How far a boss can ethically become involved in an
employee’s political role as a
citizen is a question perhaps more important than whether a business should
make demands regarding what an employee does in the privacy of his or her own
home (e.g., smoking or drinking products that are legal). It would obviously be
objected, for example, were a supervisor to insist on accompanying a
subordinate into the voting booth to verify the vote. What about pressuring an
employee to lobby as a private citizen in
the company’s interest without being paid
for that work? Is it even work when it is “voluntarily” done on
“off-time”? Finally, would it make a difference if the issue held systemic
importance—meaning if it were vital to the country itself or at least the
economic system—and the particular stance being advocated by the boss had value
in solving the systemic problem (i.e., not just in the company’s interest)?
Federal U.S. deficits as a percentage of GDP from 1792 (2012-2016 projected). Notice that the projections take the deficits down from 2008-2010 levels. Notice also 1960-2010 as differing significantly from the "episodic" pattern in the 1792-1930 period. Why?
Sources:
Damian Paletta and Kristina Peterson, “CEOs
Flock to Capital to Avert ‘Cliff,” The
Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2012.
Christina Wilkie, “’Fix
The Debt’ CEOs Underfund Employee Retirement, Demand Cuts For Elderly,” The
Huffington Post, November 27, 2012.
Ethan Rome, “Goldman
Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein Wants Seniors to Get Less,” The Huffington Post,
November 27, 2012.
