Supply Chain Has Larger Choice

I like to write about corporate social responsibility issues and on more than one occasion I have signaled out UPS for the work they are doing in greening their fleet. Operationally they are a continuous case study in efficiency and process improvement. Locally, our neighborhood UPS driver is as nice as they get and my wife often exchanges a cookie or a cold can of seltzer when he delivers our seemingly endless flow of Web-purchased dog food.

That is why it pained me to see that this same company is forcing spouses of its non-union employees to obtain healthcare from their own companies if available, as UPS is worried about the impending changes of the Affordable Care Act. While I can certainly make the business case for this policy shift, I think it will no doubt impact the healthcare of children and families. I don’t think this has anything to do with protecting customers. I think it all has to do with protecting profits.

As a consumer, I sometimes have a choice of how my packages are shipped and I think I might think twice before I check the UPS radio button. As supply chain professionals we have a larger choice and perhaps you might express your dismay to the UPS rep the next time they knock on your door.

But, don’t be too angry. Those are the very ones who have had their benefits impacted.