Benefit costs for our management staff (not the big, big kids) run about 34% annually. We're a comparatively large company with about 4,000 management personnel
It's always understood that personnel costs are the single larges controllable expense. That's why you do layoffs in bad times- Except when union agreements prevent you from reducing your personnel costs (see GM for an example of this problem). Generally it's easier to do without low-end people than accountants and other professionals, so the little guys get cut first.
But what else are you going to do? You can't stop paying the power bill or the rent or purchasing merchandise (or AV-gasoline as the case may be). You have to save money somewhere.
"Generally it's easier to do without low-end people than accountants and other professionals, so the little guys get cut first."
That's just common sense, and I think even low-end people would admit that. Everyone knows a companie's first priority is to make money. If they don't do that, there won't be a company.
What is objectionable is rewarding bad management. Managers and executives in a public company are still employees. Why are they being rewarded for bad management? It looks like the old boy's club at the shareholder's expense.
Another thing that's objectionable is the attitude of some freepers. You seem a bit more reasoned, so I'll present it to you. They see workers as less than human. I realize workers are commodities, and the business doesn't exist just to provide jobs. But people should be treated like people. Respect.
If I go out to dinner, the wait staff is working for me. I can treat them as equals who happen to be doing a service for me, or I can treat them like low-lives who had better toe the line if they want a tip. If I treat them well, they will most likely be attentive, and in general it will be a pleasant experience. If I treat them poorly, they get stressed, I get angry, and it all goes downhill, (not to mention what they will likely do to my food).
Naturally, as with all things to do with people there are exceptions. But I think it's a valid comparison. I was always taught that I should respect people unless/until they prove they DON'T deserve it. Not disrespect them until they earn respect.