Letters

Civil service

Re "A Call For Civility," Human Resources, Feb. 12, Page 17: 1 am sympathetic to [Michael A. Verespej's] call for civility. However, I fear that today's competitive environment makes old notions of civility professionally reckless.

The general coarsening of American society

has created an environment that requires defensive measures as aggressive as those used against us. Purely as a measure of prudent career management, I must operate under the premise that I could lose my job at any time for almost any reason. Given this, how does one conduct [himself/herself] in an ethical and considerate manner?

I think we each have to resolve to do, everything in our power to humanize these forces that affect us every day. We must recognize that as leaders we have to set the example. We must rise above these forces and recognize that virtue is its own reward. Also we must do this as individuals, one at a time.

Platt R. Safford

Vice President, Manufacturing