Module 4 Human Resources Human Resources Hiring & Promoting People Firing & Demoting People Paying People Human Resources Hiring and Promoting People “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29 “His master replied, ‘Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Matthew 25:21 “You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:20 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” Luke 6:10 Human Resources Whose Work is the Lord Blessing? “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field” Genesis 39:5 God’s favour on a person is the result of two factors: first, a person’s character – integrity, faithfulness and hard work. This is primarily the individual’s responsibility. The second factor is the Lord’s gift of certain skills and abilities, and His choosing to bless the person’s efforts to use them. Psalm 75:6-7 reads: “promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God.” (TLB) Human Resources Firing & Demoting People Galatians 5:9 “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Prerequisites any godly owner or manager must meet before the dismissal of an employee should be considered: Have a clearly defined job description Develop a clearly defined set of job standards: time, dress, expected performance Communicate your expectations clearly in writing Communicate your dissatisfactions clearly and quickly in writing Have a correction period. And of course it is important at all times to make sure that you follow your legal obligations and procedures. Human Resources Firing & Demoting People The following list, although not exhaustive, contains the most common biblically justifiable reasons for dismissing an employee. DISHONESTY The Lord requires honesty. “You shall not steal nor deal falsely nor lie to one another.” Leviticus 19:11 DISOBEDIENCE There are many degrees of disobedience. Open rebellion is simple to identify and relatively straightforward to deal with; the employee either stops rebelling or is asked to leave the company. Subtle disobedience, however, is more difficult to identify and infinitely more difficult to control. Human Resources Firing & Demoting People LAZINESS “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 “the precious possession of a man is diligence.” Proverbs 12:27 “He who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys” Proverbs 18:9 INCOMPETENCE Maintaining people in jobs for which they are neither qualified nor motivated is a disservice to both the company and the employees, yet many Christians do so out of a misguided sense of responsibility. Human Resources Firing & Demoting People “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 In order to be compliant with the procedure for dismissal in the UK (and Northern Ireland) it is essential that the procedures required by employment law are followed. Human Resources Paying People “I will draw near to you for judgement; and I will be a swift witness against … those who oppress the wage earner in his wages...’ says the Lord.” Malachi 3:5 “All the workers you've exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you've done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it.” James 5:4 (The Message) Human Resources Paying People Recognising and rewarding good work is like watering and fertilising a valuable plant: Your investment multiplies as the plant grows faster and adds significantly more value. Competencies Time Efforts Human Resources Paying People Situational Economics “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4 Reward Loyalty and Different Abilities To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability.” Matthew 25:15 Human Resources Principles For Establishing A Recruitment Process Human Resources Principle Pray asking God to help you with recruiting responsibilities Human Resources Principle Define the job clearly Human Resources Principle Have a clear open recruitment process Human Resources Principle Hire the best person based on a good match to the job Human Resources Principle Think through crucial issues ahead of time Human Resources Principle Establish a trial probation period Human Resources Principle Examine the character of potential managers and executive team members Human Resources Questions to Consider Describe the results you’ve experienced when you’ve quickly hired someone at hand rather than patiently searching for the best possible match. What have you learned about dealing with difficult people in light of God’s love for them? Have you ever invested heavily in an employee only to have him or her leave and use that investment against you? How did you feel? Has it changed your attitude about your employees? What do you think God’s perspective is? Human Resources Questions to Consider – Digging Deeper Read Luke 6:12-13. How does this apply to you when you are looking for new employees? Read Colossians 4:1. How can an employer apply this principle? Human Resources Questions to Consider – Digging Deeper Read Luke 6:12-13. How does this apply to you when you are looking for new employees? “At about that same time he climbed a mountain to pray. He was there all night in prayer before God. The next day he summoned his disciples; from them he selected twelve he designated as apostles…” Luke 6:12-13 (The Message) Human Resources Questions to Consider – Digging Deeper Read Colossians 4:1. How can an employer apply this principle? Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1