Featured How to conduct myself at my new job?

Well, for starters, you might look at the principles that Ephesians 6:5-7 and Colossians 3:22-23 develop.

 

Virtues

God bless you in your new job!

The following has been helpful to me over the years.

"The Virtues to Which Superiors Are Enjoined" by Wilhelmus aBrakel (1635-1711)

The virtues of superiors toward subordinates are:

First, to maintain the station in which God has placed each person, to preserve respect in all dignity, and to adorn this station. "When I went out to the gate ... the young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up" (Job 29:7-8).

Secondly, tender love must be manifested in all their governing, so that it will become manifest that all is executed in a good-natured and loving manner toward the subordinates.

Thirdly, there must be a good example toward others who are in a superior position in order to teach subordinates how they must conduct themselves toward their superiors, so that one may be able to say: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Fourthly, there must be a concern for the well-being of one's subordinates in regard to soul and body, knowing that the superiors are there for the subordinates. The king is there for his subjects, the minister for the congregation, the school teacher for the children, and the master craftsman for the laborers. The subordinates also exist, however, for the benefit of the superiors, thereby upholding them in their station, which in turn is to the benefit of the subordinates. "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith" (1 Timothy 5:8); "children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children" (2 Corinthians 12:14).

Fifthly, the subordinates must be instructed, exhorted, rebuked, and if necessary, be punished in order to mend their ways and preserve them. "Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4); "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24).

Sixthly, the weaknesses of subordinates must be overlooked and patiently endured; the heart may not be withdrawn from them for this reason. "I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him" (Malachi 3:17).

“The Virtues Enjoined of Subordinates" by Wilhelmus aBrakel (1635-1711)

The virtues of subordinates to superiors are the following:

First, they must be honored. This includes:

1. Having respect for superiors as having been placed over them by God. "Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake" (1 Thessalonians 5:13).

2. Subjection to them as being subject to God. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God" (Romans 13:1).

3. The obligation of paying homage to them in words and gestures, doing so either by bowing, the uncovering of one's head, or in a different manner -- all according to the custom of the land.

Secondly, they must be loved -- not only as fellow men, but also relative to that relationship. Even if the person is not lovable and behaves himself unworthy of either love or esteem, he must nevertheless be loved in that relationship as having been placed over us. It is the ordinance of God to love them--it pleases God, and it is also very beneficial.

Thirdly, there must be faithfulness in maintaining the relationship to the superior in all that this relationship mandates.

1. As much as possible, we as subordinates must preserve their belongings and give diligence that they be not wasted due to our carelessness.

2. We must render every service which this relationship toward the superior requires. "Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity" (Titus 2:10).

3. We must support our superiors according to our ability or as far as the relationship obligates us to do so. "But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents" (1 Timothy 5:4). David did this (1 Samuel 22:3), as well as the Lord Jesus (John 19:26).

4. We must promote the honor of our superiors, and not tolerate their being despised.

Fourthly, we must obey them; that is, comply with their orders and diligently execute them. "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother" (Proverbs 1:8); "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh" (Colossians 3:22). This is not only true when their government is gentle and good-natured (as it ought to be), but also when they are forward [difficult to deal with] and cruel. If superiors commit evil, they are accountable. The subordinate must, however, be obedient--not only because this is right and desirable, but also because the superior demands this, his injunction being regulative for the subordinate. "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward" (1 Peter 2:18). There is only the following exception: If they command what is contrary to God's law, one may not obey them. Then the direction of Peter is in force: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye" (Acts 4:19).

Fifthly, we must have patience with their weaknesses. They are people, and for the most part are without grace. They give offense, live ungodly lives, and do not behave themselves well toward subordinates. We must pity them for this and pray for them. The latter is particularly true of those who fear the Lord. "Despise not thy mother when she is old" (Proverbs 23:22). To mock with them is the work of Ham (Genesis 9:22, 25).

 

No offense intended but I think you overthink things way to much. Just do your job and go with the flow.

 

Be dependable. The greatest ability is dependability. Show up every day on time.

Take your breaks and lunch, but be punctual, as soon as break is over, go right back to work.

Work hard and keep your mouth shut, you are not paid to talk. Do your very best, just as if you are working for the Lord himself (you are).

Folks are going to do things that vex you, such as tell dirty jokes on occasion, ignore it and do your job.

In time you will make friends, and then you can tell them about the Lord. But be sensitive, if they don't want to talk about the Lord, let it go, don't be pushy. Sometimes the best thing is just to invite them to church, especially if they are going to have a dinner. Then you can talk to them about the Lord.

 

Basically a good way to keep a job and honor the Lord at work. When at work, one is there to work. The problems I have seen that gets folks in trouble over the years very seldom has to do with performance. I have seen maybe less than five let go for unsatisfactory performance in 47 years of work. Most often, it has to do with attitude and attendance. To focus on specific problems, the main one is a constant pattern of calling in sick. Some jobs have sick leave, and these types usually call in as one day builds up. It puts a burden on the rest of the crew to make up the work. The other problem in modern day society is using the cell phone and internet during work hours for personal use.

You mentioned breaks and lunch. I take those when I should. I do not work through them, neither do I work "off the clock" for free to catch up. At times, I will work on medical records online at home, but take comp time.

Another problem that was mentioned was cursing and inappropriate behavior. That is much less of a problem than it use to be. Offensive words are considered harassment, and reporting it to your supervisor, or above him if necessary, will put a stop to it.

What is so hard to understand is that it is a gift of the Lord for the talent one has to do the job and a place to perform it. That is how one supports their family. Given that, why is it so hard to understand that while at work, one is there to work.

 

DO NOT complain about your fellow workers. This is bad advice. Just keep your mouth shut and do your job.

And you said in another post that you talked about suing your employer. DON'T EVER do that either. They take that sort of talk very seriously and you will be out the door the first time you mess up.

 

I think you have me mixed up with someone else about suing an employer. Either that or I do not remember posting it. As far as complaining about other workers, I do not agree. If cursing is affecting my ability to do a job, I would not run into HR and complain. I would follow the pattern for church discipline. First, I would ask them to stop with the language or offensive behavior around me. If that did not work, I would take a coworker with me. If that failed, then I would take the matter up with management.

I cannot follow your reasoning about being scared to stop it. Everyone has the right to a safe, harassment free work environment.

 

I have no dog in the fight but I believe Winman is right about this one. As bad as I hate to be around people that cuss, one must remember the people around you for the most part out in the world will be worldly people. If you call their hand by snitching on them you will make a enemy for life and they will find some way to pay you back.

 

Do what you're told, and understand that the political climate has made it very difficult for any business to maintain the staffing they need. That part is only going to get worse.

 

I was not saying you said anything about suing your employer, Evangelist said that himself in another post. Sorry if I made it appear you said that.

But I would be very careful about complaining about fellow employees. It is better to simply ignore things like dirty jokes. If you do not laugh they will get the message. But if you complain to management you are going to create a hostile working environment for yourself. They will watch everything you do and say, and report you every chance they get. Pretty soon you will be given your walking papers. No, mind your business and don't laugh and they will get the message you do not participate in this kind of behavior.

 

Yes, that is exactly the point I was trying to make. :thumbs:

If you make yourself hated, your employer is faced with the option of firing many employees that offend and are offended by you, or simply firing you. Guess what decision they are going to make?