Jay Kersting's Blog

I have often made comments about employers NOT owing their employees health care coverage.  It is nice that many do, but it is truly NOT something that employers owe us.

However, employers DO need to follow through on the things they they did promise employees.  Employers do not need to add to the labor versus managment tension by breaking promises to their employees.

In the Kersting household, Sunday nights are "Family Movie Night" and this past Sunday we watched "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and YES, something of depth got to me in watching that movie.  Normally, if I am looking for depth in a Chevy Chase movie, I go directly to "Fletch".  Anyhow, it was Sunday night's movie that got me to this thought process.

Clark was putting in a swimming pool with his traditional Christmas bonus.  However, when his bonus arrived, he was disappointed.  I guess the "Jelly of the Month Club" is not quite as exciting as a swimming pool.  Bonuses were cancelled that year as a cost cutting measure.

Well BOO-HOO!  Clark didn't get his traditional bonus.  Waaaa!!  Was it something he was promised when he was hired?  If so, he has a legitimate complaint.  But if not, he was counting on something that was traditional, but not part of his salary package.  

OK, so I don't feel sorry for Clark W. Griswold, Jr., because I have NEVER gotten a monetary Christmas bonus.  I have gotten a turkey, a bag, a windbreaker, a fleece jacket, a fleece pullover and a hoodie (I look like the Unibomber when I wear it, so I have only worn it once).  And I have appreciated all of those gifts.  OK, some more than others....not a fan of looking like a terrorist. Anyhow, but I never expected nor depended on those gifts.  Sure, I would LOVE to get a check as a Christmas bonus, but I have learned to have low expectations.  That way I am not disappointed.

So, what does an employer owe an employee?  First, forty hours pay for forty hours work.  More for overtime.  Next, good working conditions...safe and comfortable....heat is nice in the winter.  Third, the tools to do the job properly....or let you know what you, the employee, need to provide for the job.  For example, I worked at a duck processing plant on the cut line.  They had to provide me the air powered cutters for cutting duck necks.  When the compressor died, they had to get me some snips, but could only allow me to use them for no more than two hours at a time.  That might have been an OSHA thing, but still they had to provide the right tools for the job.

Now, most importantly, an employer owes their employees what they TOLD THEM they would provide when they hired them.  If that employer offered health insurance then, they should continue to offer it to them.  They do not HAVE to, but they should do the RIGHT THING.  In fact, EVERY promise or benefit offered in an interview needs to be kept.  That is doing the right thing.

Of course, this is not a LEGAL obligation.  But morally.....that is a different story.  Too often employees chuckle at the thought of business ethics and morals.  Employers, if you wonder how your staff got there.....take a long look in the mirror and make sure you haven't contributed to this attitude.  If you have, this is the season to make good.

Ebenezer Scrooge did.

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