MAYBE IT’S JUST ME… BUT I DOUBT IT VERY MUCH

A short digression from my two-part piece on the company-individual relationship – but one that is entirely apropos.

As I stated previously, I work for the world’s largest gambling company, Harrah's Inc. This is not something I’m proud of but, like most people, I need a job. I don’t plan to stay long.

Here’s the thing. During the current depression, the lords of Harrah’s have been crying poor. Telling their workforce that they’ll have to tighten their belts, cutting out all sick leave (and doing a thimble-and-pea trick with “PTO” or paid time off), freezing raises, laying people off, and so on and so forth. The usual “belt tightening” that generally applies to the belts of the many who can least afford it and not so much to the fat cats with the longest belts.

Pretty much standard operating procedure for most companies who are experiencing "tough times" – which doesn’t make it right, of course. Although I must say, that of all the companies I’ve worked for, Harrah’s is the most ruthless.

For all the talk from phonies like president Gary Loveman (pictured) about pulling together, being a family, care for the workers (the usual BS that they must be teaching in MBA programs), I’ve seen a lot of suffering and meanness at Harrah’s.

I’ll cover more of this ground in Part 2 of WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR COMPANY?, but a recent turn of events at Harrah’s warranted special mention. You see, for all their cutting back and laying off and lying and propagandizing, the struggling Harrah’s recently found enough coin in the coffers to purchase the 2,500-room Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino: a prime Las Vegas Strip property.

As miracles go, this must surely rank right up there with “Take up thy mat and walk.”

Maximum-profit-driven companies like Harrah’s often seem to enjoy adding insult to injury. There have been many insults doled out by this paragon of greed. They have insulted their workers’ rights, dignity, dependents and more.

But perhaps the greatest insult is that the elitists with their hands on the levers believe that their more than 80,000 employees* are nothing better than a bunch of simpletons.

*FOOTNOTE: This passage is verbatim Harrah’s corporation propaganda from the About Us section of the company website:

“Our Employees
At Harrah´s Entertainment, over 80,000 employees each make a unique contribution to your experiences, and to our ultimate success. From nurturing a sense of team with co-workers ... to improving the quality of life in their communities, Harrah's Entertainment sets the standard of excellence in the gaming industry with employees who are devoted to delivering truly great service. Our employees are critical to our success.

Our company truly is distinguished by its talented and dedicated employees. We recognize and reward superior contributions and outstanding achievements.”


Take care,
Adrian Zupp