From “Growing in the character of a disciple”: Chapter 6 – A closer look at the various types of people with whom we must be faithful
If God has put you into a managerial position, or if you have your own business, that doesn’t mean you have no boss. God is always your boss and you must report to Him daily. One of the first priorities He will have for you is to treat your staff fairly. Actually they are really His staff, not yours and God is very interested in how you deal with them:
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
James 5:4 (NIV)
God is watching over the people who work for you, or under you, and He hears their cries. So, always pay wages on time. Don’t hold them back just to ease your own cash flow. A Christian employer must still pay the wages, even when there is nothing left for himself. I have been in that place, in the past, as most businessmen have, especially when starting out. Likewise, in dealing with staff, you have a responsibility to treat them fairly and to provide them with the opportunity to grow and develop.
Moreover, one of the key duties of every boss is to protect the weak from the strong. In any workplace, unless the boss is vigilant, bullies and tyrants will inevitably emerge amongst the staff, and at every level. Even if you get rid of them, others will always arise. There will always be some who seek to exploit, dominate and use their colleagues, especially the more timid ones.
A good boss always steps in to side with the victim and to resist the bully or manipulator, however difficult or time consuming that may be. That is the duty of every boss, though very few bother even to consider it, let alone do anything about it. A Christian boss must be keenly aware of this and take it all very seriously.
Many bosses choose to turn a blind eye to bullying, domination and manipulation at work. That is because standing up to workplace bullies requires courage and is costly, in all sorts of ways. At the very least, it is emotionally draining and it takes up a lot of time. A good boss will inevitably get abused, undermined and lied about, and especially so if he ever stands up to workplace bullies. Moreover, few people will recognise the price he is paying, or thank him for what he is doing.
Bad staff and workplace bullies will band together to attack and undermine such a boss. You must fully expect that, and be ready for it. Even so, have courage and do your duty. Use your authority faithfully. Stand up to such people and get all of them out of the business, even if you end up taking a lot of abuse and trouble for it. Be faithful to your good staff and defend them from oppressors and always choose the right course of action, not the easiest one.
