Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Money talks - or does it?

by Debbie

Recent reports about public sector pay have been a hot topic in the Ethos public relations office. As leader of the entire country should the Prime Minister (PM) get more money than say the leader of a large council? I think so yes. It would seem that whatever the challenges faced by any council leader they are surely magnified many times over by the leader of the country. Plus the latter also has to make life and death decisions. Not problems likely to keep the council leader awake at night.

Now then - should leaders in the private sector get more than the PM? In theory yes, I think private business leaders should be paid what they are worth - but sadly, it seems to me, private sector leaders are often over paid. How many have made appalling mistakes and misjudgements only to be paid off with massive pensions, bonuses and golden handshakes? That makes my blood boil.

However, the fact is we live in a democracy and I would not be happy living in a country where government dictates how much people, particularly in the private sector, are paid. That's not very democratic.

It would be so refreshing to see somebody become Chief Executive of UK Company PLC and say, “I'm going to take a modest salary but if I meet my targets like increasing company profitability and creating new jobs I am going to get a very nice bonus. If however, I lose the company millions I will walk away without a bonus, hang my head in shame and do community service for the next five years.”

If you do come across anybody like this – can you let me know? I’d love to meet her.

Posted at 2:31pm on 20^th September 2010