[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Honestly though, companies have a responsibility for the well being of their employees, and that includes, to an extent, their fiscal well-being, and if that's not being met by the wages they are providing then the employee will suffer.
Ultimately, what a company wants is a person who is fit and healthy, both mentally and physically, and who will perform to their best. A person who is struggling to make ends meet will not do this, they will work long hours and be tired at their job, they will possibly put off medical conditions to avoid costs, thus reducing their overall effectiveness. You can only push the human body so far before it breaks down, and these days companies will push their staff as far as they can in order to get the maximum about of use out of them for the minimum about of input.
I know it's basic economics, exploit what you have to the most that you can with as little effort as possible, but at some point along the line you have to realise that what you have will go further if you look after it well, rather than discarding it and getting fresh recruits.
Some companies realise this, and they tend to have a pretty loyal and dedicated staff base, Virgin and Google are two that come to mind immediately, although I am sure there are others. Obviously in any corporation you get exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking they are very forward thinking when it comes to employee treatment, and it tends to pay off.

I did enjoy this satirical summation from The Onion--

As cities around the country, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Seattle, pass or propose legislation to substantially increase the minimum wage for workers, debate has raged over the potential economic, social, and fiscal impact. Here are some of the pros and cons of raising the minimum wage:

PROS

• Lifts workers out of poverty to brink of poverty
• One less thing to feel guilty about when leaving Chick-fil-A
• Shorter lines at pawn shops
• Higher morale among workers who aren’t casualties of cost-cutting layoffs
• Gets picketers out of pathway to Big Mac
• Bargain compared to cost of creating actual social safety net

CONS

• Workers will grow complacent and lazy if they can afford basic human needs
• Still just as insulting that your boss pays you lowest amount he or she legally allowed to
• Awkwardness of being served by cashiers wearing top hats and monocles
• 16-year-old cashier set to live like a freaking king for rest of summer
• Employee benefits like paid vacation, gym membership, and yoga sessions could be slashed for thousands of line cooks and convenience store clerks
• Increases expense of exploiting workers

http://www.theonion.com/graphic/pros...mum-wage-50476