Thriving in a Hostile Work Environment, Part 1
Several years ago, I had a job where I felt underpaid and unappreciated. I prayed for God to deliver me to something better. Year after year went by, and I continued in that position. Even though I was on the clock until five o’clock on Fridays, I usually stopped working at three. For two hours, I visited with coworkers or attended to my personal business. Occasionally, I helped myself to office supplies. The Lord never delivered me from that position. In hindsight, I understand that I didn’t deserve God’s blessings and favor. Instead of stealing hours and supplies, I should have been thriving in that position. I was in my own way. I found another job where the employer reluctantly matched my salary, and I had to pay more for benefits. The new employer treated me horribly and fired me after two miserable months.
As Christians, we are to be examples of Godly standards, even when no one is looking. If you find yourself in a hostile work environment, here’s how to position yourself to thrive:
Follow the rules. Take an hour for lunch, even though you can take an hour and a half without getting caught. Wear your name badge above the waist or wherever you’re supposed to wear it even if it interferes with your jewelry or your outfit. When you accept money from your employer, you’re agreeing to play their game, their way.
Do more than you’re paid to do. If you’re expected to produce eight widgets a day, but you can really produce 10, then produce 10! If a particular client rarely checks the work before paying, give that client the same service that you give the client who scrutinizes everything. How are you any better than your worldly coworkers if you do just enough to get by? Take a look at Colossians 3:23 which advises us to work at it with all our hearts as if we were working for the Lord.
Respect authority. Incompetent managers hire more incompetent managers, so you may have several layers of ineptitude at your job. You don’t have to like these people, and hopefully you’re not required to socialize with them outside of work. Speak to them in a respectful tone of voice. Avoid gossiping about them. Rolling your eyes, exhaling loudly or being passive aggressive is a poor reflection on your Father. As Christians, we are expected to surpass the world’s levels. We are to bless those who persecute us. Take a look at Romans 12:14.
When we don’t feel that we’re being treated well, it’s tempting to do a little less than our best. It’s easy to ignore rules that no one else follows. As social standards become cloudier, it’s easy to be disrespectful in a manner that won’t cause immediate repercussions. But our Father expects more from His daughters! He expects us to set the standard of Godliness in the workplace.
Doing these things puts you in a position to benefit from a hostile work environment. Join me next week, and I will explain in detail what you can do to flourish in any workplace.
