Labor and Management a Biblical Perspective:

Employers Obligations

Christian ethics dictates that masters, hence employers, ought to deal justify with their employees. This divine mandate to Christians is congruent with what God commanded during the time of Moses. “Do not cheat poor and needy hired servants… Each day before sunset pay them for that day’s work; they need the money and counted on getting it. If you do not pay them, they will cry out against you to the Lord, and you will be guilty of sin”. (Deut. 24:14-15). Employers must not take advantage of the laborer in their payroll. They must give them their due. They should observe just and proper compensation. Grave sin is being committed by one who oppresses another or who makes  people work for nothing or who cheats his workers out of their salaries (Jer. 22:13). The Lord Almighty suddenly appears to judge and testify against those who cheats employees out of their wages, and those who take advantage of widows, orphans, and foreigners-lumping  them all under one category, all those who do not respect Him. (Mal. 3:5).

Employees reciprocal Duties

Employees have reciprocal duties towards their employers. “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; with not eye service, as men-pleasers, but as a bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free” (Eph. 6:5-8 NKJV).An object lessons in employees conduct. Labor codes will do well to have these pronouncement from the learned apostle as basis.

More Rules of Conduct

“Let as many bondservants as under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and his doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhorts these things” (I Tim. 6:1-2).

“Exhort bondservants to be obedient in their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:9-11).

“You who are servants should submit to your masters with proper respect-not only to the good and kind but also to the difficult… After all it is no credit to you if you are patient in bearing punishment which you have richly deserved! But if you do your duty and are punished for it and can still accept it patiently, you are doing something worthwhile in God’s sight”. (I Pet. 2:18, 20).

Employers ought not to take advantage of their employees by virtue of where they stand or where they are in the relationship. Though they may have the upper hand in the situation, it does not give them the right to oppress their employees. Otherwise, conflicts will surely arise.

Work to Earn a Living

A hired employees is expected to render service commensurate to his wages. Sad to say, but here are those who do not give their employers money’s worth. A hired worker cannot expect to always  stay in the shade. There will be times when they shall be positioned under the scorching heat of the sun. Needs painstakingly endure it. In the same manner, although a laborer is entitled to his wages, they must not short-change his employer but render them commendable service and work outputs that are proportionate to or even exceed his earned wages. Read Matt. 20:1-15. A lesson in perspective for those who plan to go on strike.