I’VE BEEN ON THE PLANET long enough to have close friends and family who are facing what they say feels like age discrimination on the job.
I find myself thinking about that lately and wondering what the Bible has to say about it, if anything.
A few observations that started my thinking:
My dad’s generation of employees often enjoyed the protection of unions. At a price, of course. But as a general rule, at least as far as I could tell, workers who stuck with the company reaped the benefits and the security in their final years on the job…as they approached retirement—proud of the job they had done and of how long they worked for the same company.
My generation of employees usually enjoys the protection of no one and his brother. Unions are gone, or about as effective as a squirt gun at a knife fight.
People of my generation are headed into what used to be the Big Cash years at the top of the pay scale, when the kids are grown and the parents can finally stash away some money for themselves.
These are not, however, the Big Cash years anymore.
These are the Big Crash years.
Here’s what happens. A teacher in his early 60s who has a long and well-established record of success in teaching suddenly gets a note from the school’s new vice principal. The senior teacher is on probation for 30 days.
The administration wants to see improvement in the lesson plans and performance in the class.
Discussions between the teacher and the vice principal leave the teacher to conclude that the administrators aren’t even reading the submitted lessons plans.
Probation gets extended for another 30 days.
Eventually, the pressure overcomes the teacher. He “retires,” to the obvious relief of the administrators.
Not quite retired, he immediately starts looking for another job…which most likely will involve a sharp drop in pay—the Big Crash.
That assumes he can find a job at his age.
This is not a hypothetical. I’ve seen this happen.
We can’t know the motives of others, but another teacher friend of mine said it’s probably about the money. The school can take the top salary of one senior teacher and hire two or three young teachers fresh out of college.
This happens in all fields. I’ve seen it happen in nursing, in business, and even in the church.
Everyone thought it was risky for me to leave my editing job with a denominational headquarters. But I’m told that one of my replacements got forced into early retirement. No surprise there. I had seen the same thing happen to others …which became one line-item on my list of reasons not to stay there.
I’m also thinking that this is the best time in history to be self-employed. At least I know that no one but God has my back. I know it’s up to me, since people no longer tend to stand up for each other.
At least that’s my general observation, hoping there are exceptions to the rule.
I wanted to see what the Bible had to say about how we should treat employees who have stayed with us long enough to have reached the top of the pay scale.
I found nothing specific.
But I did trip over a few general principles I’d like to pass along to the principals…and to other job creators skilled at the butcher’s craft of creating two jobs from one by slaughtering the one.
- “Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well” (1 Timothy 5:17). (OK, those “elders” are church leaders. But I can make the jump if you can.)
- “If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift” (Romans 4:4).
- “Show respect for older people” (Leviticus 19:32).
- “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23).
Wouldn’t it have been unsettling if Jesus, in that parable of the Good Servant, had said,
“Thanks for all you’ve done to help make this company what it is today. But I’m afraid that for the sake of the company I have to let you go. I’ve reserved a room for your going away party at Jack’s Crab Shack.”
On the other hand, that company exec might feel vindicated by another parable—one praising a shrewd and shady businessman.
The businessman knew he was about to get canned. So to make lots of friends—and to open up more job opportunities—he forgave all the debts people owed to his master.
After telling that oddball parable, Jesus said, “The master praised his dishonest manager for looking out for himself so well. That’s how it is! The people of this world look out for themselves better than the people who belong to the light” (Luke 16:8).
I don’t think Jesus meant that as a compliment to folks devoted to themselves.
Pardon me for thinking out loud on my keyboard.
I retired early because my employer was beginning to find ways to deduct from, not add to, my accumulated pension. I got out while the getting out was good. I believe the command to “love one another” applies to the employer/employee relationship as it does all others. There should be mutual respect and a consideration for the interests of the “master” and “slave.” In our time, sadly, we are far, far from the ideal.
Sorry to hear that, Tom. I’ll add you to my list of friends who have experienced this kind of age discrimination…compliments of the Greed Creed crowd (though you gotta love them).
Good writing my friend…you just shook up all the right-wing “God Fearing – Fox News Loving” Knoxvillians out of the Magnolia trees this afternoon — I posted this on my Facebook page!
Wayne, tell your friends that my wish for them is that they stop watching the American equivalent of Russian state-run TV. My undergrad degree is in News Journalism. I know the difference between news and propaganda. I’m passionate about this because deliberate lies told over and over can and does erode the brain cells of people who should know better. I get my news from objective, written sources such as the Associated Press. You have to read to get the facts. Broadcast “news” is more opinion than helpful reporting, sad to say. Here’s your clue: if the reporter says what he thinks about the matter, turn the channel…you’re not getting objective reporting.
Steve,
As I began reading today’s thoughts from you, I could help remember that in the Torah the priest who reach the age of 50 no longer perform the priestly duty but are allowed to receive the priestly rewards.
Then, I was reminded of a quote that Pastor Phineas F. Bresee said that is often cut in half by the executives in business and church, the quote is “No Christian should ever strike against their Christian Emplyer, BUT no Christian Employer should ever not pay a living wage to their employee.” In today’s world, the senior teacher or senior empoyee gets canned to hire a younger one at less while the CEO/President increases their salary to an astronomical wage & benefit. This happens in the church as well, but in the UMC it too often happens that senior ministers not only expect a guaranteed job but a guaranteed salary no matter where they are appointed even if the local church cannot afford it. In the Church of the Nazarene, it got to the point where the pastor’s salary is paid first instead of paying the local, district, and general budgets first. Yes, we need to take care of our retired pastors, but not when some retired administrators at denomination headquarters retire with tow houses and a retirement pension that surpasses their salary. The UMC had it correct when they developed retirement facilities that went from houses/apartments to assisted living to nursing homes for their retired pastors and spouses. Tax credit for housing should be for the local churches benefit, not individual pastors or as one pastor said to his son upon retiring that when God called me he promised me $5.00 a week and everything over that is gravy.