Just recently, a particular company ruled that no employee will be allowed to take medical leave during the Chinese Lunar New Year. Should any not comply with this ruling, they will be penalised with four demerit points. The converse is also true: Should anyone not take leave, they will be awarded four reward points. Such a ruling has upset both employees and government officials. On the one hand, we can understand the concern of the company. During an earlier public holiday this year, there was a shortage of staff to attend to the needs of the customers. The company is also concerned that some who are not genuinely sick may go on leave on the pretence of being sick. It is for these reasons that such a ruling was set. Several comments are in place.

Be a Diligent Employee

First, had every employee demonstrated himself to be hardworking and honest, such a ruling perhaps would not be set. The management can argue that these employees brought this ruling upon themselves. Thus, before you grumble against your superior for being hard on you, you should also check yourself to see if you have been a good worker.

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obsure men” (Prov 22:29). Thus, if you hope to be in the good books of your boss, be faithful, work hard and strive to improve your skills. Most bosses will be happy to reward good workers.

Trust God and Do Right

On the other hand, as some employees rightly criticized: What if some are genuinely sick? Furthermore, as a restaurant owner said, he does not want sick employees to serve customers. The problem with such a high handed ruling was that you throw the baby together with the water in the tub. It was a case of using all means, even it means being unscrupulous, to get what you want. Thus, such a person will say: “To survive, I do not care if I hurt others or sin against God.” Such people feel that this is just being practical in a real world. Sadly, some Christians adopt such a philosophy of life

The Bible tells us that “unless the Lord buildsthe house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watchesover the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Psa 127:1). In another place, the Bible also says: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov 14:34). In other words, the critical key to success is not how capable you are or the prudence of your measures. As much as these are important, success lies with whether the Lord is willing to bless what you do. With regards to that, the Lord is only pleased when you do what is right and not just what is practical.

In the case of the above mentioned company, it is simply wrong not to allow employees who are genuinely sick to take medical leave. The Bible says that “through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone” (Prov 25:5). Perhaps the company could have reasoned out with and persuaded its employees. What about a Christian who is threatened by a company to tell a lie? The right response is not to sin against God but to do what is practical and right before the Lord. The Lord takes care of birds in the air, He will take care of you too (Matt 6:26).