Monday, May 21, 2007

Monday Drama

I’m starting to not like Monday mornings. That’s not completely true, but lately, or at least the last two Mondays make me wonder what next Monday might hold.

On Friday, one of my work crew members came to me and apologized for not being honest when confronted last Monday. He did, in fact, not start work until 7:00am. He stated that he had been instructed by the Team Production Leader to stick to the story that everyone started at 6:00. I called Dan on Saturday and shared the new information with him. We both felt that we needed to let the Team Leader go.

We are a ministry that majors in second chances. Many people who work for us have messed up, but been given opportunity to keep their job and start over. This situation seemed different. This leader lied, influenced others to lie (coerced is a strong term), and stole from the company. Dan and I both felt that it would confusing for the team to have this person step down to a line crew position. She’s going to start back at our office with the prep classes and maybe we’ll be able to find her something else. We haven’t written her off, we want to help her be successful—we just can’t have her on this job.

The whole thing makes me sad. But that’s not the end of the sadness. I divvied up the leadership positions between three people: production, office, and shipping and receiving. Part of the reason that they supposedly felt the need to lie about their start time was to cover for the S/R TL coming in to work a half hour late. They couldn’t start on time without him there and then covered up his tardiness by fudging the time and leaving an hour early. I had to meet with him and give him a day off without pay. It didn’t make him happy. I have a feeling that he might quit. I’ve already started praying about that one.

It was interesting when we were confronting people about the newly discovered information about the lie and theft. The consistent reason given for “why” was that they didn’t want to “snitch.” Somehow, in their minds it was more important to not be a snitch than it was to be honest and not steal from the company. The trust they felt more loyal to was that of their peers, who would stab them in the back in a heartbeat, over their employer who demonstrates grace upon grace with them. The thinking is mind-boggling.

As we talked about it, we came up with this analogy: they would rather choose a momentary reduction of pain which results in long-term negative over momentary pain and long-term positive. They were so focused on the moment that there was no consideration for the future.

The whole thing just makes me want to go home and make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and devour the batter before it ever leaves the bowl…but know the long-term consequences of that, I think I’ll grab a bottle of water instead.

5 comments:

Erin said...

DM- You've found one of the largest issues in dealing with people who come out of a background of poverty. They do live for the day... because their whole life experience tells them that that is all they can count on. Why build a solid relationship when that person might (probably) leave/die/be taken away by a social service agency/go to jail tomorrow. Why take care of your house/apartment when you'll probably be evicted next month and have to leave anyway. Why be loyal to a boss when it's only a matter of time until you get fired anyway... and you have to get the most out of it for yourself while you can.

I actually think this is the largest part of your ministry. To show that you care even when they screw up... to show that you support them even if you have to move them into another role/programme whatever. It's not easy.

HeyJules said...

"They were so focused on the moment that there was no consideration for the future."

I agree with Wilsonian but have to add that, although it can be the reasoning, it can't be the excuse for doing something wrong.

She's right in that they do live in that mindset. However, if they ever want to remove themselves FROM that lifestyle they need to be taught that life has other perspectives from which to base your decisions and then need to be held accountable to those new perspectives. Otherwise, it's like having a twelve year old acting as he did in life when he was only two.

Erin said...

Agree with you completely, Jules. But if you're dealing with generational issues, it takes time and commitment to bring change. You're shifting the only culture they've ever known.

Hope said...

I'd have gone for the cookie dough. Good on you for choosing water instead. :)

Heidi Renee said...

Hey Daisymarie - how have I missed your blog for so long? And why haven't Erin & Hope told me about you!?!? :)

Thanks for the nice things you said on my blog - and also for the amazing work you are doing in your community. I can't wait to read more!