Executive salaries

[Winston001]

I guess what really annoys me is the disconnect between reality and the rarefied heights that some people rise to. The CEOs of the US auto companies who all flew to Washington in private jets is a telling example.

If we just consider Paul Reynolds and Telecom, isn't it likely there are astute managers in NZ who could do his job and happily accept $1-2 million? Yes I know its a huge company etc etc but Paul Reynolds doesn't run it by himself. Heck, the Minister of Finance runs a $59.5 billion business called the NZ Government and only gets paid $243,000.

[Dave Lobster]

If we just consider Paul Reynolds and Telecom, isn't it likely there are astute managers in NZ who could do his job and happily accept $1-2 million?

The Vodafone COE doesn't make that much. And his phone works every day.

[Tank]

The Vodafone COE doesn't make that much. And his phone works every day.

actually the CEO of vodafone was and when he left he did so with a $50,000,000 goodbye. His replacement was set to make $18,000,000 in his first year. Or are you confusing the actual CEO of a 4 billion dollar company (market cap of Telecom) with the country manager / ceo of vodafone?

[firefighter]

Does make for a nasty taste in the mouth mate,

They are all a pack of bastards to be honest,

Actually, my brother a very nice guy, and probably does more for society than you ever will.

It's funny how those that have'nt strived to get into those positions usually have an un-educated and often an unrealised envy of those who have.

We often forget/or are unaware of the work that went into getting those postions, it was'nt a gimme, it was well earnt, and it's everyone who works hard enough for it, and in the right way for it's "oyster", should they take the risk and give it a go.

From my personal experience, iv'e done the hands on/physical jobs, where you wonder how you get paid peanuts yet your physical workload is pretty significant.......and some "shiny ass" office worker gets all the dough.

It's easier to do a physical job with less education, than an educated job with little physical work needed. I'm a fence jumper, from physical to office, and I can very confidently say, physical labour orientated jobs are far easier at the end of the day.....that's why corporates get the big bucks.

If you get jealous and sick of being a pauper, join them! Open your own oysters., or you will always be looking up with an unwarranted hate or dislike for people, just because they bothered to put the time and work in for the education to get where they are.

[mashman]

It's easier to do a physical job with less education, than an educated job with little physical work needed. I'm a fence jumper, from physical to office, and I can very confidently say, physical labour orientated jobs are far easier at the end of the day.....that's why corporates get the big bucks.

I don't buy that at all... So you're saying that a physical job is all braun, no need for brain and anything else is a thinking job... I think you need to broaden your horizons ... What if you're in a physical job that requires lots of brain power, a marine engineer perhaps, you should be getting paid more than a CEO right?

they're not all cunts though, I agree... but "they" are called fat cats for a reason...

[Tank]

but "they" are called fat cats for a reason...

Only be the jealous plebs.

[Tank]

Actually, my brother a very nice guy, and probably does more for society than you ever will.

It's funny how those that have'nt strived to get into those positions usually have an un-educated and often an unrealised envy of those who have.

We often forget/or are unaware of the work that went into getting those postions, it was'nt a gimme, it was well earnt, and it's everyone who works hard enough for it, and in the right way for it's "oyster", should they take the risk and give it a go.

From my personal experience, iv'e done the hands on/physical jobs, where you wonder how you get paid peanuts yet your physical workload is pretty significant.......and some "shiny ass" office worker gets all the dough.

It's easier to do a physical job with less education, than an educated job with little physical work needed. I'm a fence jumper, from physical to office, and I can very confidently say, physical labour orientated jobs are far easier at the end of the day.....that's why corporates get the big bucks.

If you get jealous and sick of being a pauper, join them! Open your own oysters., or you will always be looking up with an unwarranted hate or dislike for people, just because they bothered to put the time and work in for the education to get where they are.

Brilliant post.

[mashman]

Only be the jealous plebs.

I'm sure jealousy has it's part to play... but not everyone is jealous of someone with money...

[Tank]

I'm sure jealousy has it's part to play... but not everyone is jealous of someone with money...

I wouldn't be to sure - you seem to be pretty focused on it - and come across as very envious.

[firefighter]

I don't buy that at all... So you're saying that a physical job is all braun, no need for brain and anything else is a thinking job...

No. I did'nt say that at all.......

Although I guess anyone is free to interpret anything the wrong way if they choose to.

think you need to broaden your horizons. What if you're in a physical job that requires lots of brain power

Like I said, i've worked both sides of the fence. Said marine engineer spends more time behind a desk than the rest of the grease monkeys. I spent 4 1/2 years in the Navy, My horizons are very up to date and broad especially in this field. Said Marine engineers on-board the ships are officers (marine engineering officers) and spend most time behind the desk, whether they admit it or not, and have the quals and the hugely larger pay packet, and it's well deserved......(remember we are talking corporate level/senior management here, if the big boss is spending that much time on the floor there's something wrong).

[mashman]

No. I did'nt say that at all.......

Although I guess anyone is free to interpret anything the wrong way if they choose to.

Sorry if i got the wrong end of the stick

[mashman]

I wouldn't be to sure - you seem to be pretty focused on it - and come across as very envious.

Oh my god you're right. fuck me. All this time, I mean, wow, what the fuck just happened... at least now i'll be fine and can be let back out into the community...

There's no envy here. I have, pretty much, everything I want (although I have seen this boat), it's just the rest of the world that worries me... so I'LL be fine until my kids are let out into that world and then they're on their own. As hard as it may be for some people to believe, my motivation is my kids. I look into our world and see horrors everywhere... i'm what I would call a responsible parent and perhaps a bit of an over thinker when it comes to the future that my kids will inherit some day. I believe that i'm a pretty fuckin good analyst too. Hence the world is fucked and I blame MONEY. We can't do anything about it. I'm not thinking outside of the box Tank, because there's no such thing as a box. You can achieve anything you want to, didn't you parents teach you anything. But as you can see, i question a lot of peoples motives too. You know understand my motivation... I will die one day.

[Winston001]

It's funny how those that have'nt strived to get into those positions usually have an un-educated and often an unrealised envy of those who have.

We often forget/or are unaware of the work that went into getting those postions, it was'nt a gimme, it was well earnt, and it's everyone who works hard enough for it, and in the right way for it's "oyster", should they take the risk and give it a go.

Nice post. I don't think that reasonable people object to high level managers and CEOs of large companies being well-paid. The problem has become a question of what well-paid means? There are CEOs in the world who are entitled to packages exceeding $50 million per annum. I find it hard to imagine any human being worth that much. If they own the company - fine. If they are taking it from employees and investors - not fine at all.

On a local level there is an excellent article in the NZ Listener 3rd April regarding our collapsed finance companies. http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3647...afe_hands.html The managers and CEOs paid themselves extremely well while in some cases using investors money to lend to their own development companies. Thus they had two bites at the cherry. Morally wrong but hard to prove in the criminal sense.

You see, some of these "managers" aren't actually any more clever than you and me. What they are good at is the gift of the gab. So I don't agree that executive salaries necessarily recognise ability. Sometimes its smoke and mirrors.

[Winston001]

Thinking further about this, the problem of reasonable rewards for value of work is spread right across society. 100 years ago scientists, inventors, authors and teachers were revered. These were the people looked up to in society and generally well paid. Today its sports people and TV newsreaders.

Don't get me wrong - good luck to the individuals who grab $100,000 to be on TV or play rugby. Its the people who agree to that level of payment who need their values reassessed.

The Wellington Rugby Union has just announced a $500,000 loss. How on earth could that happen in this sports mad day and age? Their response - cut player salaries.....?? Nope. Cut funding grants to local clubs which simply undermines the future of the game. Good thinking.

[slowpoke]

Like I said, i've worked both sides of the fence. Said marine engineer spends more time behind a desk than the rest of the grease monkeys. I spent 4 1/2 years in the Navy, My horizons are very up to date and broad especially in this field. Said Marine engineers on-board the ships are officers (marine engineering officers) and spend most time behind the desk, whether they admit it or not, and have the quals and the hugely larger pay packet, and it's well deserved......(remember we are talking corporate level/senior management here, if the big boss is spending that much time on the floor there's something wrong).

I don't think anyone has a problem with the "normal" scope of management payments in relation to a normal hierarchy. As mentioned, increased responsibiility, experience, technical nouse/skills etc should definitely be rewarded. But when someone can attend 3 board meetings and be paid 100's of thousands of dollars for the inconvenience or can be paid 10's of millions of dollars (100's of times the average salary for what seem to be a murky set of skills that no-one seems able to define and be set for several lifetimes from one years' good bad or indifferent work it's hard not feel that there's something wrong somewhere.

The ability to organise, assess, adjust, make decisions and take responsibility aren't in short supply and aren't displayed in greater proportion by those in elevated positions. They aren't working in hazardous conditions or locations, there are no lives resting on making quick correct decisions etc etc. Sure, there is a fair amount of jealousy involved but there is also a legitimate feeling of injustice at what are obscene amounts of money being paid to individuals whether they perform or not.

Same goes for sports and movie stars. To be paid that sort of money for trivial self serving endeavours is obscene.