I had this little conversation last month. I don't know where they calculate the 85%. But I do get paid for my time and labor. Otherwise, I would quit. The nice thing about not owning the business. I'm not attached to any debt incurred by the owners.
I own a store, I pay people $20 hr to work there, if the store makes money I make money and my employees get paid $20 an hour, if the store breaks even I make no money and my employees make $20 an hour, if the store loses money I make negative money and my employees make $20 an hour. AC unit exploded, we need to replace it now, all the profits for the week are now in play replacing the AC unit, I make no money, my employees make $20 an hour.
If I make a shit ton of money I may give my employees a bonus, or I may squirrel it away for another potential store loses money time in the future.
Would my employees like to join me in the gamble of making money with the potential risk of making negative money, or would they like to be able to keep a steady stream of revenue?
If a guy tells you he'll give you 99¢ of every dollar you make a company but he keeps 1¢, then makes that same deal with 1,000 other people, you don't get to bitch that he's making more than you.
Profit is what you have after expenses and liabilities.
Which includes paying employees.
This isn't even remotely addressing brosef's point.
Bosses can still make more than employees even if the employees get to keep the vast majority of their "labour value".
