Majority of Americans Say Top Managers Make More Than They Deserve

November 11, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A new Harris Interactive poll found that seven in 10 Americans (69%) believe most top company managers make more than they deserve in salaries and all other benefits.  

The Harris Poll also found that three in 10 (29%) say top company managers make about what they deserve, and 2% believe they make less than what they deserve. There is a partisan difference as three-quarter of Democrats (76%) and seven in 10 Independents (71%) believe these top managers make more than they deserve. compared to 59% of Republicans.

It's not just the fact that company leaders are paid more, it's who the money is coming at the expense of that seems to be a concern, a press release said. Four in five Americans (80%) agree that top company managers have become rich at the expense of ordinary workers, with almost half (47%) strongly agreeing. Again there is a partisan divide as nine in 10 Democrats (89%) agree compared to seven in 10 Republicans (69%).

Among those who believe top company managers have become rich at the expense of ordinary workers, over three-quarters (77%) are angry that this has happened, with 34% very angry. Less than one in five (18%) are not very angry and only 5% are not at all angry.