賠償與額外補償

雖然那公司在法律上沒有義務那麼做，但他們展現願意賠償我們松樹之外更多的錢。他們承認那問題可能造成我們的辛苦與煩惱，所以提供額外的補償來賠罪。

我無法得知那國際知名的公司透過什麼程序決定賠償金應該是多少，但我知道他們提供賠償的基本觀念源自聖經。

聖經舊約教導我們：「無論男女，若犯了人所常犯的罪…他要承認所犯的罪，將所虧負人的，如數賠還，另外加上五分之一，也歸與所虧負的人」（民數記5章6-7節）。

這個訓誡包括兩個原則：首先，當犯了錯，且讓別人受到財務或物質上的損失，冒犯者需要賠償受害者損失的金額。第二，損害可能超過實際損失的金錢價值。若是如此，就應該付額外的補償去改善。

在今天的社會，我們常常看到許多公司尋求用最低標準的貨物品質和客戶服務就矇混過去。所以在碰到一個企業願意提供比他們所被要求－－或甚至被期待－－更多的服務時，真是讓人耳目一新。

在「登山寶訓」中，耶穌告訴他的跟隨者如何適當地回應仇敵。祂所給的那些原則也適用於企業，因為企業都想要確保他們的顧客不會成為仇人或敵手：

「有人想要告你，要拿你的裏衣，連外衣也由他拿去；有人強逼你走一里路，你就同他走二里」（馬太福音5章40-41節）。

所以我建議，若你發現你虧待了某人－－即使那完全不是故意的－－而且你真的想要賠罪，你可以考慮在實際損失的金額上再加額外的補償。若你能用超過他們所合理期待的方式去解決，沒有人能再對你有所挑剔。

我已看過不只一個例子，公司熱忱地服務顧客，並且為他們所犯的錯誤努力補償，使顧客滿意，這樣不僅讓客戶繼續惠顧，也看到生意蒸蒸日上，因為他們願意去做對的事。

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。想要更多了解正直資源中心或想要收到電子文件的「瑞克每天的正直時刻Rick”s daily Integrity Moments」系列文章，請上網www.integrityresource.org。他的書「如何生意興隆而不犧牲正直」提供人們正直地作生意的方法。

With this gesture, which the company had no legal obligation to do, they were demonstrating a willingness to go beyond the cost of replacing our trees. They were acknowledging the problem might have caused a measure of personal hardship and distress for us, and were offering to make amends through additional compensation.

I have no way of knowing what process this internationally known company utilized for determining what their settlement offer should be, but I do know where their underlying concept for providing restitution originated: The Bible.

The Old Testament of the Bible teaches, “When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind … then he shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged” (Numbers 5:6-7).

There are two principles included in this admonition: First, when a wrong is committed and someone suffers a financial or material loss, the offender should be required to compensate the victim for the amount of loss. Second, damages may exceed the actual monetary value of the loss. If so, then additional compensation should be made to make amends.

In society today, we often see companies seeking to get by with what they perceive as the bare minimum, both in terms of quality and customer service. So it was refreshing to encounter an example of a corporation committed to going beyond what they are required – or even expected – to do.

In His so-called “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus told His followers how they should properly respond to their enemies. But the principles He gave are applicable as well for businesses wanting to ensure that their customers do not become enemies or adversaries:

“And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, give him your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:40-41).

So I would suggest that if you discover you have wronged someone – even if the act was completely unintentional – and you truly want to make amends, consider adding to the amount of actual damages an additional amount for restitution. No one can ever fault you for resolving to do more than they could reasonably expect of you.

I have seen more than one example of companies, with an earnest effort to serve and satisfy a customer for a wrong they have committed, not only salvaging the customer”s repeat business but also seeing business increase because of their commitment to doing the right thing.

Copyright 2013, 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. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org. His book, How to Prosper in Business Without Sacrificing Integrity, gives a biblical approach for doing business with integrity.