Australian CEO Sparks Backlash with Call for Mass Unemployment to Curb Arrogant Workers

Australian CEO Tim Gurner says unemployment should rise significantly because workers are too arrogant and need to be reminded they work for employers.
He blames COVID for workers not wanting to work as much and hurting productivity.
Gurner says unemployment needs to jump 40-50% to create "pain in the economy" and curb worker arrogance.
Australia's unemployment is currently 3.7%, so a 50% increase would put 275,000 more people out of work.
Gurner previously blamed millennials' financial struggles on eating avocado toast, sparking backlash. His latest comments provoked more criticism.

huffpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/20/2023

The end of low unemployment

### Summary The combination of a record pace of immigration and slowing demand is leading to a rise in unemployment and lower wage growth in Australia, due to the Albanese Government's immigration policy. ### Facts - Australia's civilian population aged over 15 years grew by 598,000 in the year to July, or by 2.8%, thanks to the Albanese Government's unprecedented immigration program. - Labor supply growth (via immigration) is now twice as fast as before the pandemic, while labor demand is slowing. - The number of applicants per job is increasing, signaling rising unemployment. - Australia needs to create around 35,000 jobs per month just to maintain the current unemployment rate, which is unlikely given the current policy settings. - Rising unemployment and lower wage growth are expected due to the combination of strong labor supply growth and slowing demand. - The Albanese Government's extreme immigration policy is criticized for undermining working-class Australians while benefiting growth lobby mates.

9/13/2023

Australian CEO's Controversial Call for Higher Unemployment to Give Companies Leverage Over Workers Sparks Backlash

Australian millionaire property developer Tim Gurner is facing backlash for calling for increased unemployment to give companies more leverage over employees, claiming that they have become "arrogant" since the COVID-19 pandemic.

9/13/2023

Australian CEO Calls for Economic Pain to Teach Workers Humility

Tim Gurner, CEO of the Gurner Group, argued for a worse economy and suggested that Australian unemployment should increase by 50%, leading to criticism from commentators around the world.

9/13/2023

Australian Job Growth May Slow Further Amid Global Economic Headwinds

Australia's labor market may have peaked as the unemployment rate hovers around historic lows, leaving little room for improvement and potentially opening the door for further job losses, which could negatively impact the Australian Dollar (AUD) that has already been weakening due to slowing Chinese demand. Economists expect an increase in jobs for August, but there is potential for a downside surprise and a second consecutive month of declines.

9/14/2023

Millionaire Calls for Mass Layoffs to Teach Workers Humility, Faces Backlash

Australian real-estate tycoon Tim Gurner has apologized for calling for 270,000 job losses, stating that workers have become "arrogant" and need to be reminded that they work for the employer, not the other way around.

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Posted 9/12/2023, 8:35:47 PM

Australian CEO Sparks Backlash with Call for Mass Unemployment to Curb Arrogant Workers

Australian CEO Tim Gurner says unemployment should rise significantly because workers are too arrogant and need to be reminded they work for employers.
He blames COVID for workers not wanting to work as much and hurting productivity.
Gurner says unemployment needs to jump 40-50% to create "pain in the economy" and curb worker arrogance.
Australia's unemployment is currently 3.7%, so a 50% increase would put 275,000 more people out of work.
Gurner previously blamed millennials' financial struggles on eating avocado toast, sparking backlash. His latest comments provoked more criticism.

huffpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/20/2023

The end of low unemployment

9/13/2023

Australian CEO's Controversial Call for Higher Unemployment to Give Companies Leverage Over Workers Sparks Backlash

9/13/2023

Australian CEO Calls for Economic Pain to Teach Workers Humility

Tim Gurner, CEO of the Gurner Group, argued for a worse economy and suggested that Australian unemployment should increase by 50%, leading to criticism from commentators around the world.

9/13/2023

Australian Job Growth May Slow Further Amid Global Economic Headwinds

9/14/2023

Millionaire Calls for Mass Layoffs to Teach Workers Humility, Faces Backlash