Network: January 1993

Network: reader-to-reader advice on a variety of topics.

By Michael P. Cronin | 
 

A CEO wants to celebrate his success with his-and-hers Lexuses but worries about alienating employees. Is he being too sensitive (Auto-cratic, October, [Article link])?

Shame on business ethicist Gary Edwards for saying this is a question "of morale, not morals." Judging from the letter, the scales at that company are unbalanced, and the employees perceive it.

Susan M. Blanford

President

Tele-Secretary South

Centerville, Ohio

* * *

P.S. I drive a '91 Dodge Caravan with two options -- radio and AC.

* * *

Why apologize for your success? You worked hard. As long as the company can afford the cars, go for it! And if you're looking for permission from your employees, forget it. As long as you treat them honorably, you're doing everything right.

But what do you want these cars for? Don't get them to win the approval of others; do it for your enjoyment.

J. Mitchell Perry

President

J. M. Perry

Palo Alto, Calif.

* * *

P.S. My car is a 1950 Cadillac Club Coupe.

* * *

Don't rent those costly yuppie luxury vehicles or you'll have a morale problem and a moral problem! Consider the message you send to your employees with their clunkers. Think about the American men and women whose jobs are threatened partly because upscale consumers shop for status symbols. Buy a domestically built car.

Rose Titus

Andover, Mass.

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