This imbalance is a complex issue with a long history. Have you ever wondered why your employer is treating you like being their property? There are some reasons behind that.
Ownership of capital. Employers own the businesses and the equipment that workers use to do their jobs. This gives them a significant amount of control over the terms of employment.
Ability to hire and fire. Employers have the power to hire and fire employees at will, meaning they can terminate an employee’s employment for any reason, or no reason at all. This gives employers a lot of leverage in negotiations with employees.
Access to information. Employers typically have more information about the business than employees do. This gives them an advantage in negotiations, as they can use their knowledge to their advantage.
Legal protections. The law often favours employers over employees. For example, in many countries, employers are not required to provide severance pay to employees who are laid off.
In this context, it is understandable why some might argue that employees should surrender to the will of their employers. After all, employers have a lot of power and employees have very little. However, it is important to remember that employees are not powerless. They can collectively bargain for better terms of employment and they can also choose to work for different employers.
So, the employment relationship is inherently unequal. Employers have more power than employees because they control the means of production and the terms of employment. This power imbalance can lead to exploitation of employees, as employers may take advantage of their workers’ financial dependence and lack of bargaining power.
One of the most common ways that employers abuse their power is by acting like masters. They may treat their employees like property, barking orders and expecting them to obey without question. They may also micromanage their employees’ work, making them feel like they are constantly being watched and judged.
Employers may also use their power to intimidate their employees. They may threaten to fire them if they do not meet unrealistic expectations, or they may make them feel like they are not valuable members of the team. This can create a climate of fear and anxiety in the workplace, which can make it difficult for employees to speak up about problems or ask for help.
It is important to remember that the employment relationship is a partnership. Both employers and employees have responsibilities. Employers have a responsibility to provide their employees with a safe and healthy work environment, to pay them a fair wage and to respect their rights. Employees have a responsibility to do their jobs to the best of their ability and to follow the rules of the workplace.
When employers act like masters, they violate the basic principles of the employment relationship. They treat their employees as less than human and they create a hostile and unhealthy work environment. This can have a negative impact on the morale, productivity and well-being of employees.
There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of employers acting like masters. One important step is to educate employers about their responsibilities. They need to understand that they cannot treat their employees like property and they need to respect their rights.
Another important step is to strengthen labour unions. Unions give workers a collective voice and bargaining power. They can also help to ensure that employers are held accountable for their actions.
It is also important to change the culture of work so that it is more respectful of workers. This means valuing the contributions of all workers, regardless of their education or skills level. It also means creating a workplace where workers feel safe and respected.
