Is this shit common? Work related

pdh2008

I work for a big publicly traded company in the financial services industry.

Every quarter all employees must watch a video of the CEO detailing how we're doing as a company. In the most recent video, he reminded everyone that elections are on the horizon and to vote for the candidates who support business practices favorable for our company. No candidate names were mentioned, but we're all over the country, so that wouldn't really be possible.

WTF.... Thanks for telling me where I should place my priorities when selecting the candidates I support.

Is this common in big business? I've worked at the same job for over a decade, but we've been acquired a few times during my tenure. We're now part of a parent company that is at least 10x as big as my subsidiary has ever been.

jesuisfatiguee

That would irritate the hell out of me. I would have trouble keeping my mouth shut. 

bearfootz

luxannie said:

It's crappy, but business interests pay my mortgage so I usually keep quiet and vote the way I want to vote.

Yep, this exactly.  They don't usually name names - although they do invite certain candidates to events.  They send out emails reminding us to register to vote, and to get to the polls on election day.
I don't discuss politics at work.

sleepy33

Barf.

chevronseven

That would irritate me too, but I can see why they would do it. Schools do the same sort of thing; encouraging teachers to vote for candidates who prioritize education. It's not like they can make you though.

Rogue Lily

Yes.

pdh2008

I was so pissed when it was brought up. I think I'm even more disgusted by how popular this is.

SpaceGirlSpiff

Eh.  Not surprising...nothing to cause an uproar over though.... people tell people how they should vote all the time, either formally or not so formally...

They wont be there in the voting booth with you.

vandelay

My company did this before the 2008 election.  It really pissed me off, and I certainly didn't vote the way the company was suggesting.  They also encourage us to contribute to a PAC that contributes to political campaigns, although I've never contributed and I've never gotten any flak for it.

KatWAG

I work in Government Affairs for a large publicly traded company in financial services. So its my job to encourage the CEO to make such a statement and also to try and get employees to give money to our PAC so that we (the company) we support candidates that are "pro- financial services"

So yes, its very common. I assume if your financial services company is anything like mine,  the CEOs point was, if you want your industry to survive then you need legislators who will fight for it. Otherwise, the industry will be regulated to death.

Mags748

The owner of my previous company did that. She also reimbursed for private insurance because the company policy sucked and was really expensive, but she refused to reimburse for "Obama care" because she didn't believe in it. A couple of my coworkers had to pay more for insurance because of that. Just one of the reasons I am no longer there.

Maebb

Yes, my company does this and also has a big campaign encouraging employees to donate to a PAC. They also have Fox News blaring in the breakroom. Bleh.

2chatter

It happens where I work too, along with emails when there are big partisan issues on the horizon. Those always remind me of poorly reported news - the bias is the story.

Manateearmz

It's gross, but yes it happens.

bearfootz

My former employer used to put up huge signs on company grounds supporting their candidates.  I think that drives away potential customers though as I have a hard time spending my money somewhere if I think it's going to end up as a political contribution to a candidate that I strongly oppose.

ridesbuttons

I think considering how your job factors in to federal elections should be a consideration when placing your "X" on the ballot.

How is this confusing??