EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP
Scrooge is Bob Cratchit's employer, as evidenced by their interactions in the office and Scrooge's authority to raise Bob's salary.
SCROOGE
But he was early at the office next morning. Oh, he was early there! If he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That was the thing he had set his heart upon. ... 'Hallo!' growled Scrooge in his accustomed voice as near as he could feign it. 'What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?' 'I am very sorry, sir,' said Bob. 'I _am_ behind my time.' 'You are!' repeated Scrooge. 'Yes, I think you are. Step this way, sir, if you please.' ... 'Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,' said Scrooge. 'I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer. And therefore,' he continued, leaping from his stool, and giving Bob such a dig in the waistcoat that he staggered back into the tank again--'and therefore I am about to raise your salary!' ... 'A merry Christmas, Bob!' said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. 'A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I'll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob! Make up the fires and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit!'