Your actions during this time could be vital

Will doing the right thing be remembered?

[mack]

As we are all aware, the world is in unprecedented territory. We hear stories on a daily basis of what companies are doing (or not doing) to support both customers and employees. I would like to think that businesses who "do the right thing" will be remembered for acting in an appropriate manner.

Do you agree that this is the case, or will good or bad actions simply be overlooked when things begin to return to normal?

Mack.

[engine]

It's clear there are bad actions going on, but I think the key right now is to be positive and look at the opportunities that may arise.

I've already seen a number of places that are highlighting the bad actions of some businesses, and i'm not sure that anything will come of it in the longer term.

Big companies for sure should be looking to be more charitable towards their employees that have helped build the business, imho.

I'll do the right thing as far as I can, but in the unprecedented times it mean going that little bit further.

[lammert]

There's a fine line between doing the right thing, and preying on the moment. I see too many businesses which use the situation as a marketing opportunity, rather than a moment of good-doing.

One of my clients who are in a vital industry worked nights to build screens at people's workplaces where they are too close to co-workers and converted several offices to make-shift canteens for their employees to spread their work-force and adhere to the social distance rules. They didn't talk about it in the press, they just did it because they thought it was the right thing to do. Will they be remembered? By their employees probably, but not by their customers who only saw that the services weren't interrupted, but don't know what went on behind the scenes.

[engine]

I see too many businesses which use the situation as a marketing opportunity, rather than a moment of good-doing.

That's true, and the number of those that sent e-mails over each situation appears opportunistic marketing. It looks spammy. Why don't they just put it on their website!

Will they be remembered? By their employees probably, but not by their customers who only saw that the services weren't interrupted, but don't know what went on behind the scenes.

That would be sad, but it's probably true. I'd like to think people and businesses will come together. I'm hoping there will less of "me, me, me" attitude.

[tangor]

Do the right thing is always the preferred method.

Meanwhile, the herd memory is very imprecise. I doubt many will remember who did what a few weeks after the return to "normal" occurs ... and it will if for no other reason than to "keep on as we are" is social, national, and global suicide.

[explorador]

mack:

I would like to think that businesses who "do the right thing" will be remembered for acting in an appropriate manner.

I often revisit my posture about this and my conclusion is... whoever knows what's right... should do what's right regardless of being remembered or not. Some might think this is an over simplification on the topic, but I'm just inclined to do the right thing because of my beliefs (that doesn't mean I'm perfect or a saint), what I'm saying is I would try to help, in fact that's what I've been trying to do with my clients right now.

Sadly... some don't put value to it. It's important for people to understand the value of the favor, sort of saying. But in the tech field sometimes people think everything it's easy, not as building a wall of bricks. Returning to doing the right thing, just remember, many were educated on doing the right thing or else... "it will hurt", some have consideration towards others, some want to shine, some are opportunistic "doing the right thing", and some will only do the right thing as long as there is public to see it and as long as that would be remembered (and relevant).

This sort of things has been discussed in interesting depths on other forums I visit, and the testimonials of people can be shocking. Some go straight to say they are ABSOLUTELY UNABLE to believe someone is able to do good without asking anything in return, some say "nobody is that good" and any form of help they think it's a trap. I tried to help a client in trouble, in that case things went nowhere and somehow he revealed at the end in a terrible situation he was afraid that I would take away (steal) "his great ideas", that guy is broke, no job now, no company now... couldn't understand help was help and I was not interested AT ALL on his ideas. There is a long analysis on this regarding a film titled Calvary, 2014.

I worked at this place where the owner was very kind, a huge but kind person and also known that way (with all those words) locally. He had this big company with great benefits and helped the workers in many ways. People took him for a clown, I know it because I worked there and got to here the worker comments, it was terrible, such lack of respect for his kindness, so he removed the benefits at the extent he could (in my local legislation if you add something, it's tricky to remove it, you could get sued). Anyway he later said "I'm tired of this... so I will close the company" and he did.

The ex coworkers were faster to say he was a fool rather than a good man. Terrible.

I'm probably unable to explain the connection of this with the original post, it's just... some people are absolutely unable to recognize good... or to deserve it, and sometimes you can't exactly pick and help those you pick (due to legal issues).

[edited by: LifeinAsia at 6:41 pm (utc) on Jun 3, 2020]
[edit reason] removed religious reference [/edit]

[tangor]

Consumer memory is fickle as heck. The only thing they remember is if they benefited.

On the other hand, if you, as a business, always put the customer first, you can reinforce that memory into the next generation.

And then have it all turn to a chit show if PC toes are stepped on, inadvertently or by accident.

The do good has not changed, but the herd has ... and there's no fixing that by any good deeds or even good coding.

This is 2020, not 1950.

[explorador]

tangor said it better, clearer.

Quoting mack:

I would like to think that businesses who "do the right thing" will be remembered for acting in an appropriate manner.

I'm curios what people understand by "the right thing" to do regarding businesses as mentioned above. Socially, there is a strong sense of entitlement trying to dictate what's good, bad and right. People try to work as judges. Sometimes doing the right thing involves justice and most people don't like justice when it involves them. Right now on FB and forums in my country most people are expressing their beliefs that companies should/must help people with money, and convinced by the idea of having a business means you have resources to endure the situation and still help others because you have lots of money. Many companies can't afford to pay salaries right now as their work is banned or limited depending the case.

I also happen to know a few who have need for money, are in debt, have no work to do due to the limitations, and... expect to be helped... BUT... it so happens those few are in debt because they wanted to travel to Europe and so they did, while their homes are still falling apart, but they were never interested on fixing anything. They say you only live once.

This sort of discussions in my opinion are GOOD, but it's sad when people manifest entitlement, I'm talking about this thread under the light of the expressions in my country. My words have nothing to do with a direct implication of the original post, I'm talking the topic + my country at least.


For reference, doing the right thing it's not a one way thing (businesses). Doing the right thing involves us all, and it's a two way, or a multi-way thing. I mentioned on another forum how a dying company had a very kind owner who put himself on the line to pay the expenses, while people were only expected to get paid, and still make a terrible job. There... only two offered themselves to work for free to help keeping the company alive, I was one of those two. In my country there is a saying: people in need often kill the cow, most people would RARELY feed the cow, meaning most people when in need... don't take care of those who take care of them, instead they consume them and kill them.

What I learned doing social work, and taught with sticks and stones by professionals so those concepts could enter my head was... not kind, not pretty, but can't deny it's on books because it's true. Same as all the literature I devoured regarding survival and rescue. People can be nasty, terrible, and in times like this some can be nice, but some can be even more terrible tearing apart those who can actually survive. When people talk about "doing the right thing" it sounds so nice, but the first thing I do is ask them what they mean by that, second thing is if they would do what they mention... most times the right thing is something others should do... imagine that. Again, no reference to the OP except quoting the words, nothing personal here.

[tangor]

Do the Right Thing falls into that category of ...

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

.... and therein ensues the utter futility of defining which Right as regards what Wrong?

Sadly, this is a no win situation because I'm pretty dang sure that my Doing Right will be some body else's "that's doing wrong!"

[tangor]

So ... do the right thing as it relates to you. What else can you do?

[explorador]

The usual problem are the false dichotomies, two mutually exclusive exhaustive alternatives. And even more common in these scenarios: just one alternative. This would be like it's not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. But again it's very common in times like these, people focus on companies, the government or celebrities, those who in their eyes have resources or power.

The false dichotomies cover pretty much the supposed rights that are actually wrong. Back to the original post, in order for something to be done right and be not only acknowledged but also remembered, the right thing must be done and people must have the maturity to understand it.

What if the right thing to do and benefit many, is firing a few? you among them? Years ago severe storms hurt the region and several companies had to close their doors letting everyone go, many got in huge debts as some of the contracts meant they had to cover extra expenses while letting people go, usually one salary per worked year + 2 in total. The company I used to work at the time was one of those. I was one of those being fired, and as they said a few times: I was the best one at my job there. Sure, it made no difference, they could keep someone slower, after all there wasn't that much work during the crisis.

So a few of us were fired, I was shocked and one guy in particular was quite upset and got a lawyer to deal with his case. That same day someone said "did you notice only the single ones were fired? they kept everyone who is married". I wasn't happy but I was able to understand the crisis, so understanding this other thing wasn't difficult, it was obvious what they did. So they let us go with paid benefits (a nice sum of money while the company was still struggling, but that was cheaper than keeping us there). Who says a married person has more rights than us? specially if they are not good at their work? Till this day I had no problem dealing with what happened, but that's me. Then I was offered 3 years later a new position back at the company, I declined for a variety of reasons but they remain in my eyes as one of the best places I ever worked, but others disagree.

Sometimes doing the right thing means favoring the most vulnerable, I have devoured lots of literature about that due to my background in survival and rescue (I just had to read all of that). Sadly in some circumstances the stronger one is punished in times of crisis, forced to share reserves and resources with the others, sometimes that person is asked, sometimes is attacked. Hungry people and people in debt can be quite dangerous sometimes. I have watched several videos of people giving food and stuff to poor people on the streets and most of those times we discuss this with my wife, many times what happens is people won't even stand up... will remain where they are expecting others to come to them, some... won't even say thanks. All of that I experienced during my years doing social work/help, and then we were helped and trained by professionals who work in the area. One of the rules was asking people to do something, never to give something absolutely for free. IT could be something as easy as cleaning something, or to come to us... instead of us waking the full 5km to reach them, sometimes they just had to walk 100m... it's amazing.

Among several people I know, during this crisis, they are already putting their needs and rights above other people... and they are not poor, and they are not uneducated, they just have this mentality of "me first, companies can deal with this", that's not true. I said people I know, I didn't say friends.

There is a film titled American Factory, that covers interesting topics, including the demands of workers without wanting to walk an extra mile, while other cultures are in fact grateful, it's a different mentality. The point of mentioning that film is... the fact that sometimes a company is going down, yes, but people instead of helping to preserve that giant who used to feed them, want to tear it to pieces and burn it in order to have just one night of warm fire.

In that regard... there is a difference between people who have always have been employees, and people who at least one time had a business. It's not only about administrative experience, it's about long term mentality... but most people don't have that.

tangor: So ... do the right thing as it relates to you. What else can you do?

A lot of people underestimate the power of one. And that itself weakens everything.