Have you ever worked on a job and everybody around you was getting a promotion, bonus, recognition, etc. with the exception of you? You may have noticed it more readily when you realized family members and friends in the workplace were favored over you. The bitter pill to swallow is when we have to teach those who were considered favorites the job they were assigned. What can become more stressful and frustrating is when the favorites are unqualified for the positions they are placed.
It can become very aggravating and frustrating when you witness what many would refer to as unethical hiring practices. Imagine being on a job with hopes of advancing your career when unexpectedly an outsider with the boss’s last name and no experience is promoted over you. After reviewing your annual evaluations, you realize your job performance has been outstanding in all areas of work.
Be careful, for not only will someone be placed in a position over you, it just so happens that your job may be declared vacant until a family member or friend of a business or organization can fill the position. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope when you are informed that you were being assigned to another job, but the downside is that you had no inkling or familiarity with what is expected of you.
Hold onto your seat, for the bombshell may be that you are fired for no reason, other than you do not agree with some of the business’s protocols and practices. Or, it could be simply that you believe in honesty and integrity and your CEO does not.
Just in case you have not figured it out yet, it is called nepotism. Nepotism is the practice of giving relatives or friends unfair advantages in the workplace or in other areas. It could involve giving some a job, promotion or benefits because of relationships.
The Oxford dictionary defines nepotism as the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, associates, especially by giving them jobs.
Now let’s be realistic. Any business owner would want persons employed to be loyal and trustworthy. What must be realized however is that family and friends in the workplace can create a toxic workplace.
Can you recall a college professor giving a relative or friend preferential treatment in the class? Maybe you worked hard in the class and received a B and the relative barely came to class and received an A. That may sound a little farfetched, but don’t rule it out because it has happened.
What must be understood is that nepotism can cause low morale and distrust among workers. Nepotism can also cause good employees to move into other organizations. If we are not careful, such behaviors may cause us to fall into a depressed and unhealthy state.
The reason I write this is to raise awareness relative to biases, discrimination, inequity, injustices, etc. Beware that DEI in many organizations and businesses no longer exist.
We can all agree that nepotism is wrong when it usurps due process and shows favoritism that negatively affects innocent and good people. Romans 2:11 tells us that “God shows no partiality.” We are presently witnessing preferential treatment given to the wealthy and relatives without any shame or regret.
There are many stories in the Bible where we see nepotism as an acceptable practice. We must remember that in ancient times, nepotism was not taboo. Most of us know the story about Joseph who was second in power to Pharoah. He invited his family to stay in Egypt and make it their home. When his father and brothers settled, Joseph gave them property in the best part of the land. Because of their relationship to Joseph, Jacob and his sons and families received the royal treatment. In those days, government officials could do just about anything they wanted. Because Pharoah had power, Jospeh’s family received a large piece of land. Other foreigners did not receive the same treatment. Today we would call such actions nepotism.
May we continue to pray that our government would not engage in such practices. Even though there may be anti-nepotism policies in place, it still does not prevent discrimination and injustices in the workplace.
Just my thoughts!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
