to my costs related to Q. Congress said it was written to do RST, but as you can clearly see here, UVW occurred instead."

Only the facts, with no obvious political slant. Then say something like, "I was hoping he would veto the law, because I knew it would do Z to you."

There. Now you've shown them a very clear way, visually, that said bad policy affects them.

You're not 'being political', but you are showing them how politics directly affects them

The above is only an example; I'm sure you have something you can work with in that arena.

[LuckyLib]

27. The problem is that many workers see execs raking in the mega

bucks and themselves with the shitty end of the stick, and, rightfully so, consider that an injustice. Since they need overtime to survive, they "get" that it's they who have to sacrifice.

[Warpy]

5. Well, ferkrissakes do them a favor

the next time the subject comes up. Let them know the REPUBLICANS in Congress just voted themselves another $3400/year pay hike while they DEFEATED an additional two bucks an hour for working people. Let them know the REPUBLICANS have kept the minimum wage FROZEN for nine years while THEY have enjoyed a whopping 23% in pay hikes.

Then ask them if they're willing to keep paying the price to vote for that rich man's club, the GOP.

[Kerrytravelers]

7. Sounds like you have some pretty dumb employees!

:rofl:

[ariellyn]

9. You are right about that. I need to do a new resume. LOL n/t

[Dan]

13. Want to have fun...

Ask them to provide you justification on why you shouldn't outsource their jobs - and save money.

[ariellyn]

16. I could let them know that although their jobs won't be outsourced

many have had that happen...maybe they'd put two and two together....NAHHHHHH.

[man4allcats]

15. It is my understanding that there is a "low wage" work force

available. Maybe you should take advantage of that and lay off the Bushbots. I would be curious to know how they might react. :sarcasm:

[diamondsndust]

21. I'm so sorry for you! Got xanax??

:rofl: I fear for your mental health! You need lots of xanax or pot!

Luckily, I haven't ran into any dumbya supporters in a long time, even here in Tennessee. What I mostly find is either hardcore against, or just plain out uninterested in, or indifferent to politics in general. They usually say "well, it doesn't matter because they're gonna do what they want anyways" or "they're all just as corrupt and there's nothing we can do about it" to even "I don't get involved in politics so I don't even vote". I try to educate them on the importance of voting and trying to keep our Country free for us.

Ususally they can see my point of it, although I can't be sure they'll follow up on it and actually vote or not. For the ones who just remain to be uninterested, I usually leave them with a parting shot like "well, don't blame me when we wind up living in a dictatorship like a third world nation" or something to that effect. I don't say it nastily or sarcastically, more like with an air of indifference so they can taste the bitter fruits of their own indifference.

[Salviati]

23. Just classify them all as "management"...

then you won't have to pay them any overtime anymore, see how they like that...

[Ilsa]

24. You should serve Bush turds on a platter in your lunchroom.

It would serve them right.

[hughee99]

26. For what it's worth...

IMHO, making any kind of argument around the fact that they aren't getting a wage increase because of the people in Washington will not do anything but piss them off at you. Here's how I think the repukes will understand the issue (no matter how you explain it):

You can afford to pay them more, but no one in Washington is making you do it, so you won't.

If you want to get into this on a political level, discuss the current state of your overall business and the economy, and how it is affected by those in Washington.

[lumberjack_jeff]

30. Right. When they complain about their pay...

... say: "your pay is 1.5 times the current minimum wage. Right where our industry values your skills." People forget that their pay is usually indirectly tied to the minimum wage.

[lynne]

31. Simple solution to keep them happy -

- Fire one. Then there will be plenty of overtime work available for the rest.

[ariellyn]

37. LOL. I like that--and will probably do it--very soon. n/t

[upi402]

32. You're cool O/P

Smart too. I know someone much like that.

[LibertyorDeath]

33. It's my firm belief

It's my firm belief

THAT YOU HAVE TO BE JUST THIS SIDE OF RETARDED TO SUPPORT ANYTHING THAT CORRUPT LYING FUCKER
SAYS OR DOES!

[bling bling]

34. I don't get it.

You say "they voted for people who have voted against wage increases for them...." as though their dilemma is their fault, directly or indirectly.

Are they making minimum wage, then? Are they really your employees or are you just the manager. Who decides the salaries? If it's you, then you have also "voted against wage increases for them..." by not giving them wage increases.

How can this example possibly be used as an argument against D.C. Republicans? The government doesn't force you to NOT increase their salaries, right?

What am I missing?

[ariellyn]

36. I'm just the manager. As for 'voting against wage increases'...

that applies not only to minimum wage but to all wage levels. Many Americans' salaries have been raised at the minimum levels for nearly a decade. I heard on the news the other day most Americans can expect a 3% wage increase this year. Holding Americans' wages down while reaping record profits is not in the interests of the average citizen, yet, they vote for people who do this. Does that make it any clearer for you?

[bling bling]

38. That makes it much clearer.

Thank you for clarifying. I fully support wage increases and think it's completely disgusting that minimum wage hasn't increased since 1997.

What I didn't "get" before when I asked the question was why you would wait until the gov't forced you to raise your employees wages. That didn't make sense to me if you're a Democrat. Now if you were a Republican, on the other hand, I wouldn't have blinked an eye because that's what I would have expected.

However, now that I understand you're the manager and it's out of your control it invalidates my question and I can also say that I agree with you 100%. Your employees have let themselves get suckered into voting for the Republicans and therefore have literally screwed themselves out of higher wages. The dem's are the ones proposing wage increases and the greedy repugs vote it down every single time. It's inconceivable how anybody but the super rich can vote republican

[fujiyama]

35. Screw them

If they're the die hard republican free market types you say they are, they should understand that your a capitalist, and they live in a capitalistic society. After all if they had it in them, why aren't they starting their own company? What happened to Reagan era "green is good", Horatio Alger and all that bullshit? Silly people depending on you for their welfare. As for the healthcare, I'm even more amused. I thought we "had the best healthcare system in the world"?

Typical repuke mentality - it's OK when someone else is screwed but when it happens to me it's "different". Whhhhaaaa!

Do they also listen to Limbutt at work?