If it sounds like bullshit... chances are

The published "values" of ANZ, who announced it was shedding 20% of its workforce recently, consist of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence (ICARE). The cynic in me can't help but wonder if they started with the Acronym and worked backwards. Nice work team... nailed it!

According to their website they also "believe that the safety, security, physical and mental wellbeing of our people lies at the heart of our company’s success." Hmmm... until I assume, there's a bit of coin to be had because with results for the half year up 16 per cent to $3,642 million profit after tax, ANZ isn't exactly treading water.

There does seem to be evidence of incongruence at play, but any cognitive dissonance being experienced by the C suite will know doubt soon be soothed by eye-watering bonuses.

To paraphrase the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), directors of public companies have a duty to act in the best interests of its shareholders which despite anyone's protestations means to maximise profit.

So why then the need for all this corporate virtue-signaling that to anyone who would bother allocating a skerrick of attention to them, are self-evident to be patently untrue? Despite the blatancy, is there comfort in the lie, and whom for? The employee, the customer or the executives?

Perhaps it speaks to the fragile truth of the complex relationship between dependency and contempt for a system that sustains the vast majority.

No, despite the shameless devotion of that much despised creature, the corporate sycophant, I think its safe to assume they're not fooling anyone, rather the more telling question is "can we handle the truth"? I think not Neo...

As a side note...

Qantas "punished" its CEO for a cyber attack via a $278k reduction in her annual remuneration. Poor old Nessy had to settle for $6.3 million. The tokenism from the board of the gorilla sized partner in our Airline duopoly is insulting. Its not news worthy... its clever marketing to what I can only assume they believe to be a gullible majority.

I suspect it is but more fuel to the flame of discontent but we must all add oxygen alas the fire peters out.

I'm calling bullshit... so should you!