[BJWilliams]

I havent honestly...I was on an assignment yesterday and we passed the plaque outside the AT lab and I got a little misty eyes thinking about Fumble...and my avatar is my way of remembering him and the contribution he had to FF. I wish I had more of a chance to get to know him on a personal level

[jmdickens]

BJ- have you ever considered changing the "T" in your avatar to an "F"?

[JK37]

The chancellor is well aware...

You don't know this.

The fact that the chancellor is willing to address it at all is nice, but his choice of the past tense is discouraging. I think some employees might settle for past perfect.

Expecting employees to tolerate less compensation, or accept new or different responsibilities simply for the sake of the ministry they should feel blessed to serve, doesn't compute when they are treated less than respectably. How does one feel blessed to serve a ministry when that ministry is itself less than service- or people-centric?

To me, just based on what I've read here, this seems to be a primary query given the circumstances.

[Purple Haize]

Don't even get me started on the 'Its a ministry' line.

[JK37]

16 Ways to build positive work environments:

Develop people.
Know what they do best and leverage it.
Clearly define expectations.
Trust them to act.
Support them when they fail.
Always give credit and take blame. No one likes seeing a blamer.
Believe in them – you’re on their team.
See opportunities more than problems.
Help find solutions.
Keep out of the way.
Encourage, enable, and inspire.
Protect from bureaucracy.
Value them as individuals.
Don’t talk about yourself, too much. Let people know you, however.
Don’t talk on and on ….
Make people feel listened to by asking more than stating.

Which one(s) do you find most valuable in your own workplace?

[Purple Haize]

16 Ways to build positive work environments:

Develop people.
Know what they do best and leverage it.
Clearly define expectations.
Trust them to act.
Support them when they fail.
Always give credit and take blame. No one likes seeing a blamer.
Believe in them – you’re on their team.
See opportunities more than problems.
Help find solutions.
Keep out of the way.
Encourage, enable, and inspire.
Protect from bureaucracy.
Value them as individuals.
Don’t talk about yourself, too much. Let people know you, however.
Don’t talk on and on ….
Make people feel listened to by asking more than stating.

Which one(s) do you find most valuable in your own workplace?

Can you send this to the current POTUS?
Ok I know....

[Cider Jim]

we passed the plaque outside the AT lab and I got a little misty eyes thinking about Fumble...and my avatar is my way of remembering him and the contribution he had to FF.

And one of our best Quiz Bowlers ever!

[JLFJR]

The chancellor is well aware...

You don't know this.

The fact that the chancellor is willing to address it at all is nice, but his choice of the past tense is discouraging. I think some employees might settle for past perfect.

Expecting employees to tolerate less compensation, or accept new or different responsibilities simply for the sake of the ministry they should feel blessed to serve, doesn't compute when they are treated less than respectably. How does one feel blessed to serve a ministry when that ministry is itself less than service- or people-centric?

To me, just based on what I've read here, this seems to be a primary query given the circumstances.

In past years, we used to hear the "it's a ministry" line a lot, usually when we asked employees to work at least as hard as their counterparts in the secular world but I haven't heard that excuse for slacking in a long time. I think, for the most part, our employees are going the extra mile and performing above and beyond what is expected of them and we are blessed to be able to reward them financially. We certainly do not expect anyone to work for less than what they deserve because of Liberty's Christian mission. That's one of the reasons we are devoting so much time and effort to finding what comparable employees are earning at comparable institutions and adjusting our compensation levels accordingly.

[Purple Haize]

The classic Management v Worker point of contrast. Secular Work Environment v Ministry Work Environment. Potato v Potatoe
That is not doubting the veracity of the statement or desire. Just it's implementation or lack there of by others.

[adam42381]

The chancellor is well aware...

You don't know this.

The fact that the chancellor is willing to address it at all is nice, but his choice of the past tense is discouraging. I think some employees might settle for past perfect.

Expecting employees to tolerate less compensation, or accept new or different responsibilities simply for the sake of the ministry they should feel blessed to serve, doesn't compute when they are treated less than respectably. How does one feel blessed to serve a ministry when that ministry is itself less than service- or people-centric?

To me, just based on what I've read here, this seems to be a primary query given the circumstances.

In past years, we used to hear the "it's a ministry" line a lot, usually when we asked employees to work at least as hard as their counterparts in the secular world but I haven't heard that excuse for slacking in a long time. I think, for the most part, our employees are going the extra mile and performing above and beyond what is expected of them and we are blessed to be able to reward them financially. We certainly do not expect anyone to work for less than what they deserve because of Liberty's Christian mission. That's one of the reasons we are devoting so much time and effort to finding what comparable employees are earning at comparable institutions and adjusting our compensation levels accordingly.

You either missed the point that what was being made or were being intentionally smug and condescending. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. To clarify, employees were likely hearing the "it's a ministry" line when they wanted more money. It's the classic line that churches and Christian schools have used for years to justify paying very little for valuable services.

[EagleOne]

"We also have full-time staff now whose only responsibility is to constantly compare the pay of Liberty employees to the pay of employees in comparable jobs at comparable institutions.

But, adjusting pay alone is only part of changing the culture. The day is fast approaching that Liberty will not have one employee who is not being paid the full market value for his or her services. "


This current focus on pay is really odd if the issue in the past was primarily employee slacking.

[JLFJR]

You either missed the point that what was being made or were being intentionally smug and condescending. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. To clarify, employees were likely hearing the "it's a ministry" line when they wanted more money. It's the classic line that churches and Christian schools have used for years to justify paying very little for valuable services.[/quote]

Liberty employees were not hearing that, at least not from anyone in top management. Don't say they were "likely hearing" it because employees at other schools heard it. Your post assumed facts that don't exist at Liberty. When Liberty paid less than it would have liked to pay in years past, it was simply because finances were tight. On the other hand, we did often hear from employees that they shouldn't be as accountable as others because "it was a ministry" but like I said, that was many years ago.

Your statement:
"Expecting employees to tolerate less compensation, or accept new or different responsibilities simply for the sake of the ministry they should feel blessed to serve"
-left the impression that Liberty management had that attitude. We do not.

[JLFJR]

"We also have full-time staff now whose only responsibility is to constantly compare the pay of Liberty employees to the pay of employees in comparable jobs at comparable institutions.

But, adjusting pay alone is only part of changing the culture. The day is fast approaching that Liberty will not have one employee who is not being paid the full market value for his or her services. "


This current focus on pay is really odd if the issue in the past was primarily employee slacking.

Who said there was a big problem with employee slacking? I only said we would hear that from some (and it was very few many years ago) when they were slacking and I only brought it up because JK incorrectly implied that LU management's attitude was that employees should do more for less because it's a ministry. I had never heard that line used by management, only by the few employees many years ago who were looking for an easy ride.

[NotAJerry]

You either missed the point that what was being made or were being intentionally smug and condescending. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. To clarify, employees were likely hearing the "it's a ministry" line when they wanted more money. It's the classic line that churches and Christian schools have used for years to justify paying very little for valuable services.

Liberty employees were not hearing that, at least not from anyone in top management. Don't say they were "likely hearing" it because employees at other schools heard it. Your post assumed facts that don't exist at Liberty. When Liberty paid less than it would have liked to pay in years past, it was simply because finances were tight. On the other hand, we did often hear from employees that they shouldn't be as accountable as others because "it was a ministry" but like I said, that was many years ago.

Your statement:
"Expecting employees to tolerate less compensation, or accept new or different responsibilities simply for the sake of the ministry they should feel blessed to serve"
-left the impression that Liberty management had that attitude. We do not.

I've got a close friend, a former student/RA at Liberty, who just left his professorship at LU because of that kind of attitude toward him. I could point to another one who worked at LU for nearly a decade after graduating who finally got fed up with how employees are treated. Both of them still love Liberty and have increased their giving to the university even after leaving. You've got a few people in this thread, now former Liberty employees, who have also mentioned that attitude towards them. As far as I've seen, they've all been extremely respectful and simply want to see Liberty treat employees in a respectful manner.

Liberty has treated employees as expendable and not worthy of trust. You can claim that it doesn't exist, but there's concrete evidence to the contrary in this thread from people who love the university and hold no ill will towards it. Liberty should stand out as an employer the way that a company like Google does as far as employee satisfaction goes. Currently, it appears to be far away from that.

[Purple Haize]

Who said there was a big problem with employee slacking? I only said we would hear that from some (and it was very few many years ago) when they were slacking and I only brought it up because JK incorrectly implied that LU management's attitude was that employees should do more for less because it's a ministry. I had never heard that line used by management, only by the few employees many years ago who were looking for an easy ride.

I think this is a good clarifying post, because it did appear in the earlier one you were saying that the Employees were slacking because they approached it as a 'Ministry'
As for the highlighted part, I know of 3 separate occasions where these exact words were used. Not by you or your father, because I genuinely believe that you do not feel this way, but others who work there. Liberty has come LIGHT YEARS ahead in compensation and like any other entity pays who they want to pay what they want to pay them. On the whole compensation levels are much more in line with like entities.
You are The Boss. I'm sure it would be suprising what does and doesn't make it to your door. I will say, knowing numerous ex-LU Employees and working with a current one, money was about 3 or 4 on their reasons for leaving. You're a smart man, despite what Sly says behind your back , and probably don't need to be harangued like this and are perfectly capable of guiding the Good Ship Liberty.

[EagleOne]

Who said there was a big problem with employee slacking? I only said we would hear that from some (and it was very few many years ago) when they were slacking and I only brought it up because JK incorrectly implied that LU management's attitude was that employees should do more for less because it's a ministry. I had never heard that line used by management, only by the few employees many years ago who were looking for an easy ride.

The only time I've heard the "it's a ministry' line was years ago and it was used as a reason salaries were lower here compared to similar positions in secular businesses. And I know a quite a few people who knew this going in and were OK with it since they wanted to work in ministry and were willing to work for less since they had other motivations other than just financial gain.
That said, that was years ago and it's good to hear that salaries at the university are being evaluated and adjusted to comparable levels and one can now work in ministry and still get compensated fairly.

[JLFJR]

You either missed the point that what was being made or were being intentionally smug and condescending. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. To clarify, employees were likely hearing the "it's a ministry" line when they wanted more money. It's the classic line that churches and Christian schools have used for years to justify paying very little for valuable services.

Liberty employees were not hearing that, at least not from anyone in top management. Don't say they were "likely hearing" it because employees at other schools heard it. Your post assumed facts that don't exist at Liberty. When Liberty paid less than it would have liked to pay in years past, it was simply because finances were tight. On the other hand, we did often hear from employees that they shouldn't be as accountable as others because "it was a ministry" but like I said, that was many years ago.

Your statement:
"Expecting employees to tolerate less compensation, or accept new or different responsibilities simply for the sake of the ministry they should feel blessed to serve"
-left the impression that Liberty management had that attitude. We do not.

I've got a close friend, a former student/RA at Liberty, who just left his professorship at LU because of that kind of attitude toward him. I could point to another one who worked at LU for nearly a decade after graduating who finally got fed up with how employees are treated. Both of them still love Liberty and have increased their giving to the university even after leaving. You've got a few people in this thread, now former Liberty employees, who have also mentioned that attitude towards them. As far as I've seen, they've all been extremely respectful and simply want to see Liberty treat employees in a respectful manner.

Liberty has treated employees as expendable and not worthy of trust. You can claim that it doesn't exist, but there's concrete evidence to the contrary in this thread from people who love the university and hold no ill will towards it. Liberty should stand out as an employer the way that a company like Google does as far as employee satisfaction goes. Currently, it appears to be far away from that.

NAJ, you are making a blanket statement about what is happening at Liberty today based on (1) how former employees were treated years ago and (2) the feelings of a very small minority of recent former employees who I believe are the exception, not the rule. We have over 6000 employees so, if even a small percentage believe that Liberty is a bad place to work, it would not be surprising that you would hear about it because a small percentage of 6000 is still a lot of human beings. I said in an earlier post that we still have a long way to go. Liberty's inability to make employee relations a priority in the past due to financial pressures created a culture that has been difficult to change but we are committed to changing it. And I believe we have come a long way in a short period of time. Give Ron Kennedy a call sometime. He has been in charge of our efforts to make changes and improvements in this area for a couple of years. I think he would be glad to give you details about what is being done.

Thanks PH, RI and Eagle One for your patience and understanding!

[Purple Haize]

I would caution not to equate employee relations and money. I'm sure you know that and since you seem to be doing a fairly decent job running this joint I guess we will let you continue in that role for awhile longer. But be sure to check in frequently just so we can keep tabs on your progress.

[JLFJR]

I would caution not to equate employee relations and money. I'm sure you know that and since you seem to be doing a fairly decent job running this joint I guess we will let you continue in that role for awhile longer. But be sure to check in frequently just so we can keep tabs on your progress.

Got it. I was using "employee relations" as a catch-all term to cover all the employee issues discussed here.

I'll continue to check in. When is my FF annual assessment?

[Purple Haize]

I would caution not to equate employee relations and money. I'm sure you know that and since you seem to be doing a fairly decent job running this joint I guess we will let you continue in that role for awhile longer. But be sure to check in frequently just so we can keep tabs on your progress.

Got it. I was using "employee relations" as a catch-all term to cover all the employee issues discussed here.

I'll continue to check in. When is my FF annual assessment?

Well have our Admin Ast contact you 72 hours prior to your assessment at which time they will inform you what documentation you will need to bring with you. . And donuts. Lots of donuts.

[JLFJR]

Haven't you noticed I'm on a diet? No donuts for me.

[Purple Haize]

Haven't you noticed I'm on a diet? No donuts for me.

Bring the Diet Ones. They have the hole in the middle.

[JK37]

It's a minor thing, but still important to point out that due to a typographical error, I have been given credit for words I did not write. My comments have been of a nature to summarization of the content of previous posters, thereby facilitating better conversation.

I possess multiple degrees and specializations in leadership theory. I have no idea what the current work climate is at Liberty, but I know it was quite poor in some cases years ago. Check my posts on this and related topics; you'll find my comments have always been less specific and more theoretical in nature - more commentary on what I observe here than anything else.

Just clarifying. Carry on...

[El Scorcho]

Give Ron Kennedy a call sometime. He has been in charge of our efforts to make changes and improvements in this area for a couple of years. I think he would be glad to give you details about what is being done.

Did he get moved over to HR from Marketing?

[Humble_Opinion]

Give Ron Kennedy a call sometime. He has been in charge of our efforts to make changes and improvements in this area for a couple of years. I think he would be glad to give you details about what is being done.

Did he get moved over to HR from Marketing?

Yes... he is SVP of Marketing