Working Without a Paycheck

As a business owner, I have hired hundreds of people through the years. Regardless of the business environment, I have always kept my word and provided each and every one of them a paycheck. On time. Every time.

Sometimes that meant working without a paycheck for myself. Other times that meant taking money out of my personal account and putting it into the business account so I wouldn’t bounce a paycheck.

To me, the most serious bond between employer and employee is the promise of the employer to pay the employee for the work that they have performed. For me it’s more than a promise. It’s a covenant. A promise is a one-sided declaration by an individual to do something, whereas a covenant is a formal, binding, two-way agreement between two parties that establishes a solemn relationship with mutual obligations and commitments. 

My employees always come first. That is the solemn bond I have with them. They get paid before insurance, utility bills, rent, inventory, and vendors. 

In a few days, on October 12, more than 750,000 federal workers will not get a paycheck. On October 15, 1,300,000 military members will not get a paycheck.  The government has shut down and we have broken our promise to them.

Members of Congress will still get a paycheck, and I find that the ultimate betrayal. Congress has the power of the purse, and without an agreement to fund the government, they have broken their word again.

I’m not going to get into the politics of the matter. Quite honestly, I don’t care who said what or who did what. They have caused another government shut down.  And I blame all 535 of them.

I am genuinely worried how long this shutdown will affect people that serve us, protect us, and defend us. Just like a teacher on a NATO base in Belgium I know. She works for the Department of Defense teaching the kids of military officers. She won’t get a paycheck next week, but she is still working. I know a major in the US Army. He still shows up to do his job every day and he will go without paycheck next week. Another friend works for USDA as a plant inspector. He will show up and make sure the food we eat is safe, even though he’ll be buying less food this week, because there’s no money coming in this week.

I am thankful for the people who continue to keep their promises and show up for work, even if the government has broken the covenant with them…again.

#BoldBrandsWin