Torch, Fall 1983

6 Work Relationships by James Engelmann · Jim Engelmann is a superintendent of manufacturing with General Motors. He is responsible for I I supervisors and general supervisors who in turn direct over 200 blue collar workers . Jn a recent TORCH interview, Mr . Engelmann answered questions about employer and emp loyee relationships. These answers are not necessarily those of GM. TORCH: Mr. Engelmann , is the employer/employee relationship an adversative one? ENGELMANN: It does not have to be , but often these parties are at odds with one another. The reason for this is the basic sin nature in all of us. First , people do not like to be told what to do. Adam and Eve demonstrated this in the Garden of Eden. Secondly , most people are not prone to be hard workers . Laziness comes naturally. Thus there is conflict. In the auto industry we live by a contract. The contract spells out the work to be accomplished and the wage to be paid in return. However , if an employer were to treat his workers in an entirely biblical manner , there would be no need for contracts. Such an employer would treat his employees fairly with an honest wage for an honest day ' s work . In the same vein , if workers always labored as unto the Lord , then employers would not need a contract to insure a day ' s labor. Most of the problems that we face in the work force today \\(Ould be minimized if everyone lived by God ' s standards . TORCH: There is much in the news about new programs of employer and employee cooperation, especially in the auto industry . What is the source of these efforts and will they work? ENGELMANN: The auto industry is involved in these kinds of efforts because there is a need for them . At our plant they are called Employee Participation Groups . Simply stated , this program involves labor and management communicating closely together to build a better product. Hourly workers know their jobs well and often can creatively suggest better ways to perform a function . Better employer and employee relations is a two-lane highway with information flowing both ways. TORCH: Do workaholics make good employers and employees? ENGELMANN: Yes , they do at first. This is because they get a tremendous volume of work accomplished and usually enjoy it. But what else is suffering - the wife , the children , the church ? Eventual ly , this catches up with a person to the extent that stress at home begins to come to work . Then the workaholic is no longer a good employer or employee . TORCH: What are the marks of a good employer? ENGELMANN: As I talk to the supervisors who work for me , I tell them always to be honest with their workers. [fan employer is honest , the employee will be more inclined to reciprocate. Secondly , I expect them to be fair. The Bible helps us understand this concept when it says , Therefore all