[Verse 1] Back when smokestacks filled the sky No HR office, wonder why Foremen stood at factory gates Pointing fingers, sealing fates "You and you, come work today" "You go home without your pay" No applications, no review Just a finger pointed at you [Chorus] Before HR existed, chaos ruled the floor Foremen hired and fired, standing at the door No benefits, no safety, work until you're dead Employment at will was all that could be said No records, no protection, just survive each day Before HR existed, that was the only way [Verse 2] Payroll clerks would count the wage In accounting's dusty cage Company owners set the scene Dangerous conditions, rarely clean Machinery without a guard Working conditions, brutal hard No one tracking who was who No benefits to help you through [Chorus] Before HR existed, chaos ruled the floor Foremen hired and fired, standing at the door No benefits, no safety, work until you're dead Employment at will was all that could be said No records, no protection, just survive each day Before HR existed, that was the only way [Bridge] No unemployment when you're done No compensation when you're hurt No minimum wage for anyone Just blood and sweat and honest dirt Nobody mediated fights Nobody tracked your working rights You worked until you couldn't stand That was labor's harsh command [Verse 3] Industrial history tells the tale Of workers bound to always fail No safety laws, no legal shield Just show up and work the field Employment at will meant one thing clear You're here today, gone next year No protection from the state Just pray you dodge a cruel fate [Final Chorus] Before HR existed, chaos ruled the floor Foremen hired and fired, standing at the door No benefits, no safety, work until you're dead Employment at will was all that could be said No records, no protection, just survive each day Before HR existed, that was the only way [Outro] Before HR came along Workers sang a different song
← 1 — The Principal-Agent Problem | 2 — The Personnel Department Emerges →