National Boss’s Day

-October 16, 2023-

Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”

(Colossians 3:22).

Today is National Boss’s Day, a day to acknowledge, appreciate, and applaud our bosses. When I was working, I remember helping to organize it, and get a nice card we could all sign. It is the one time of year we give bosses their due.

I did some research on this special day. It falls on October 16 every year unless that date falls on a weekend, then it is observed on the next working day. I believe that honoring our bosses is very important not only once a year, but every day. They work hard, bear a great responsibility, and help us to do our jobs better, fostering team work and cooperation. We must remember that most of them have to report to someone higher up.

National Boss’s Day traces its roots back to 1958 when Patricia Bays Haroski registered National Boss’s Day with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in honor of her father who was also her employer. She created the holiday to improve office relationships between supervisors and their employees as well as raise awareness of all the hard work bosses put into their jobs. She felt younger employees didn’t appreciate their bosses enough, and knowing first hand what her father went through to make a company run smooth, set out to change that viewpoint. It wasn’t until four years later that Ohio governor Otto Kerner supported her registration that the day became a national holiday.

Paul addressed the subject of employers and employees in writing to the Colossians 3:22-4:1, and Ephesians 6:5-9. Though he spoke of bondservants and masters, which we no longer have in our modern society, it applies perfectly to bosses and employees. We have all had good bosses and bad bosses. I have found that even bad ones can turn around if treated with honor and respect. We can make their job easier by showing up on time, working hard, whether the boss is looking or not, and getting along well with our fellow employees. Our testimony at work is vital.

Paul makes it clear that we should work as unto Christ, who our true Boss. We should be low maintenance and high producers. They have enough difficult people to handle and issues to solve. Our responsibility is to be those who with fear and trembling and sincerity of heart do our jobs for the glory of God; by this we do God’s will from the heart.

What type of employee are you? A supporter or a detractor, a helper or a hinderer? Our attitude at work must stem from our relationship with Christ. There is no room for badmouthing those over us or not giving our all with a thankful spirit. Paul also addressed employers to give up threatening and showing partiality, and by being just and fair. You must remember you have a Boss in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So have a blessed day at the office or wherever you work and honor your boss today. For retirees, homemakers, or self-employed people, these principles still apply to us in our work at home, at school, and at church. Stay safe and healthy.

Working heartily as to the Lord and for the Lord,

Dean