Thursday, April 12, 2012

Amazon the Corporate Citizen

Amazon as a corporate citizen is a little bit different kettle of fish than Amazon  the employer.  I think it was fairly obvious that you wouldn't take a warehouse job there unless you had no other choice.  Evaluating the company as a "corporate citizen" is not as obvious.  

Yes, the company is not in the same league as Microsoft or Boeing or Nordstrom's when it comes to giving money to charity.  But Bezos has made major contributions to charities as an individual.  Philosophically, he does not think companies should practice philanthropy.  I can understand that point of view although I disagree with it.

It's at the employee level that I have my reservations as he makes it difficult for employees to contribute to charity via payroll donations: it costs them 6% to do so.

Bezos is not active within the Seattle business community, Amazon's hometown.  He did not appear at a luncheon honoring him as "Executive of the Year.  Amazon has built many buildings in Seattle, but neither he nor his staff come to groundbreaking ceremonies held by the city and state.

No comments: