Most folks who delight in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens tend to concentrate on the three visiting ghosts — Scrooge’s “saviors.” In terms of Valentine’s Day, the holiday observed every February 14 to celebrate love, and friendship — including workplace friendships — a more appropriate take from that classic would be a closer look at the character of Fezziwig, Scrooge’s mentor.
Recall that the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to revisit his apprentice days in Fezziwig’s shop, which is falling prey to the Industrial Revolution. Dickens uses Fezziwig to represent communal values and moral virtues that are being swept away by economic turmoil. He is adamant about preserving a “way of life” rather than submitting to the greed of unbridled, slave-making progress.
Scrooge, who has become a very mean person, does not care about anything but himself and money. He has abandoned the mentality of the supervisor he used to admire. Fezziwig balanced corporate profits with kindness, generosity, and affection for his employees. In the celebratory scene, Scrooge gives high kudos to Fezziwig for spending money on this Valentine’s Day-type office party showing gratitude to all his workers. The Ghost is quick to underscore Scrooge’s inconsistency in the dialogue that follows.
Ghost: “He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves your praise?” Scrooge: “It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. The happiness he gives is as great as if it cost a fortune.” Suddenly, Scrooge realizes he should consider the benefits of being an honest and generous employer, as Fezziwig was, and regrets mistreating his clerk, Bob Cratchit.
Some corporate accountants advise authoritarian bosses to merge various units of an organization and ignore the demoralizing effect this would have on employees. They would learn much about true success if they encouraged local governing rather than consolidating branches to reserve all power at the top, regardless of how far removed that seat may be from the workers who are the true backbone of an institution. “If only” are the saddest words in the world when spoken in hindsight. They are also the opposite of the “love and friendship” that St. Valentine, Old Fezziwig, and Jesus himself poured out from their blood-red hearts.
Holy Homework: For the month of February, on the refrigerator door, let’s attach a red paper heart with the word “Fezzi-love” written across it. Each time we pass through the kitchen, let’s offer a prayer that corporate kindness will always triumph over corporate greed to become the true Valentine of good business, good employees, and good riddance to humbugs!
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