Hypocritical Corporate Practices Breed Cynicism

Workers as well as investors suffer from management greed and dishonesty. Barbara Ehrenreich experienced "time theft" first-hand as a low-wage worker for Wal-Mart and others while doing research for a book entitled Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America. The author alleges that Wal-Mart does not compensate associates for overtime hours worked.

In an Op-Ed piece for the New York Times, Ms. Ehrenreich wrote, "What has been revealed in corporate America over the past six months is a two-tier system of morality: Low-paid employees are required to be hard-working, law-abiding, rule-respecting straight arrows. Meanwhile, as we have learned from the cases of Enron, Adelphia, ImClone, WorldCom and others, many top executives have apparently felt free to do whatever they want -- conceal debts, lie about profits, engage in insider trading -- to the dismay and sometimes ruin of their shareholders."

Moderator Comment: Are unfair labor practices, such as those alleged against Wal-Mart common in retailing?

We can not claim to be tremendous supporters of organized labor in the U.S. Retail management, in an effort to remain competitive, may be providing associates with all the reason they need to organize. [George Anderson - Moderator]

• Two-Tiered Morality - The New York Times (registration required)