Major Workplace Changes

Hangman

The Ideal Terbite
Aug 6, 2003
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www.fark.com
....it has developed the race to the bottom all the 1st world economies are in...


N2G
There's a nice emotional argument. But the facts don't support it.

First World nations have actually lowered many measures of economic risk (variabilty in interest and inflation rates, for example) by diversifying elements of the production process. We now specialize in design and marketing, but hungrier risk-taking economies like Brazil, China and India have stepped up and assumed the risks (and rewards) of the production process, which is where the largest capital investment and therefore risk in the supply chain is focussed. So, I don't see us as in a race to the bottom. Where dod you get that odd notion?

So maybe some people have been hurt, but much as buggy-whip manufacturers were put out of business by the automobile, elements of our economy will have to adapt and overcome.
 

torontojohn

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Feb 9, 2002
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I would prefer than natural economic units (as defined naturally by culture and geography) be mostly self-sufficient.

Any region so defined should be able to feed itself and create all of the consumer goods it needs (not wants, mind you, just needs).

Long distance trade should be for luxuries only. The current trend of 1st world countries being dependent on 3rd world developing economies is dangerous. A stupid politically based economic policy half way across the world should not be able to cause a Great Depression here - yet that's where we are right now.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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way out in left field
But first world standards of living are rising, not falling. If low value work could not be outsourced, it would limit how much the standard of living could rise. It is not pleasant to lose your career because it can now be outsourced, but it has an overall benefit to both countries. Unfortunately, the benefits are not distributed evenly within the outsourced from country.
You could say that 10 times and still it couldn't be more true. As I've stated here before: our (and the US') economic growth is overwelmingly going to the top 1% of each country, all us "regular" folks are left scrambling for the leftover 3%.

While I wholeheartedly agree, and loathe them with a passion, one thing the unions DO try to do is grab hold of some of that wealth. Unfortunately it isn't the top 1% who pay, it is us "regular" folk.

I'm no economist but this crash we're in now is only the beginning. There will come a time when there will be two classes: slave and elite. The middle class will no longer exist. Proof positive of this is the current housing crunch in the US. The ONLY reason this recession is here is because of the "big guys/the elite" trying to rape the middle and lower classes by stealing their income and then their homes. Only thing is: it backfired this time.

The biggest problem I have with O'Bama's bailouts is the fact that he's not directly helping those that need it most. The Feds are dishing out trillions of dollars to help those financial instituitions that shot themselves in the foot.
 

bsi

New member
May 19, 2006
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No more secretaries.

There was a time before computers when you handed your handwritten thoughts to someone and they typed it up. Maybe right, maybe wrong. They also took all the paper and put it somewhere where they could find it later.

They also tracked upcoming appointments and deadlines to give you heads up. And they screened some people from seeing you.

Obviously, most or all of that has disappeared into computers and PDA's. But several hundreds of thousands of entry and mid level jobs in North America have gone poof. Far more than the auto guys although not as well paying.
 

PolrBear

MILF Diner
Aug 25, 2009
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Kitchener
As the world got smaller, it devoured NA in a hurry. Oh to have been born 100 years earlier.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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No more secretaries.

There was a time before computers when you handed your handwritten thoughts to someone and they typed it up. Maybe right, maybe wrong. They also took all the paper and put it somewhere where they could find it later.

They also tracked upcoming appointments and deadlines to give you heads up. And they screened some people from seeing you.

Obviously, most or all of that has disappeared into computers and PDA's. But several hundreds of thousands of entry and mid level jobs in North America have gone poof. Far more than the auto guys although not as well paying.
Now that you mention it, silicone sally/voice mail/receptionists. There are lots of places like Dr's offices that still have them but I have been to a few companies who simply had a phone at the reception area no hottie. The last few places I worked simply had 1 departmental secretary who would do all our menial work instead of each big shot having his own.......
 

Keebler Elf

The Original Elf
Aug 31, 2001
14,768
431
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The Keebler Factory
While I wholeheartedly agree, and loathe them with a passion, one thing the unions DO try to do is grab hold of some of that wealth. Unfortunately it isn't the top 1% who pay, it is us "regular" folk.
OMG! I'm printing this out for future reference!!! Something good that unions do. And from the mouth of tboy no less! :p
 

Rockslinger

Banned
Apr 24, 2005
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When I started my working life, a suit and tie was compulsory. Then came casual Fridays followed by business casual Mondays to Thursdays (yay).
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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When I started my working life, a suit and tie was compulsory. Then came casual Fridays followed by business casual Mondays to Thursdays (yay).
I remember being middle/lower management suit coats weren't required, just shirt and tie. Since guy's wear is rather limited, black brown blue grey dress pants and typically white shirt, it was all about the tie. The tie was everything. You'd always notice when someone got a new one....

To this day I still notice who has a great tie, especially on TV and in the movies......oh and I remember about the knot too. If someone had a crappy knot, we'd tease the fuck out of them. But once you got it tied just right, nice triangle shape, the length just right YOU LEFT IT TIED lol. I know it's supposed to be bad for the tie but I tell ya, I've still got some in my closet from 15 years ago that still have a perfect knot lol....
 

Rockslinger

Banned
Apr 24, 2005
32,766
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Which firm?
I can't name the firm for confidentiality reasons but feel free to look up this article (and other articles) on Canadian law firms outsourcing work to India. (Canada is actually lagging the U.S. in this area.)

Law Firms Outsource Work to India
Janice Tibbetts
Ottawa Citizen
July 4, 2006
 

Keebler Elf

The Original Elf
Aug 31, 2001
14,768
431
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The Keebler Factory
I find pants on a woman to be such an incredible turnoff. It's like they're trying too hard to be like men.

You see a business woman in a skirt and, assuming she's decent looking, it's enjoyable watching all the hags sneer and fume with envy.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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I find pants on a woman to be such an incredible turnoff. It's like they're trying too hard to be like men.

You see a business woman in a skirt and, assuming she's decent looking, it's enjoyable watching all the hags sneer and fume with envy.
Dude, my condolences! I guess you don't have any hotties with great legs and asses around your office. Sorry, a skirt (any length) doesn't show off a woman's ass like a nice tailored pair of slacks.....The thing is: not many women can get away with them so for the most part, all you get are rolls and rolls and stretch lines.
 

Rockslinger

Banned
Apr 24, 2005
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I find pants on a woman to be such an incredible turnoff. It's like they're trying too hard to be like men.
I'm old enough to remember when young office ladies wore transparent blouses and short skirts and they would bend over:eek: in front of you (and also wore perfume). Perfume has been banned in our office.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
15,966
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way out in left field
I'm old enough to remember when young office ladies wore transparent blouses and short skirts and they would bend over:eek: in front of you (and also wore perfume). Perfume has been banned in our office.
Thank god for small miracles!

I used to work in an office that was 99.9% women (don't get your hopes up, they were all fugly) and I'm allergic to cheap perfume.....there were times I couldn't breathe.......
 
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