A young Saudi wrote to me complaining that the management of the hotel, where he was working, had fired him because he grew a beard. According to him, the management felt that a beard was not suitable for a hotel employee.
When I checked with the hotel management — who were Saudi — they explained to me that the young man was working as a porter and that they had asked him to be careful of his general appearance and grooming. The management said the youth had decided to leave the job and that they had taken no decision to end his employment.
All a journalist or writer can do is present the facts. Writers have neither the time nor the authority to investigate, question witnesses and then make a judgment. This particular case, however, emphasizes the pressing need for our youth to adhere to work ethics and to bear in mind that it is by upholding those ethics that they can serve themselves and their country.
Writing to the press should not be the only option for any one who feels that he or she has been wronged. Such a move should be followed by others, in this case taking the matter up with the relevant authorities which are the ones capable of addressing the issues in a professional way. The authorities have the power and potential to investigate, question and verify the statements coming from both sides and they also have the power to decide and enforce decisions regarding the removal of any injustice.
I assume that the minister of labor and all his staff in the ministry are seriously engaged these days in a major effort to make the work of local labor offices simpler and more efficient and providing the offices with the necessary powers to carry out their responsibilities toward employees as well as employers.
Young people searching for work must know that their right to a job is linked to their ability to do the job and this means qualifications, good manners and dedication. They must also know that the employers are Saudis just as they are and that employers have their rights too. The young people must realize that both share a common interest and a common goal — serving their country.
The ministry should consider organizing forums and debates between the young people and employers so that the two sides can better understand each other, appreciate the problems facing each side and be able to exchange views on how best to arrive at mutually satisfactory solutions.
The ministry should also provide both booklets and guidelines explaining work ethics and inviting administrative experts to lecture on these and other related subjects.
Some employers care little for the humanitarian needs of their employees and may even resort to strong disciplinary action or react harshly to any shortcoming or mistake. At the same time, employees should not ignore the basic economic requirements for any successful business and should be well aware that in order for any business to succeed, its employees must be disciplined, committed and dedicated.
