Coveting thy subsidiary’s office furniture
I was a new employee of a company that had been acquired by my former educational institution. I knew the university administration through my time as president of the student body. At my company, we had an unfortunate turn of events where a layoff occurred on the day that the vice president of sales received new Queen Anne style office furnishings were delivered. People were let go and walking out the door as the furniture was being carried in. Not the best timing.
Another round of layoffs came. This time, a vice president from the university holding company announced to the remaining employees that such extravagant furnishings have no place in a university owned company. This time, the furniture left with the sacked employees.
I happened to be at my alma mater and stopped in at the holding company offices. As I entered the room to pay my respects to the university administrator, his office had been decorated with Queen Anne furniture.