Today’s market requirements have changed drastically

As a retired chief executive officer who has nothing to lose, I believe it's time to offer some candid explanations for what's happening at “ground level” with declining U.S. employment levels.

Many companies have been “carrying” marginal employees as long as the economy supported their employment. These were people who bore the brunt of responsibility for taking care of “drudge” type problems during the business day. When “cuts” were required, they were perhaps the first to go, and their duties were assumed by their supervisors. Their absence would affect the company less than others as technology replace many of their duties.

Today's market requirements have changed drastically as have the skills of today's work force. At some point, a company asks itself if its workforce is “out of gas” or can carry it into the next generation of competition.

My management history of 40-plus years has shown me that companies with long-term employees can “handle the current load of business” but have difficulty expanding future business. Today's business requires that companies “grow” every year and that is not easy!

To simplify reasons for unemployment in the workplace is absurd, but I realize that the press has little space for reality in business.

One further point: Peruse your own photos of the unemployment lines and ask yourselves if you would extend a job interview to these folks based on their appearance?

Phil Alexander

Marion