週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.7.23
僱主與員工關係的界定
僱主與員工或上司與屬下之間的恰當關係應該是什麼？
在今日的職場，我們看到有許多難以估計的可能性。有些僱主的態度是：「我已提供了一個工作。我們也談好了酬勞。他們還期待什麼？他們在這裡就是要做任何我要他們做的事。假如他們不喜歡，我也沒辦法。」而有些員工的態度是：「直到找到更好的工作之前，我都在這裡。老板要我做什麼，我就去做，但別期待我會做更多。畢竟這只是個糊口的工作，並不是我的生命。」
在另一邊，我們發現有些僱主誠摯地關心員工的利益。這些僱主除了製造產品或提供服務、賺取利潤和取悅股東外，還想激勵員工發揮他們最大的能力－－去了解他們的天份與才能，給他們機會，讓他們的技能與專業技術完全發揮。同樣地，有些員工視工作為一個呼召，一個去服事別人的方式，也能實現他們生命的獨特目的。
在我工作三十多年間，遇過以上兩種老板，也有介於兩者之間的。我覺得有些老板只把我當作一個工具，一個可以完成事務或企劃的工具。然而，有些老板認為我不只於此。他們非常尊重我，也告訴我他們很重視我。他們要看到我成為卓越的人，也願意盡他們所能使之成真。我一直很感謝這些老板－－以及他們的公司。
但僱主與員工每天的互動是否有一個完美的模範？我們可在書店、圖書館、網路和各樣有關職場的演講中找到建議。其中一個值得我們考慮的來源是聖經。許多經文都談到工作，但以弗所書6章5-9節特別與此議題有關：
「你們作僕人的，要懼怕戰兢，用誠實的心聽從你們肉身的主人，好像聽從基督一般。不要只在眼前事奉，像是討人喜歡的，要像基督的僕人，從心裡遵行神的旨意；甘心事奉，好像服事主，不是服事人…你們作主人的待僕人，也是一理，不要威嚇他們，因為知道他們和你們，同有一位主在天上，祂並不偏待人。」
這不只是上司與屬下的關係，此經文也傳達互相尊重與順服的關係。「員工」二字可替代經文中的「僕人」，因僕人在當出聖經寫作時，是指志願的勞役，而不是被逼迫、被剝削權利的奴僕。同樣的，「僱主」或「老板」也可取代文中的「主人」。
在上司不在時，員工也要有全心委身的精神，誠懇、勤奮地工作。對那些相信上帝的員工而言，他們要認真地工作，就好像要直接向上帝報告一樣。
這經文提醒僱主對員工有管家的責任，要鼓勵、協助他們，而不是藉著威脅或不合理的壓力尋求增加生產力。當正面、互相支持的環境被建立，產量與員工滿意度自然都會提升。
思想 / 討論題目
你會如何形容你的老板與員工的整體關係？實際相處時，看起來如何？你覺得這關係如何影響公司員工的生產力與滿足感？
請描述你曾經歷過最好與最差的工作環境。兩者有何差異？
對於以弗所書6章5-9節所建議的工作關係，你有何看法？你認為在今日的職場中可行嗎？為什麼？
若將聖經的那些原則應用在你工作的地方（或任何職場），你認為會有何長期的影響？若試著開始實施那些原則，你想在短期內會有什麼問題？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
路加福音12章42-48節，16章1-12節；哥林多前書4章2節；歌羅西書3章17、23節；雅各書2章14-17節
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TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
July 23, 2007
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES – DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP
By: Robert J. Tamasy
What should be the proper relationship between employers and employees? Or between supervisors and subordinates?
In today’s workplace we see an incredibly wide range of possibilities. There is the employer’s attitude that, “I have provided a job and we have agreed on compensation. What else do they expect? They are here to do whatever I ask of them. If they don’t like it, too bad.” And there is the corresponding employee’s attitude: “I’m here – at least until I can find something better. I will do what I’m assigned to do, but don’t expect me to do any more than that. After all, it is just a job; it’s not my life.”
At the other end of the spectrum, we find some employers who maintain a deep, sincere interest in those that work for them. Their desire, beyond producing goods or services, making a profit and pleasing stakeholders, is to empower workers to maximize their capabilities – to realize their gifts and talents and give them the opportunity to put their skills and expertise to full use. And some employees, in a similar way, see their jobs more as a calling, a way to serve others and fulfill their unique purpose in life.
During my working career of more than three decades, I have worked for both kinds of employers – and types in between. Some bosses I have had seemed to regard me as little more than a tool, a means for getting specific tasks and projects accomplished. Others, however, saw me as more than that. They treated me with great respect and communicated how much they valued me. They wanted to see me excel and were willing to do whatever they could to make that possible. I will always be thankful for those individuals – and their companies.
But is there a model, an ideal template for how employers and employees should interact on a day to day basis? We could find many business books with their recommendations in bookstores and libraries, as well as on the Internet and at various workplace conferences. One source that deserves to be considered is the Bible. In many passages it addresses work issues, but one in particular – Ephesians 6:5-9 – has particular relevance:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord…. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
Rather than a relationship of superiority and subjection, this passage conveys a relationship of mutual respect and submission. The word “employees” could easily be substituted for the word “slaves,” since when these words were written it referred to a voluntary servitude, not a condition in which individuals were coerced and deprived of rights. Similarly, the words “employers” or “bosses” could replace the word “masters.”
Employees are urged to work respectfully and sincerely, diligently even when their superiors are not watching, and with a wholehearted, fully committed spirit. For those workers having a personal relationship with God, they should be just as devoted in carrying out their work as if they were reporting directly to God Himself.
Employers are reminded of their stewardship responsibilities toward those who work for them, to encourage and assist them in their responsibilities, not to seek increased productivity through threats or unreasonable pressure. When a positive, mutually supportive environment is established, work output and worker satisfaction grow.
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How would you describe the overall relationship between your employer and its employees? What does this look like in practice, and how do you feel it affects the productivity and contentment of the company’s staff?
2. Describe the best working environment you have ever experienced. Also describe the worst working environment that you have encountered. What were the differences between the two?
3. What is your overall reaction to what the suggested Bible passage, Ephesians 6:5-9, says about working relationships? Do you think it is realistic for today’s workplace? Why or why not?
4. What do you think would be the long-term impact of implementing those principles where you work – or in any workplace, for that matter? Would you anticipate any problems in the short-term of trying to introduce those principles?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:
Luke 12:42-48, 16:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 3:17,23; James 2:14-17
A service to the business community
July 23, 2007
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES – DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP
By: Robert J. Tamasy
What should be the proper relationship between employers and employees? Or between supervisors and subordinates?
In today’s workplace we see an incredibly wide range of possibilities. There is the employer’s attitude that, “I have provided a job and we have agreed on compensation. What else do they expect? They are here to do whatever I ask of them. If they don’t like it, too bad.” And there is the corresponding employee’s attitude: “I’m here – at least until I can find something better. I will do what I’m assigned to do, but don’t expect me to do any more than that. After all, it is just a job; it’s not my life.”
At the other end of the spectrum, we find some employers who maintain a deep, sincere interest in those that work for them. Their desire, beyond producing goods or services, making a profit and pleasing stakeholders, is to empower workers to maximize their capabilities – to realize their gifts and talents and give them the opportunity to put their skills and expertise to full use. And some employees, in a similar way, see their jobs more as a calling, a way to serve others and fulfill their unique purpose in life.
During my working career of more than three decades, I have worked for both kinds of employers – and types in between. Some bosses I have had seemed to regard me as little more than a tool, a means for getting specific tasks and projects accomplished. Others, however, saw me as more than that. They treated me with great respect and communicated how much they valued me. They wanted to see me excel and were willing to do whatever they could to make that possible. I will always be thankful for those individuals – and their companies.
But is there a model, an ideal template for how employers and employees should interact on a day to day basis? We could find many business books with their recommendations in bookstores and libraries, as well as on the Internet and at various workplace conferences. One source that deserves to be considered is the Bible. In many passages it addresses work issues, but one in particular – Ephesians 6:5-9 – has particular relevance:
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord…. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
Rather than a relationship of superiority and subjection, this passage conveys a relationship of mutual respect and submission. The word “employees” could easily be substituted for the word “slaves,” since when these words were written it referred to a voluntary servitude, not a condition in which individuals were coerced and deprived of rights. Similarly, the words “employers” or “bosses” could replace the word “masters.”
Employees are urged to work respectfully and sincerely, diligently even when their superiors are not watching, and with a wholehearted, fully committed spirit. For those workers having a personal relationship with God, they should be just as devoted in carrying out their work as if they were reporting directly to God Himself.
Employers are reminded of their stewardship responsibilities toward those who work for them, to encourage and assist them in their responsibilities, not to seek increased productivity through threats or unreasonable pressure. When a positive, mutually supportive environment is established, work output and worker satisfaction grow.
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress).
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Please direct any requests or change of address to: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How would you describe the overall relationship between your employer and its employees? What does this look like in practice, and how do you feel it affects the productivity and contentment of the company’s staff?
2. Describe the best working environment you have ever experienced. Also describe the worst working environment that you have encountered. What were the differences between the two?
3. What is your overall reaction to what the suggested Bible passage, Ephesians 6:5-9, says about working relationships? Do you think it is realistic for today’s workplace? Why or why not?
4. What do you think would be the long-term impact of implementing those principles where you work – or in any workplace, for that matter? Would you anticipate any problems in the short-term of trying to introduce those principles?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:
Luke 12:42-48, 16:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 3:17,23; James 2:14-17
posted by Shine Lin at 11:07 PM
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