SAIA | Reality Check

magic423

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I’m a LH driver in Orlando and have been with SAIA for over 7 years. In seniority I am 2nd from the bottom, and I’m very, very worried about the possibility of being laid off. So understand that what is about to be said is NOT coming from a senior driver that has nothing to worry about.

I find it amazing and perplexing the mindset and perspective some (not all, but some) have regarding their employment, and perhaps it is time someone spoke the cold, hard truth. I have been a business owner and employer for many years, as well as being an employee. So I have personal experience with being on both sides of the desk. There are just a few facts that we all need to realize and accept. Better stated, there are a few misconceptions that should be corrected.


1. My Company Owes Me

Some people have the erroneous notion that the employer owes employment to the employee. Well let me set the record straight... your employer owes you nothing. Once your company pays you for the work you have performed, the employer has no further obligation, legally or morally.

Your company, be that SAIA or any other company, is not obligated to continue employment with you, even tomorrow. If you have a job tomorrow, it is because the company has offered that job to you. Each day you are given work is a privilege, NOT an obligation.

Some may say, “Well I’ve given ABC company X years of loyalty... and they owe me.”

Wrong. You may have given whatever period of time of work and they, in turn, have compensated you for every moment of that service. You do not owe the company, and they do not owe you. SAIA, nor any other company or employer, has negotiated loyalty as part of the terms of employment. If you found a better job, would you leave the company?

Of course you would. And you would have every legal and moral right to do so.

And that works both ways. If you are not obligated to remain with your company, neither is your company obligated to keep you.


2. My Company Doesn’t Care About The Employees

That is probably true. But guess what, they shouldn’t.

No company has an “Employee Care” department. The company is not your friend, mother or caregiver. The relationship between the employer and employee is a BUSINESS relationship, not a personal one.

The interest and value of the employee is only viewed in terms of how that employee will benefit the company. And that’s exactly how it should be. This is another concept where some want to have the situation just one way or one sided.

Do you “care” enough about the company to work for free? Of course not. You want to be compensated for your work. You want the relationship to be all business when you deal with the company. Well it is time to wake up and realize that it is only fair for the relationship to be strictly business when the company deals with you as well.

You go to work for one reason: to be compensated for your efforts. Likewise, the company allows you to come to work for one reason: to benefit the company. It is purely a business arrangement. It is silly, even arrogant to expect an employer to make business decisions based upon assumed (and erroneous) personal feelings.


3. They Weren’t Fair

Welcome to life, it isn’t fair. You may think a business decision isn’t fair, but you have no real right to make such a judgment. I’m probably like you in that I believe it would be a better business decision to decide those affected by lay offs to be based on performance rather than seniority.

But here’s the hard, cold truth...

The person in charge has the legal and moral right to run a company ANY WAY he/she sees fit. As someone that has owned several businesses I can tell you that no one could or would ever instruct me on how to run my business. I’m in charge and I’ll do it the way I believe is best. And I will be the one that will be rewarded or penalized for my decisions.

If you think you can make better business decisions, start your own business or work your way into top management where you can make those decisions.

When you accept employment, and each day you continue that employment, you agree to accept and abide by the decisions of those over you. If you don’t like those decisions, terminate your employment. But stop whining about “fair” and “unfair”, remember your employer doesn’t owe you anything... including your perception of fairness.


Like many, I’m on pins and needles about the very real possibility of being laid off. I am by no means safe. But even if I am, I will have no hard feelings towards SAIA. I have always greatly appreciated my job and have done my best in my work; it is a privilege to work. I feel very bad for anyone that has and will lose a job. But don’t let that loss cloud your mind and have the wrong perspective about what employment is really all about. Be grateful to any employer and for any term of employment. Always remember, no employer is required to offer you employment... or continue it.
 
Hear, Hear! I think the Obama mentality has rubbed off on too many people.

Now, on the other side, a lot of people are scared about losing their jobs, and the choices the company has made at the closing months of the 4th quarter aren't very comforting either.

Finally, I believe that too many people, speaking in general terms, live their lives as if nothing bad will ever happen to them and fail to prepare themselves physically, spiritually, or financially.

I would encourage my fellow employees to do what they can to prepare themselves. I, for one, have been putting an emphasis on debt reduction, learning to live on less than I make, learning to make others a priority, and trying to change just a few things that will serve me well in the future. I haven't conquered those mountains yet, but I'm getting there.
 
I’m a LH driver in Orlando and have been with SAIA for over 7 years. In seniority I am 2nd from the bottom, and I’m very, very worried about the possibility of being laid off. So understand that what is about to be said is NOT coming from a senior driver that has nothing to worry about.

I find it amazing and perplexing the mindset and perspective some (not all, but some) have regarding their employment, and perhaps it is time someone spoke the cold, hard truth. I have been a business owner and employer for many years, as well as being an employee. So I have personal experience with being on both sides of the desk. There are just a few facts that we all need to realize and accept. Better stated, there are a few misconceptions that should be corrected.


1. My Company Owes Me

Some people have the erroneous notion that the employer owes employment to the employee. Well let me set the record straight... your employer owes you nothing. Once your company pays you for the work you have performed, the employer has no further obligation, legally or morally.

Your company, be that SAIA or any other company, is not obligated to continue employment with you, even tomorrow. If you have a job tomorrow, it is because the company has offered that job to you. Each day you are given work is a privilege, NOT an obligation.

Some may say, “Well I’ve given ABC company X years of loyalty... and they owe me.”

Wrong. You may have given whatever period of time of work and they, in turn, have compensated you for every moment of that service. You do not owe the company, and they do not owe you. SAIA, nor any other company or employer, has negotiated loyalty as part of the terms of employment. If you found a better job, would you leave the company?

Of course you would. And you would have every legal and moral right to do so.

And that works both ways. If you are not obligated to remain with your company, neither is your company obligated to keep you.


2. My Company Doesn’t Care About The Employees

That is probably true. But guess what, they shouldn’t.

No company has an “Employee Care” department. The company is not your friend, mother or caregiver. The relationship between the employer and employee is a BUSINESS relationship, not a personal one.

The interest and value of the employee is only viewed in terms of how that employee will benefit the company. And that’s exactly how it should be. This is another concept where some want to have the situation just one way or one sided.

Do you “care” enough about the company to work for free? Of course not. You want to be compensated for your work. You want the relationship to be all business when you deal with the company. Well it is time to wake up and realize that it is only fair for the relationship to be strictly business when the company deals with you as well.

You go to work for one reason: to be compensated for your efforts. Likewise, the company allows you to come to work for one reason: to benefit the company. It is purely a business arrangement. It is silly, even arrogant to expect an employer to make business decisions based upon assumed (and erroneous) personal feelings.


3. They Weren’t Fair

Welcome to life, it isn’t fair. You may think a business decision isn’t fair, but you have no real right to make such a judgment. I’m probably like you in that I believe it would be a better business decision to decide those affected by lay offs to be based on performance rather than seniority.

But here’s the hard, cold truth...

The person in charge has the legal and moral right to run a company ANY WAY he/she sees fit. As someone that has owned several businesses I can tell you that no one could or would ever instruct me on how to run my business. I’m in charge and I’ll do it the way I believe is best. And I will be the one that will be rewarded or penalized for my decisions.

If you think you can make better business decisions, start your own business or work your way into top management where you can make those decisions.

When you accept employment, and each day you continue that employment, you agree to accept and abide by the decisions of those over you. If you don’t like those decisions, terminate your employment. But stop whining about “fair” and “unfair”, remember your employer doesn’t owe you anything... including your perception of fairness.


Like many, I’m on pins and needles about the very real possibility of being laid off. I am by no means safe. But even if I am, I will have no hard feelings towards SAIA. I have always greatly appreciated my job and have done my best in my work; it is a privilege to work. I feel very bad for anyone that has and will lose a job. But don’t let that loss cloud your mind and have the wrong perspective about what employment is really all about. Be grateful to any employer and for any term of employment. Always remember, no employer is required to offer you employment... or continue it.

What kinda crap is that.Where have you been lately,DISNEY WORLD?This is the country of you owe me,global warming,socialism,illegals,affirmitave action,anti-gun[except for criminals],free health care,diversity,gay rights,abortion on demand[choice...unless she wants to sell a little beaver],You've got to get with the program.You'll never get the nobel that way.If they lay us all off,screw it.I think we can get almost 2 years of unemployment plus I will sign up for every welfare program available[get some of my tax dollars back] then try to work under the table when I can.B Trucker is right,get your debt down as much as you can so you can make it in the Marxist world we now live in.BTW;any of you going to the KCY yard,watch out for thieves and lowlifes.It aint safe after dark.
 
Well.....I think what he said is true. But, we have the right to ***** about it as well. I enjoy my job, but do not always agree what goes on here. Yes, the owners and management can run the company and do what the want as long as it's legal. But, that does not mean we have to like it, and it also does not mean we have to just grin and bear it. That's one of the reasons for Truckingboards.
 
I have been a business owner and employer for many years,

with this mind set i can see why you are no longer a business owner, no way you could keep a employee for very long. if the company owes you nothing then you owe the company nothing in return. if you don't show your employee's respect the don't expect to get any in return.

I'm number 3 from the bottom of the L/H board at my terminal, if i get laid off then so be it, just do it fairly and i don't care if it is by seniority or job performance so long as it is not the buddy system. The company does owe me that. you need to put the koolaid down and go have a beer
 
Lets start a survey, what is your favorite drink?
:beerchug:

32 oz beer from Quaker Steak. It comes out in a frosty mug and is so cold, the top of the beer is frozen. As far as liquor goes.....I would say either Southern Comfort straight up, or SoCo and Mt. Dew. Of course Malibu and Coke is pretty good too.....go ahead and make fun of me for that one.
 
i will be surprised if our terminal is open next week. since they let our tm go its been done hill. not looking good for us thats for sure.
 
I’m a LH driver in Orlando and have been with SAIA for over 7 years. In seniority I am 2nd from the bottom, and I’m very, very worried about the possibility of being laid off. So understand that what is about to be said is NOT coming from a senior driver that has nothing to worry about.

I find it amazing and perplexing the mindset and perspective some (not all, but some) have regarding their employment, and perhaps it is time someone spoke the cold, hard truth. I have been a business owner and employer for many years, as well as being an employee. So I have personal experience with being on both sides of the desk. There are just a few facts that we all need to realize and accept. Better stated, there are a few misconceptions that should be corrected.


1. My Company Owes Me

Some people have the erroneous notion that the employer owes employment to the employee. Well let me set the record straight... your employer owes you nothing. Once your company pays you for the work you have performed, the employer has no further obligation, legally or morally.

Your company, be that SAIA or any other company, is not obligated to continue employment with you, even tomorrow. If you have a job tomorrow, it is because the company has offered that job to you. Each day you are given work is a privilege, NOT an obligation.

Some may say, “Well I’ve given ABC company X years of loyalty... and they owe me.”

Wrong. You may have given whatever period of time of work and they, in turn, have compensated you for every moment of that service. You do not owe the company, and they do not owe you. SAIA, nor any other company or employer, has negotiated loyalty as part of the terms of employment. If you found a better job, would you leave the company?

Of course you would. And you would have every legal and moral right to do so.

And that works both ways. If you are not obligated to remain with your company, neither is your company obligated to keep you.


2. My Company Doesn’t Care About The Employees

That is probably true. But guess what, they shouldn’t.

No company has an “Employee Care” department. The company is not your friend, mother or caregiver. The relationship between the employer and employee is a BUSINESS relationship, not a personal one.

The interest and value of the employee is only viewed in terms of how that employee will benefit the company. And that’s exactly how it should be. This is another concept where some want to have the situation just one way or one sided.

Do you “care” enough about the company to work for free? Of course not. You want to be compensated for your work. You want the relationship to be all business when you deal with the company. Well it is time to wake up and realize that it is only fair for the relationship to be strictly business when the company deals with you as well.

You go to work for one reason: to be compensated for your efforts. Likewise, the company allows you to come to work for one reason: to benefit the company. It is purely a business arrangement. It is silly, even arrogant to expect an employer to make business decisions based upon assumed (and erroneous) personal feelings.


3. They Weren’t Fair

Welcome to life, it isn’t fair. You may think a business decision isn’t fair, but you have no real right to make such a judgment. I’m probably like you in that I believe it would be a better business decision to decide those affected by lay offs to be based on performance rather than seniority.

But here’s the hard, cold truth...

The person in charge has the legal and moral right to run a company ANY WAY he/she sees fit. As someone that has owned several businesses I can tell you that no one could or would ever instruct me on how to run my business. I’m in charge and I’ll do it the way I believe is best. And I will be the one that will be rewarded or penalized for my decisions.

If you think you can make better business decisions, start your own business or work your way into top management where you can make those decisions.

When you accept employment, and each day you continue that employment, you agree to accept and abide by the decisions of those over you. If you don’t like those decisions, terminate your employment. But stop whining about “fair” and “unfair”, remember your employer doesn’t owe you anything... including your perception of fairness.


Like many, I’m on pins and needles about the very real possibility of being laid off. I am by no means safe. But even if I am, I will have no hard feelings towards SAIA. I have always greatly appreciated my job and have done my best in my work; it is a privilege to work. I feel very bad for anyone that has and will lose a job. But don’t let that loss cloud your mind and have the wrong perspective about what employment is really all about. Be grateful to any employer and for any term of employment. Always remember, no employer is required to offer you employment... or continue it.

while your argument makes sense, they one problem i see is any company or group of employees that act the way you describe are not destined for long term success. employees are usually a companies greatest asset. employees that aren't concerned with the companies success are destined to be always looking for new jobs. i also work in orlando but for a competitor.
 
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