Executive pay in the midst of the pandemic presents an obvious
dilemma. On the one hand, it would be a stretch to blame fairly
management teams for most of the adverse financial performance that
will stretch across a broad range of industries. On the other, they
cannot escape the consequences either.
Consider that while stock values may bounce back for many
companies in the reasonably short term, it is unlikely that
business will quickly return to the status quo ante. In some
industries, the markets for products and services may change
permanently; in other industries, supply chain and inventory
management may also be permanently affected. Not least, rank and
file employees and other stakeholders across the economy will
suffer. Many executives will take short-term salary cuts in
recognition of the hardship, but that is a preliminary and largely
symbolic step and compensation committees need to find the right
overall balance between reward and respect for the
