[hn_throwaway_99]

So all companies should just fully divide their profits, totally equally, among employees, so shareholders get nothing. So why would anyone ever invest in companies in the first place? Why would employees have an incentive to work hard if they all get an equal share of profits.

Look, I wholly agree that there are many things that need fixing in the American version of capitalism, but lord, this ain't it.

[IESAI_ski]

I admit I'm trying to be a little provocative here. But to be clear, that's not what the tool is arguing. It doesn't say companies should do what you are saying. It takes a big abstract number and puts it on a per-person scale so you can actually feel the size of it. I don't know how much profit should go to buybacks an dividends and workers, but we need the numbers to have the discussion.

"$22 billion in profit" means nothing to most people. "$10,000 per employee" does. That's it. The tool is a framing device, not a policy proposal.

What you do with that number is up to you. Maybe you think the current split is fair. Maybe you think you should ask for a raise. Maybe you just find it interesting. All fine.