處理員工的不滿
By Rick Boxx
企業經常以獲取最大的利潤為目的，所以他們通常不願意提高員工的薪水來增加公司的成本 這樣的作法短期可以迅速提高公司的利潤，但是長期來說，對那些在工作上可以幫公司䁠錢的員工來說,有非常不好的感受。
我觀察到一個最常見的狀況就是，太強調企業的利潤會讓領低薪的基層員工抗爭要求更高的薪水，就像是我們經常在新聞看到的一樣。幾個主要會影響員工對工作滿意度的原因，其中最大一個就是低薪。
要徹底改變這種狀況，企業管理階層需要開始多一點用家人的角度看他們的員工，而非只是把他們當成為公司賺錢的無名氏。
以聖經觀點來看也是十分正確,老闆和員工的工作關係應該就像家人一樣，而非上層對下層。神認為領袖的角色就像牧羊人，他要 照顧羊群。例如，在彼得前書5章2-3節告訴我們：「務要牧養在你們中間上帝的群羊，按椾上帝 旨意照管他們；不是出於勉強，乃是出於甘心；也不是因為貪財，乃是出於樂意；也不是轄制所託付你們的，乃是作群羊的榜樣。」
另外一處經文來自舊約，也表達了相似的概念：「你要詳細知道你羊群的景況， 留心料理你的牛群；因為資財不能永有， 冠冕豈能存到萬代？乾草割去，嫩草發現， 山上的菜蔬也被收斂。羊羔 之毛是為你作衣服； 山羊是為作田地的價值，並有母山羊奶夠你吃， 也夠你的家眷吃， 且夠養你的婢女。」 (箴言27章23-27節)
這個道理很簡單：賺錢是必要的，但是領袖和管理階層的責任不僅僅是在追求公司的最大利潤，他們也要照顧為他們工作的人。公司要在乎員工對他們的信任，公司有責任要確定員工是被公平和公正對待,公司也不需要有太大外部壓力，只要適當提供那些他們需要得到的，包括公司願意給他們慷概的補償，和承認員工對企業重要的貢獻
如果能夠平衡公司的利潤和員工的財務上的需求，對公司在改善生產力和或利潤上面都會大有幫助。如同提摩太前書5章18節所說的：「因為經上說：「牛 在場上踹穀的時候，不可籠住牠的嘴」；又說：「工人得工價是應當的。」
如果你期待有一個和諧也能夠獲利的公司，想一想如何當一個牧人，而不是當一個獨裁者。讓自己的公司有正面積極的工作環境，重視員工的貢獻，也大方地回饋他們，這一定能幫助你的公司更加的成功。
本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。
省思／討論題目
你的公司或是你工作的地方把利潤放在第一位的嗎？你曾經在這樣的工作環境工作過嗎？請分享你的經驗或是感覺。 你是否曾經覺得在工作上自己所付出的和所獲得的報酬不成比例嗎？分享一下你當時的感覺。 你對聖經當中，將領導人當成牧人或是管家這樣的想法，有甚麼看法？ 你覺得適當的會饋對員工的工作倫理和表現有甚麼影響？你覺得除了會饋之外還有其他的因素會影響到員工的工作效率嗎？分享你的答案。
備註: 如果你手上有聖經，想要閱讀更多關於這個主題的經文，請參考：馬可福音10章44-45節；路加福音12章42-43節、16章10-13節；腓立比書2章3-4節
OVERCOMING EMPLOYEE DISCONTENT
By Rick Boxx
Businesses are often so driven by the bottom line – maximizing profits – that they are reluctant to increase payroll costs. Such a strategy might boost profit margins over the short term, but can have a disastrous long-term impact on the people who perform the work to make the company profitable.
On numerous occasions I have observed that this overemphasis on the business”s bottom line can cause considerable discontent in lower-paid workers, like we have seen repeatedly in the news as workers speak out and protest in a quest for higher wages. Numerous factors can affect a worker”s sense of contentment on the job, but feeling undercompensated is one of the greatest causes of discontentment.
One radical way of changing this would be for business executives to start viewing their employees in a more personal manner, regarding them as their "business family," rather than as faceless drains on the company”s finances.
This is especially true if we adopt a biblical perspective of the employer-employee working relationship. Rather than being an “owner” or “boss,” God calls leaders to consider their roles as that of a shepherd, responsible for the well-being of the sheep – their “flock.” For instance, 1 Peter 5:2-3 teaches, "Be shepherds of God”s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be, not greedy for money, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
Another passage, from the Old Testament, offers a similar perspective: “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds, for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations…. You will have plenty of goats” milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls” (Proverbs 27:23-27).
The point is simple: As leaders and executives, our responsibility is not only to safeguard the company”s bottom line – although for a business to survive it must make a profit. We are stewards of all of those who work for us. They have been entrusted to our care, and we have a responsibility for making certain they are treated fairly and equitably. External pressures should not be required for us to properly provide for those in our employ, and that includes being willing to compensate them generously, acknowledging their vital contributions to our corporate success.
What would be the outcome of balancing concern for the company”s bottom line with an equal awareness of the financial needs of our workers? In all likelihood, it would result in improved productivity and profitability. In other words, the bottom line could be enhanced by paying employees wages at a level they deserve. As 1 Timothy 5:18 says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain…. Those who work deserve their pay!"
If you desire a harmonious and profitable workplace, consider being a shepherd, not a dictator. Setting the tone for a positive working environment, recognizing valued contributions by workers, and compensating them generously will help in ensuring corporate success.
Copyright 2016, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. His new book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you lead or work for a company that seems to put profits far ahead of any other concerns, including how employees are compensated? If not at present, have you ever been part of such a working environment? What was that experience like for you? Has there ever been a time when you felt you were not being compensated adequately for the work you were performing? How did you feel about that? What do you think of the biblical concept of a leader in any context, including the workplace, approaching that role as being a shepherd, a steward of the people under his or her care? How do you think compensation affects employee morale and performance? Are there other factors that you think have an even greater impact on the quality and quantity of their work? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Mark 10:44-45; Luke 12:42-43, 16:10-13; Philippians 2:3-4
