Condemned To Die

As I was driving to The Asylum yesterday I passed a work crew getting instructions.

I pass a tree service business every day. The boss was out there surrounded by four or five guys and he was talking to them. It was obviously not a social conversation; he was giving them instructions.

Felt like an old school scene of employment.

The business is probably small, probably not a large number of employees.

The relationship of the employees one to another and with their boss is probably intimate.

Face to face day by day.

Not a lot of memos flying around, no policy and procedure manuals that must be read and initialed.

Disputes probably get settled directly.

Contrast this with the organization I work for. The New Hampshire State Liquor Commission.

An organization that is corrupt and inefficient. Bloatedly bureaucratic. Exploitive of and uncaring for its employees. Standing on the backs of part time employees who outnumber full timers exponentially. Management is blatantly phony in its dealing with employees. Many lies are involved.

In other words, an organization that follows the current business model in America.

There is no loyalty on the part of the majority of employees. Sarcasm is the overwhelming point of view.

The entire working experience is negative.

The tree service has its share of negativity, I'm sure. Guys who call the boss an asshole behind his back. Guys who goof off at every opportunity. Employee vs employee feuds. Inefficiencies.

These are the sterling qualities of the human race.

But I'm betting that these poisons are exposed quickly and dealt with directly. I'm guessing that management is in touch with the workforce and cares about attitude because attitude directly impacts performance.

What I saw yesterday was a throwback to a time when there was more of a balance between the work employees provide and the employment the boss makes possible.

This situation will soon be dead.

Corrupt, mean spirited organizations like The New Hampshire State Liquor Commission will be the only option.

As Leonard Cohen says in "The Future" : "I've seen the future, brother: it is murder."