Viewpoint - Viewpoint

I use the term “lowest level” assuming that is how many people view it.  In every country there is the often significant percentage of the population who do not belong, who are subject to many negative perceptions.  They may be considered lazy, burdens on society, potentially violent, criminally inclined, people to avoid as much as possible.

Can trickle down help the outcasts enter respectable society?

 I am not talking about the unemployed, they are still part of regular society as they try to get their lives back on track.  If the unemployed give up, there is, however, a danger of greater alienation and distancing from mainstream society. 

That is a real danger as more jobs are abolished than created – for many reasons. The turning point is when the unemployed cease to be registered, cease to be a statistic and may further slide into the somewhat ignored alternative society. 

The “unemployable” – we in Human Resources know who they are and with our strict hiring practices they stand practically zero chance of ever being hired into a “respectable” job.  They are part of alternative society and need to have alternative ways to survive. 

With respect to what I refer to as “lowest level of society”, I do not see them as pitiful people.  They have their pride, their celebrations, their happy days and their sad days. 

They are real human beings in the context of their environment, but main society does not approve of their society and may pretend that they are where they are by their own choice – they are responsible for all the challenges they must face and may die young. 

They do not live the values of our society and in many respects are outcasts.  Most will not aspire to join regular society – the barriers are in place – unless they are really lucky, they will not see any sincere invitation or dedicated mentor to help them.

Do you see them as an inevitable sector of any society?  They are rejects from the authorized game of life.  Does it matter how many there are?  Does it matter that their numbers will increase as we eliminate more and more jobs?  Why do we allow that sector to continue to grow?  Who is to blame?

I believe the government has to be held accountable, but as we elect the government, we must share some accountability.  Is big business to blame for putting company results ahead of society interests?  Not directly, because they are expected, almost compelled by our economic system to act the way they do. 

Success at the top can, they say, trickle down to help those at the bottom, but many at the bottom are there as a result of the strategies at the top to achieve success – quite a contradiction!  Can trickle down help the outcasts enter respectable society?  Probably better to give them jobs.

Do you think that there will be an increase in the numbers of those at the bottom who do not belong?   Can you suggest ways it can be avoided?  Is it inevitable that it will require government intervention?  Could the decline be effectively addressed by voluntary action on the part of business and concerned citizens?  Is that happening to any significant extent?

I look forward to any thoughts you may have on this critical subject.

Thanks,

Ian

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BIOGRAPHY

Bio:  Ian Welsh CHRP

Ian’s style of HR is being resourceful in a human way.  His HR experience spans more than 25 years at an executive level within major organizations where his emphasis was on HR solutions – respecting theory but knowing how to apply it in real life situations and recognizing holistic needs.  As an Independent HR Practitioner, based in Toronto, Ian continues to focus on “reality HR” with strong communications overtones.  He shares his experiences and thoughts on his Toolbox for HR blog “The Search for Mutual Success” and interactively through online discussion.

http://hr.toolbox.com/blogs/search-for-mutual-success/

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