Management Human Resources

Human Resources

Discerning How We Need to Establish

Caring Systems on the Job

By Laurent J. LaBrie and

Justice

Dave Jeffery

in the Workplace

People enter business as bright, well-edu- It was Solomon s request for and months that follow, the worker either

cated, high energy people, full of expecta- reception of discernment in adminis- finds the truth in the promise or,

tions and a desire to make a difference. By tering justice that catalyzed his pros- instead, finds disrespect, discourage-

the time they are 30, a few are on the fast perity (I Kings 3:11-13). Surely the peo- ment or favoritism.

track and the rest put in their time to do ple were motivated by seeing justice

what matters to them on the weekend. served and increased their productivity, God s People Must Reflect His

They lose the commitment, the sense of which resulted in riches far beyond Image

mission, and the excitement with which imagination for the entire kingdom. The Bible emphasizes that God is

they started their careers. We get...little of Conversely, selfishness and injustice by love and just. Those who call them-

their energy and almost none of their spir- leadership can result in real poverty of selves by his name must pursue his like-

it. all kinds. ness enough to establish systems of jus-

-Bill O Brien, CEO, Hanover Insurance. Every worker begins a job with an tice and love in their workplace.

expectation to succeed, but often over Injustice can be demonstrated in two

time loses the passion for the job. Yet it ways: personnel action (reward or disci-

I

t would be wrong to totally blame the is seldom about why the employee pline) based on subjective feelings, and

work environment when once pas- changed, but rather, why the organiza- lack of action when an employee inten-

sionate employees become passive tion changed. The employee who start- tionally does wrong. On the other hand,

ones. However, we can all think of exam- ed out with a sense of mission still has some show their lack of esteem for oth-

ers by demoting or removing someone

without cause. Two examples come to

God is love and loves justice. Those who call themselves my mind.

The president of a foundation that

by his name must pursue his likeness enough to establish sends medical teams around the world

stated he didn t have interest in examin-

systems of justice and love in their workplace. ing documentation of illegal activities

by his executive officers. Elsewhere, an

emergency relief organization s presi-

ples of managers who create clock-watch- it, but now devotes the zeal elsewhere. dent responded with disinterest to two

ers from fast-trackers. Whether employ- It is not that the worker lost enthusi- concurring reports regarding a co-

ees are inspired or discouraged by man- asm, it s that the organization lost its laborer s questionable activities.

agement depends to a large degree on claim to it. Most would agree with the view of

whether they feel they re being treated When the employee was hired, there Albert Camus that Christianity has

justly. God pointed out to Abraham the was an implicit promise that the worker neglected fair treatment of its people in

correlation of just leadership and the atti- would be respected, encouraged and anticipation of happiness in the next

tude of his followers. treated with justice. In the years or world. If justice is so lacking in

CHRISTIAN MANAGEMENT REPORT OCTOBER 2001 27

Christian ministry, consider how obedi- Attrition of Valuable Laborers us. In Genesis 39 we find the story of

ence in this area would benefit the king- The harvest is plentiful but the Joseph and Potiphar. Joseph was

dom of God. workers are few (Matthew 9:37). The accused of a crime and put in prison

point the Lord seems to be making here without a thorough investigation.

Expectation of Justice is the priceless nature of the workers. Justice was not served. Potiphar could

If we teach the Biblical values of def- Today s materialism battles powerfully have saved himself and the country

erence to authority, our employees have for our hearts through media and enter- considerable struggles if he had handled

a strong expectation that submission tainment. Many workers come to our the accusations correctly. Investigation

will be handled responsibly. Research organizations willing to sacrifice for the could have ensured that Joseph s

confirms that if the people in our orga- mission but are deeply disappointed defense was heard, possibly preventing

nizations have conservative social atti- when they experience behavior not the imprisonment of an innocent man

tudes and hold to the Protestant work befitting a workplace that calls itself and forestalling the temporary loss of a

ethic, their expectations are even Christian. valuable employee.

stronger that management will adminis- Ask the Lord of the harvest to send Often management too quickly puts

ter justice. Thus, in order to retain key out workers . . . (Matthew 9:39). Our credence in unfounded accusations by

people, it s even more important for employees were given to us as a gift board members and/or other adminis-

organizations to develop a response sys- from God by the prayers of faithful trators, resulting in demoralizing a valu-

tem that s just. Perhaps that s why God saints who hold our arms up in prayer. able employee. When management

spoke to Moses so firmly about this It s a great disservice to the Lord to take takes action before investigating thor-

issue and states that whoever withholds his blessings lightly or use them in oughly, it devalues the worker and true

justice (at least to the foreigner, orphan indiscriminate ways that do not reflect justice is not served in love. Conversely,

and widow) is cursed. his love and care. the internal justice system of the United

Some Christian organizations appear A highly motivated employee has States military increases loyalty and

to lack established strategies to ensure considerable emotional and physical integrity.

equity and demonstrated love. investments in the organization, and the Lack of appreciation can also be con-

Furthermore, little has been published tasks to which he or she has been veyed in our selfishness or preoccupa-

on the subject. We are called to begin assigned. We must not change the sta- tion with our daily responsibilities,

the discussion of discerning justice in tus of our relationship based on some- while forgetting, at least momentarily,

our workplace. thing over which they have no control the value of our employees.

(e.g., your feelings). Otherwise, we will The Bible continually commands us

adversely affect their professionalism, as to love one another as ourselves. Could

well as personally hurt them and their we possibly do any better than this in

families. demonstrating our love for our faithful

A manager s moral compass will not employees? L Etoile gives us good

direct his organization until it travels advice: Justice forbids us to use slander

from concept to words of love and or libel. Charity goes still further: it

enforcement. When employees see the orders us to defend absent persons

words of management actually enforced against slander or libel.

with equity, three things will occur: Coworkers expect us to create a safe

employees become encouraged, environment that permits risk-taking

decreasing burnout and depression; and occasional errors but controls

ethical behavior is reinforced, improv- intentional misconduct. No amount of

ing the corporate witness to the com- inspirational speeches will take the

Ad #1 munity, and executives regain respect in place of treating each and every

American Church Lists the organization, decreasing moral employee with love as well as justice.

issues and harmful turnover. The behavior you reward is the behav-

The cures provided by a functional ior you will receive.

justice system are not instantaneous,

but develop gradually. Wounded Laurent J. LaBrie is the Romanian director for

the Go Ye Fellowship, serving in Curtea de

employees must be given time to gain

Arges, Romania, and David F. Jeffery is direc-

confidence in the system before they tor of development, William Temple House,

start acting more professionally. Portland, Ore. They may be contacted at

abpn13@r.postjobfree.com and djeffery@williamtem-

ple.org, respectively.

Devaluation of the Laborer

When we don t administer justice in

love, we convey to God, board mem-

bers, donors and others that we do not

value the workers God has entrusted to

CHRISTIAN MANAGEMENT REPORT OCTOBER 2001 28

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