Valuing People Over Profits And Money Making

In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to prioritize profits over the well-being of employees. However, as Christians, we are called to a higher standard—one that values individuals as God’s creations. The recent news of football players being overworked to the point of considering a strike serves as a reminder of this truth. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has been calling for action to alter the congested football calendar, especially with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup proposed for next summer. At the end of the day, football organizations are entertainment companies. And more events mean more money, but at what cost?

Jesus asked, “what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” The PFA leaders revealed that players, despite their wealth, feel burnt out and undervalued. A study focused on young players warned how much stress their bodies are under. It highlighted the number of minutes Real Madrid and England’s Jude Bellingham has played before he is 21. The midfielder, still just 20, has played 18,486 minutes in his career, compared to the 3,929 David Beckham played and 6,987 minutes Frank Lampard played at the same age. This desire to stage more games (and increase revenue) raises several ethical concerns.

Navigating ethical dilemmas in business, such as balancing profit with employee well-being, requires wisdom and integrity. There are many solutions to this problem, but the first step is for the organizations to love the players more than profits. You can not continue to try to win at all costs. As you go about your business endeavors, reflect on how you can prioritize the well-being of yourself, your partners and employees. Are there ways to adjust workloads to prevent burnout? Can you create a culture that values rest and recognizes the importance of each person’s contribution? Let’s commit to valuing people over excessive money-making.