Employee satisfaction is a big deal in the company I work for. They invest so much on coming up with surveys and evaluation of how they are doing when it comes to making the workplace fun and less stressful. They have initiatives like focus group discussions to get input from employees of how the firm is currently dealing with its people.

I have a few things to say but did not get a chance to have them pointed out during one of the focus group discussions I participated in. Just recently, we received information and confirmation of salary increases. I'm relieved to know that we still got an increase even though the market was really bad. What I'm not liking right now is the blatant aesthetic projects the company is undergoing which I know cost much money.

There's this new area in the office which could be an interior designer's masterpiece. In all fairness, the look is fab and really impressive, Herman Miller chairs all over, a possibility of Philippe Starck chairs and tables as well. I love the furniture, but not the price. For a company that's trying to lessen their costs by laying off people or downsizing, they sure know how to buy expensive furniture. The Herman Miller chair alone costs $600 - $850, and there are dozens of them. There is a set of chairs that cost about $2000. For me that's quite expensive. What I don't like about this whole thing is the company openly showing that they can spend millions on furniture, image, etc. but not on its people. WEIRD!!!!