When Integrity Survives Exploitation

I wanted to build the kind of company my father never had the chance to work for — a company that honors and respects the dignity of work and the dignity of every man and woman. Success in business and in life is best when it is shared. (Howard Schultz)

A few years ago, I found myself deeply moved by a scene inside Macy’s, the iconic department store in New York City. Known for its grand displays and as a symbol of American capitalism, it is not typically a place for unexpected moral insight. Entering through a side door on 34th Street, I noticed a plaque on the wall. It honored employees who had completed twenty-five or fifty years of service. Longevity awards are not uncommon, but the prominence of the display — and the long list of names — struck me.

Remaining in a workplace for decades is rarely accidental. It reflects a bond built on respect, purpose, and recognition. Numerous studies confirm this intuition: the single greatest predictor of employee retention is not compensation, but the environment — specifically whether people feel valued.

Imagine a different scene. You have worked for more than twenty years at a company. Years of commitment, dedication, and quiet sacrifice — including prolonged separation from your family, who remained far away. The long-awaited day finally arrives: your farewell, and your return home. Yet your employer, usually warm and expressive, seems strangely distant. No words of gratitude, no farewell gesture, nothing to mark decades of loyalty.

You return home puzzled and disappointed. Weeks later, the same employer appears at your door, smiling warmly, embracing you, and opening suitcases full of gifts for you and your family. Your confusion only deepens.

“What did you think on the day we parted, when I gave you nothing?” he asks.

You answer honestly: “We worked together for decades. I know your character — your generosity, fairness, and kindness. I assumed something serious must have happened in the business, and that you simply lacked the emotional space to express your gratitude. I was certain that once things settled, you would show your appreciation in your own time.”

Your employer then reveals the truth: “One of our largest clients collapsed, compromising our entire cash flow. We could not secure credit. We even considered........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)