Here's another perspective on the story, exploring whether Apple is really exploiting its employees or just taking advantage of the capitalistic system, as well as how Apple's reaction is just another indicator of its not too successful 'little dutch boy' CSR strategy.
I was at a One to One workshop the other day and ended up talking with the instructor. He said he has been with Apple for over 5 years and loves it. He also talked freely about the opportunity he had to purchase Apple stock at a 10 to 15% discount, which he has been doing, and also the great health care plan and 401K plan that Apple offered to employees. Sounds like the total compensation package is pretty good. Particularly for retail folks.
As far as sales/retail store employee, the numbers are amazing as are the inventory turn over numbers and outstanding accounts receivable numbers and sales/square foot numbers. IMO it all goes to a combination of great products, great management, great employees and the team spirit. I don't think you can put your finger on any one particular piece of the equation and give all the credit to that single element.
Thank you SJ wherever you are! You made life better.
Apple's retail stores supply 30,000 entry-level employment opportunities, primarily for America's youth. The pay is "commensurate with responsibility" and includes excellent benefits. What value does the New York Times bring to this country?
Apple's retail stores supply 30,000 entry-level employment opportunities, primarily for America's youth. The pay is "commensurate with responsibility" and includes excellent benefits. What value does the New York Times bring to this country?
When you work for a company you are invested In the company and one should benefit from that.
Well said. Just because they don't have stock does not mean the average employee should not get some benefit other than market rate employment. It looks like Apple is 'recently' addressing that commensurate with their success... Good for Apple. Steve Jobs probably would not be happy with this. He agreed with most of the ops here.., employees other than the 'A' players are just commodities. I understand that thinking, just do not totally agree.
Well said. Just because they don't have stock does not mean the average employee should not get some benefit other than market rate employment. It looks like Apple is 'recently' addressing that commensurate with their success... Good for Apple. Steve Jobs probably would not be happy with this. He agreed with most of the ops here.., employees other than the 'A' players are just commodities. I understand that thinking, just do not totally agree.
By what right should employees get some benefit other than employment? And who defines what is sufficient?
The only reasonable way to define it is to let the market decide what a job is worth. Apple does that - and also offers very attractive benefits on top of that. What gives you the right to demand that they take money away from their shareholders and give it to their employees?
Furthermore, where do you draw the line? Should they also pay their lawyers more than the market rate because they have lots of money? Maybe they should pay Foxconn an extra 20% just because they have lots of money. Or maybe add a 10% bonus to their taxes.
In the end, it's a negotiated agreement between Apple and the employees and everyone else should keep their noses out of it (other than if they were violating the law, of course). Apple pays what they need to pay to get the employees they want. If they want better employees, they pay more (or offer improved benefits). If the employee thinks they're not paying enough, then don't take the job.
Oh really. The stock holders at Apple sit around and don't do jack sh** but the top stock holders are raking in the cash while sitting at home drinking a martini.
The retail staff should be paid more because they are the public face of the company.
Thanks for putting that troll in his place. Apple has some the best products on the market that fu***** work as advertised.
One critic even believed that Apple made their stuff too good.
Hell, just look at the refresh rate of their products. Once a year or more for a major redesign? That is unheard of. But the nasty pc guys have to drop new shi*every week because they are under pressure form M$ to get new machines out so a fresh batch of licensing money can drop into their bank account.
The NYT are a bunch of whiny b1tches. Are the workers getting more than minimum wage? yes. So it's still retail. who cares if Apple has large profits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to swipe a credit card and give the customer a product. The Geniuses should be paid higher than retail but are they competitive with say the Geek Squad or those support folks at big box retail?. If they don't like their pay, quit and find another job. I hear MS is higher for their stores.
The Grey Lady needs to get off her high horse and realize Apple created 30000+ retail jobs worldwide in 10 years.
The dumbest thing in the article is the comparison to AT&T and Verizon stores. The salespeople make a lot of commission in those stores because they're paid by the manufacturers to lie to customers. If you go to an Apple Store, you at least know they're going to be biased. If you go to an AT&T or Verizon store, you might be under the illusion that they're going to recommend something based on merit, when in fact the staff is being paid to recommend a particular product by the manufacturer (or by Microsoft in the case of WP7 phones). The stores are even set up so you have to go through the staff instead of being free to make your own decision for this very reason. The whole thing is an exercise in misleading the customer.
Don't you just love freedom of speech? It's great to live in America where the opportunities are limitless. I am retired now, but 39 years ago I bagged groceries and delivered them to customers' vehicles for tips. My goal was to accomplish at least 4 carryouts per hour and earn at least 50 cents per tip. Access to this job was first-come, first-serve. You had to "sign up" each day at 6:00 a.m. for the chance to be 1 of 35 baggers. On evenings prior to the workday, some prospects would "camp out" to secure their place in line, as well as the privilege of earning about $2/hour. Sometimes, you could make $20 in a day, put gas in your tank at 30 cents a gallon (if you even had a car), and go to the gym and shoot some hoops. At night, I would ride my bicycle to the local sports bar, toss a few, play some pool or foosball, then meander home. I can still picture the faces of coworkers to this day--laughing, joking, smiling. It was the best of times, but I knew that I could do better and eventually did.
Good luck to all those who are employed the Apple Store or elsewhere in America. If you're still there, that's your decision. If young, you are gaining experience and learning responsibility. If older, I'm sure you have interesting stories to tell. We all have choices to make and that's what is really great about freedom. By the way, make any and all sacrifices to get an education. It really helps.
Comments
Here's another perspective on the story, exploring whether Apple is really exploiting its employees or just taking advantage of the capitalistic system, as well as how Apple's reaction is just another indicator of its not too successful 'little dutch boy' CSR strategy.
The New McJobs – Is Apple Exploiting Its Store Employees? http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/06/new-mcjobs-apple-exploiting-store-employees/
Apple is a good company to work for. The media just likes to amplify everything out of proportion.Human nature can never be satisfied.
I was at a One to One workshop the other day and ended up talking with the instructor. He said he has been with Apple for over 5 years and loves it. He also talked freely about the opportunity he had to purchase Apple stock at a 10 to 15% discount, which he has been doing, and also the great health care plan and 401K plan that Apple offered to employees. Sounds like the total compensation package is pretty good. Particularly for retail folks.
As far as sales/retail store employee, the numbers are amazing as are the inventory turn over numbers and outstanding accounts receivable numbers and sales/square foot numbers. IMO it all goes to a combination of great products, great management, great employees and the team spirit. I don't think you can put your finger on any one particular piece of the equation and give all the credit to that single element.
Thank you SJ wherever you are! You made life better.
i lost all respect for the nyt after they let bush off the hook. talk about a bunch of pussies.
nyt is nothing but a glorified national enquirer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mac_dog
i lost all respect for the nyt after they let bush off the hook. talk about a bunch of pussies.
nyt is nothing but a glorified national enquirer.
+1
Apple's retail stores supply 30,000 entry-level employment opportunities, primarily for America's youth. The pay is "commensurate with responsibility" and includes excellent benefits. What value does the New York Times bring to this country?
10 million bird cages couldn't do without it.
Here in Austin where we have two Apple stores there is a mile long line of people wanting to
work at one of the retail stores. My next door neighbor's son worked at one of them. He **loved
working there (Barton Creek Mall) and according to him everybody did. Whenever I go to
either retail store in Austin the feel of the place seems like employees are very glad to be
there.
I was an Apple employee in Education sales for eight years and know first hand the wonderful
benefits employees get. Something that should be pointed out in this thread is the employee stock
purchase plan. Every 6 months Apple employees have the option of enrolling (or not). It's a no
brainer and if a person doesn't take advantage of it then that's their choice. There is absolutely
no reason for Apple to pay people a high premium just because the company is making record
profits. It's not a charity it's a company that has to answer to stock holders that expect to
hopefully get a gain on the investment they make.
Well said. Just because they don't have stock does not mean the average employee should not get some benefit other than market rate employment. It looks like Apple is 'recently' addressing that commensurate with their success... Good for Apple. Steve Jobs probably would not be happy with this. He agreed with most of the ops here.., employees other than the 'A' players are just commodities. I understand that thinking, just do not totally agree.
By what right should employees get some benefit other than employment? And who defines what is sufficient?
The only reasonable way to define it is to let the market decide what a job is worth. Apple does that - and also offers very attractive benefits on top of that. What gives you the right to demand that they take money away from their shareholders and give it to their employees?
Furthermore, where do you draw the line? Should they also pay their lawyers more than the market rate because they have lots of money? Maybe they should pay Foxconn an extra 20% just because they have lots of money. Or maybe add a 10% bonus to their taxes.
In the end, it's a negotiated agreement between Apple and the employees and everyone else should keep their noses out of it (other than if they were violating the law, of course). Apple pays what they need to pay to get the employees they want. If they want better employees, they pay more (or offer improved benefits). If the employee thinks they're not paying enough, then don't take the job.
Uh . . . it's RETAIL.
Am I missing something here?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jragosta
10 million bird cages couldn't do without it.
This post made my day.
Oh really. The stock holders at Apple sit around and don't do jack sh** but the top stock holders are raking in the cash while sitting at home drinking a martini.
The retail staff should be paid more because they are the public face of the company.
Thanks for putting that troll in his place. Apple has some the best products on the market that fu***** work as advertised.
One critic even believed that Apple made their stuff too good.
Hell, just look at the refresh rate of their products. Once a year or more for a major redesign? That is unheard of. But the nasty pc guys have to drop new shi*every week because they are under pressure form M$ to get new machines out so a fresh batch of licensing money can drop into their bank account.
The NYT are a bunch of whiny b1tches. Are the workers getting more than minimum wage? yes. So it's still retail. who cares if Apple has large profits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to swipe a credit card and give the customer a product. The Geniuses should be paid higher than retail but are they competitive with say the Geek Squad or those support folks at big box retail?. If they don't like their pay, quit and find another job. I hear MS is higher for their stores.
The Grey Lady needs to get off her high horse and realize Apple created 30000+ retail jobs worldwide in 10 years.
The dumbest thing in the article is the comparison to AT&T and Verizon stores. The salespeople make a lot of commission in those stores because they're paid by the manufacturers to lie to customers. If you go to an Apple Store, you at least know they're going to be biased. If you go to an AT&T or Verizon store, you might be under the illusion that they're going to recommend something based on merit, when in fact the staff is being paid to recommend a particular product by the manufacturer (or by Microsoft in the case of WP7 phones). The stores are even set up so you have to go through the staff instead of being free to make your own decision for this very reason. The whole thing is an exercise in misleading the customer.
Don't you just love freedom of speech? It's great to live in America where the opportunities are limitless. I am retired now, but 39 years ago I bagged groceries and delivered them to customers' vehicles for tips. My goal was to accomplish at least 4 carryouts per hour and earn at least 50 cents per tip. Access to this job was first-come, first-serve. You had to "sign up" each day at 6:00 a.m. for the chance to be 1 of 35 baggers. On evenings prior to the workday, some prospects would "camp out" to secure their place in line, as well as the privilege of earning about $2/hour. Sometimes, you could make $20 in a day, put gas in your tank at 30 cents a gallon (if you even had a car), and go to the gym and shoot some hoops. At night, I would ride my bicycle to the local sports bar, toss a few, play some pool or foosball, then meander home. I can still picture the faces of coworkers to this day--laughing, joking, smiling. It was the best of times, but I knew that I could do better and eventually did.
Good luck to all those who are employed the Apple Store or elsewhere in America. If you're still there, that's your decision. If young, you are gaining experience and learning responsibility. If older, I'm sure you have interesting stories to tell. We all have choices to make and that's what is really great about freedom. By the way, make any and all sacrifices to get an education. It really helps.