I  have been told several times that I have a certain tone of voice which is upsetting to people. I do not yell, nor do I scream at people but I seem to have a tone which strikes fear into some. I find it a very suitable weapon in my arsenal and use it at strategic points in my life.

Recently I realized that one of the companies I worked for had failed to pay me. They should have cut me a check before Christmas. I kept checking my direct deposit and found no deposit from them. I wasn’t angry, more perplexed by the situation. This was not a company I did a lot of work for so it didn’t make a huge difference in my income. However,  I do not allow people to cheat me so I knew I was going to have to address it.

I said a prayer before I made the call to contact payroll. I was put on hold for several minutes before I got to payroll. When the young man answered the call I informed him that I had not received my paycheck. He asked me my name, which I told him and then he put me on hold for several more minutes. He came back and said they had missed my name on the list. He said he couldn’t direct deposit it in my bank. I questioned why that was the case because I had another company which did this and deposited my paycheck before the holiday. (My tone was starting to become a bit firm). He said, “No he meant he was going to drive it to my bank and deposit it in my account.” I don’t use a local bank for my financial dealings so that wasn’t possible. (My tone was becoming more ominous). He said he would cut me a paper check and mail it to my address. I confirmed my address with him, expressed my gratitude and hung up.

Then I got to thinking about the situation. First off I was thanking God that I had not cut ties with my primary company when deciding to sign on with this secondary company. I intended to quit at first but I just couldn’t do it because I knew it would put the company under too much stress and I also didn’t want to leave my patients. What I did do was use my supposed two weeks resignation as kind of a warning; stating the things that I had always stated but making sure they took me serious this time.

As I continued to reflect on this situation I decided a game plan for follow up on this issue. I would keep it between me and the payroll person I talked to if the check was in my mailbox in a short amount of time. I am very understanding of people making mistakes. I have made quite a few in my lifetime.

If the check did not arrive by the close of week I would take other measures. When the scheduler asked me to do another admission I would merely text her back saying. “I have not received my paycheck that was to be posted on Christmas day. I will be unavailable to do any more admission assessments for you until I see that money in my checking account. I certainly hope you understand my position.”

There is a way to do business where Mercy is in the forefront but Justice is a supporting pillar. There is a tone you can use in your voice and also in written correspondence which holds respect for the person which you are addressing but in  no way gives them any indication that you are a door mat. I will be nobody’s door mat. Jesus didn’t give His life for me to be trampled by deceit.