I was at an employee recognition dinner for the Niagara Health System a few nights ago. It struck me that as the two speakers went about their speaking, many people in the room were talking. I thought it rather rude, but as I went on to listen to the first speaker, a possible reason for the talking suddenly crystalized.
From the story told by the first speaker (representing the Board of Directors), it occured to me that perhaps The Niagara Health System doesn't give a rat's ass about its employees, so the employees don't care to listen to empty praise.
The story the first speaker told was based on "The Giving Tree" - written by Shel Silverstein, I believe - and he compared the employees of the NHS to the tree in the story. Here's a synopsis of that story.
An apple tree lived in the forest. One day a young boy came to the forest and saw the apple tree. The tree said "come boy - play in my branches" - and the boy did and was happy. So was the tree. The boy would come every day and play in the apple tree's branches and rest in her shade, and eat her apples. And they were happy.
As the years went by, the boy grew older and when he came to the forest, the apple tree said "come boy - play in my branches". The boy replied "I'd like to have some fun in the city, but I need money to do that." The apple tree said "Then take my fruit and sell it in the city to get the money you need for fun." So the boy did, and he was happy. So was the tree.
The years went by and the boy was now a man. The next time he came to the forest the apple tree said "come boy - play in my branches", but the boy said "I'm too old for that. But I need to build a house for my wife and family." The apple tree said "Then use my branches to build your house." So the boy did, leaving just the trunk of the apple tree. But the apple tree was happy to help.
Years later, the boy was now a middle-aged man. He came to the forest and the apple tree said "come boy - play with me" but he said "I'm too old for that. I'm tired and I need to get away from this place." So the tree said "Then use my trunk to make a boat and sail away." So the boy did, leaving just the stump of the apple tree. He sailed away and the apple tree was happy - but not really.
Many years passed. One day the boy, who was now an aged old man, returned to the forest. The apple tree said "Hello boy - I'm sorry I have nothing left to offer you" and the boy said "I'm old now and I need somewhere to rest" So the apple tree straightened up her stump and said "Then sit on my stump." So he did, and the apple tree was happy.
The speaker then said to the assembled employees of the Niagara Health System something along the lines of:
"You, the employees of the NHS, are like the apple tree. You work in a demanding environment, with fewer resources and you are called upon to give and give. And just when you think you can't give any more, you always come through - and we appreciate and thank you for that."
It sounds an awful lot like the folks who work at the NHS have the last bit of work ground out of them - and then some. Of course that's appreciated by management. Who wouldn't want workers like that?
Pretty much ANY employer who can recognize the difference in ability to contribute between a stump and a healthy apple tree.
Let's see - an apple tree provides branches to swing from, fruit and shade - entertainment, nourishment and comfort.
A stump provides - a seat.
An apple tree is growing, vibrant and healthy.
A stump will only rot over time.
To this speaker representing the Board of Directors, employees of the NHS are stumps. In other words, destined to rot.
Not the kind of place I'd want to work.
Let's hope the Board of Directors sends a different speaker next year.
