"Can't we develop at least one product that isn't used to kill people?"

School is over, for now.  It will be back.  But it's over...for now.  Consequentially I've got a ridiculous amount of free time for blogging, expect at least...two new posts in the next three to four months.

Work has been going well.  In lieu of a lengthy description of my daily responsibilities I'll suffice it to say that I am Ted from "Better Off Ted" in a company with non-evil management and a boss less bent on world domination.  A large transaction (over 100 miiiiillliioonn dollars) is set to close this week.  This is exciting.  More than exciting, however, is the monetary employee compensation which accompanies such a large transaction. 

/Begin Middle Management Rant

Since I only recently joined the company I find myself in the unfortunate position of a stockless spectator as this large transaction closes (boo).  On the upside, my position has provided me an excellent vantage point from which to observe an interesting phenomenon.  A large number of employees, having a significant number of stock options, are presented the opportunity to cash those options in for money.  In the business world this is generally thought of as a "good thing" (for the non-business savvy amongst my readers most things which result in more money in one's pocket usually fall into this category at least for us business types).

Interestingly, however, this sudden influx of cash has not been universally greeted with joy and laughter-making.  Instead, quite a bit of griping has resulted.  How can this be, you ask? Two words: full disclosure.  In most (all?) stock transactions of any size all stockholders must be notified of the size and scope of the pending transaction.  Consequentially all of the participating employees are shown what every one else is to receive. 

Frank isn't making as much as Ted even though Frank is waaaaay more productive (at least in his own mind).  Ted's irritated because he has two more years of work experience but is receiving only twice as much as Fred, iterate ad infinium. To hear some talk you'd think they'd been slapped with $400 speeding ticket of some sort instead of a healthy bonus.  What was wonderful cash compensation only days ago has become an intricate conspiracy reaching to the top tiers of management to defraud hardworking employees out of their rightful rewards.  C.S. Lewis pointed out that pride does not get pleasure from having something, only in having more of something than someone else.  Its twin sister Envy then, has no displeasure in having something, only in having less of something than someone else.

The moral as I see it is simply this:  The initial decision regarding the "fairness" of something should be made in a vacuum (inasmuch as that is possible).  Weigh the pro's and con's on a personal scale without regard to others.  Next, memorialize the decision in some way: write down the conclusion, tell a spouse,etc.  Later, once the inevitable urge to compare has arrived and you're absolutely sure the only reason Betsy is getting more than you is because the boss likes the pink bow Betsy wears to work every day, return to that initial decision and realize that though that may be true your end of the deal is still equitable.

/End Middle Management Rant