Rewards for Crappy Performance: Apply today!

The big economic story the last few days is that AIG executives are getting $165 million in bonuses of bailout money. Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, earlier Monday charged that the move to pay bonuses amounted to “rewarding incompetence.”

I couldn’t agree with that sentiment more.

But my questions is, who are these executives? Do they think they deserve a bonus, whether it was contracted or not?

I am not sure that if I was in that position I could consciencely allow myself to take any type of “reward” for doing such a poor job, be it myself or the company that I worked for.

I would say:
“You know, this corporate retreat may not be such a good idea after all, considering recent events.”
“We may have to decline are corporate sponsorship of your event in lieu of recent financial difficulties.”
“I am going to have to pass of that multi-million dollar “taxpayer money” bonus.”

Yeah, I know, easier said than done on many levels, but really. Who are these people?

Life changes, things come up and we have to adjust to fit new demands. You cannot expect to continue on the same old course, you must make way for the new way as necessary.

This is true in everyday events as much as in this AIG example.

You are running late to work, you may have to skip that usually stop at Starbucks this morning – same thing.

Could you take the bonus?