Not certain if this employer is worse than any other small or mid-sized American business. The CEO pays competitively for STEM stuff, and probably at the low end of the scale of less skilled workers. The benefits are much better than similar for the industry sector - so much that we have asked to reduce perks some due to new tax and ACA regulations.

Perspective. Company size was approx 125 in 2007, but under 50 today. And the annual volume has returned to 90% of what it was for 2007. Unlike some of our big competitors, the boss has re-invested the increased margin after the recovery in next-gen product dev and an annual bonus system. My employer, to my knowledge, does nothing illegal or immoral, and struggles with 'doing the right thing' vs ensuring company survival.