Arguments over entitlements burden taxpayers and legislators alike in governments worldwide. Who is responsible to pay for them? Who is responsible to decide on the deserving ones?
The issue of entitlement goes far beyond a single bounce in our bank balance. The complaints of this nature were ours from our youth. When a fellow student finds favour from the teacher, the others, less fortunate, decry that one as "teacher's pet." The derision is abundant; the social ostracism apparent. Deservedness brings social distancing from an early age.
The Harvard Business Review wrote about people quitting their jobs here. After a rundown of the timing of investigating career options and departures due to 'unhappiness' at the current job, the review finishes with retention considerations. I like the ending where the article highlights those who are given a sweetener to remain, after they've decided to move on, will usually leave anyway, and fairly soon.
Here's another review of why people leave their jobs. The issues are related to relationships with the boss, with the direction of the company, with fellow employees, etc.
When I think about what causes people to battle in the workplace, or on the bus in the morning, or at the lunch counter at the local cafe, it boils down to deservedness. "I was here first!" which translates to getting out of my place; that was mine. When the boss doesn't sing your praise at the company picnic, and you get offended, it's because you deserved the high marks AND the visible praise in front of others.
The dictionary says of deservedness that it is "justly or rightly earned; merited:"
The problem is when there is disagreement with the definition, that is when the boss and the employee don't agree on the just earned or merited high marks.
Now is the time in my state of New South Wales for end-of-year high school examinations. Students will be sitting trial HSC exams and readying for the real ones which begin at end of September. High School Certificate readying is a major theme of years 11 and 12 students and teachers alike. And at the end of the exam period, students will say they deserve a holiday at the warm-weather Gold Coast or someplace even more exotic. When their results return a few weeks later, some will argue, saying they deserve a higher mark. Others, when their results are shown, will now be entitled to a better placement due to their performance.
Today, I call on you and I call on myself. Please, let us be those who look for unmerited favour. Sometimes you get a benefit and if you think you deserve it, it's simply 'about time!' But if you are doing your job, or studying your course, or helping your neighbour because it's the right thing to do, without hope for praise, you will succeed significantly.
Of course, we want to be noticed for good things. Recognition is one of the basic human needs, according to many sociologists. But if you focus on that recognition, from other humans, rather than from God you might be an approval addict and find yourself on the short end of this throughout your life.
Entitlement gets people in trouble.
Entitlement has gotten me in trouble.
Seek to benefit others today. Just for today. You aren't even necessarily entitled to tomorrow.
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