Restoring Relationships in the Workplace --Thank God it’s Monday! Agenda: o A pictorial of interesting jobs o Workplace stories adapted from the Bible

Restoring Relationships in the Workplace--Thank God it’s Monday!

Agenda:

oA pictorial of interesting jobs

oWorkplace stories adapted from the Bible

oThe workforce today

oThe workforce of tomorrow

oOffice dynamics

oTypes of coworkers

oSeven-step process to restore relationships

oWhat God has to say


No matter your job,

thank the Lord it is

not testing the strength

of underarm deodorants.


Heston rowing with coworkers Children factory workers in early 1800’s


Sweat Shops in China Cleaning Sewer


Poultry factory workers


Blowing up rubber duckies





Adam & Eve

Major rule violation

by two employees,

resulting in immediate

embarrassment and relocation

without benefits.


Joseph

The boss’s favorite employee,

hated by his immediate superiors,

and forced to relocate.

Years later his superiors

had to report to him,

and the boss was happy

to have him back.


David and Goliath

Despite lies

by his immediate supervisor,

and told he was unqualified

by the boss,

young employee takes on

company’s biggest competitor

and gets a head.


Workforce profile today:Millennials (Born 1982 to 2004) Most enthusiastic Tech savvy High in productivity Not best team players About the money Generation X (Born 1965 – 1981) Effective managers Great revenue generators Very adaptable Will leave if no flexibility Baby Boomers (Born 1946 – 1964) High in productivity Hardworking Great mentors Big on healthcare benefits Lowest in collaboration Retiring 10,000 a day; creating 30 million jobs by 2020


50 billion jobs as we know them today will disappear by 2030:

oTechnology and robotics are driving change in transportation, with goal to eliminate taxi, limo, bus, mail delivery, FedEx, UPS, railroad and truck drivers

oOpen Courseware movement creating a teacherless education system

o3D printers are making it cheaper to make one item as it is to produce a thousand items


Employee workforce dynamics:

o54% say they like their coworkers

o55% - 70% are disengaged -- tearing down engaged workers

o71% do not feel valued in their jobs

o30-year-old Millennials are being paid less today than 30 year olds back in 1980


Types of coworkers:

The Slacker

oExplain respectfully how they are affecting you – with you having to possibly do their work

oIf this person has authority to delegate work, explain your current load and kindly request their understanding


Types of coworkers:

Disagreeable

oSome people are always right

oAvoid if possible, but be pleasant when you have to interact

oAvoid involving your supervisor unless required


Types of coworkers:

The Office Bully

oOften target those they see as a threat

oDo not let them isolate you or make you feel bad about yourself

oWalking away from them has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with strength


Types of coworkers:

The Gossip

oBe friendly, but act busy, and they should get the message you have better things to do

oThough they can act as the office grapevine, do not ever comment or add fuel to their behavior

o“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths…” Ephesians 4:29


Types of coworkers:

Whiners and Complainers

oThey tend to see the negative side of everything

oComplaining may be their way to solve stress about things they have no control over, or to simply to get attention

oBe empathetic, but put the problem back on them


Types of coworkers:

Backstabbers

oThey tend to withhold information from those they seek as rivals

oIf someone is intentionally trying to make you look bad, check in regularly with your supervisor on your job performance

oPray for them. Put the situation in God’s hands


Types of coworkers:

The Bully

oIf you are being bullied, you are not alone

oTell the bully in a calm and confident manner that they are being offensive and give them an opportunity to correct their behavior, but, prepare for consequences since it typically escalates once exposed

oGod speaks on being bullied in Romans 8:31-39


Workplace ethics and integrity issues

oSay “no” to any requests that even approach a line of wrong or against policies

oIf you feel a constant pressure from coworkers to compromise, it may be time to change coworkers

oReport any wrongdoing to your supervisor

oGod speaks on dishonesty in Proverbs 29:27


Getting along with the boss

oProblems with a boss are emotionally and physically draining, which stem from work style or personality differences

oFirst step is figure out what they are doing to upset you

oSecondly, ask why, looking at it from both sides

oDecide how to discuss it, avoiding blaming, accusing or venting, and using the “we” approach

oHonor God and your boss, as found in Romans 13:7


Dealing with harassment or discrimination

oBoth are illegal and come in many forms. Keep a detailed log of the person’s behavior. The EEOC can offer you assistance

oYour religious freedom is protected by federal law called “Title VII. Consult it for advice


Being passed over for a promotion

oIt never feels good, be gracious, and do not complain to others

oMeet with boss to learn specific items required to earn the promotion

oDevelop a plan of action with boss and schedule meetings to go over progress


Making mistakes

oThey happen to everyone at some point

oAdmit them and apologize

oDon’t offer excuses or try to cover them up

oOffer solutions as soon as possible and fix the problem on your own time

oForgive yourself and move on


Step One of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Observe and acknowledge what happened

oBetrayal is experienced as a loss

oTo heal and rebuild trust, it’s important to acknowledge that loss

oRecognize its impact on you and them

oExample…gossiping and it gets back to that person…


Step Two of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Allow feelings to surface

oGive yourself permission to feel your emotions and express them

oWrite them down, talk them through with a close friend or coworker, or release through them exercise

oExample…criticizing a subordinate’s work in a staff meeting…


Step Three of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Get and give support

oIt you are the one hurt, ask for help from a non-judgmental coworker, manger, or mentor in recognizing where you faulted.

oShift the blaming to problem-solving. Do this before you speak to those you hurt

oIf you hurt someone else, follow Step Two in acknowledging what you are feeling or what was going on at that time


Step Four of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Reframe the experience

oLook at the bigger picture

oTake into account the “human factor” on both sides – what were the reasons for the decision

oAre physical factors contributing to your reaction or behavior.

oConsider the choices and now opportunities, including benefits

oExample…reframing the experience of gossiping…


Step Five of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Taking responsibility

oYou are not responsible for others’ behaviors, but you are responsible for your reaction

oOwn up to your mistakes, acknowledge the lessons learned, and ask how you can help to improve the situation

oExample…judging a couples’ personal relationship, gossiping, and being wrong …


Step Six of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Forgive yourself and others

oForgiving does not mean excusing

oDetermine what needs to happen for forgiveness to take place

oRelease yourself from anger, fear and grief

oIf you are the one that needs to be forgiven, don’t expect it, but you could ask, ”Is there anything I can do so you can forgive me?”

oMost important: Forgive yourself


Step Seven of Seven -- in mending broken relationships:

Let go and move on

oAcknowledge what you have learned, and move on

oIf you are the betrayer, promise not to repeat the hurtful act to the person wronged

oShare your understanding of the impact of your actions and lessons learned; how bad you feel


For all circumstances: “…With God on your side, how can you lose…? Roman 8:31-39 MSG

Anger: “Be even tempered…quick to forgive.” Colossian 3:13 MSG

Bullies: “When someone gives you a hard time, respond with prayer…” Luke 6:28 MSG

Forgiveness: “You cannot get forgiveness from God without forgiving others.” Matthew 6:14-15 MSG

Liars: “God can’t stomach liars, he loves the company of those who keep their word.” Proverbs 12:22

Gossip: “The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble…” Proverbs 12:13


For all circumstances: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply in peace. IN this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33 MSG

Prayer solves all: “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. Respond in prayer.” Luke 6:27-30 MSG

Faults: Do not pick on people, jump on their failures or criticize their faults, unless you want the same treatment…” Luke 6:37-38 MSG

Hate: “So do not be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.” I John 3:13 MSG


To summarize, in our suggested 7-step process :

1.Yes, I am aware of my presentation’s lacks

2.I have forgiven myself

3.I will reach out for future advice

4.The bigger picture: Thank goodness public speaking is not my sole profession

5.I am taking full responsibility

6.Please accept my apology

7.Now let’s move on…and go eat some lunch

“Thank God it’s Monday!” in just two days, so we can begin applying what God desires of us in restoring our workplace relationships.

Documents

Restoring Relationships in the Workplace --Thank God it’s Monday! Agenda: o A pictorial of interesting jobs o Workplace stories adapted from the Bible