Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

Human Dignity finds special expression in the dignity of work and in the rights of workers. Through work we participate in creation. Workers have rights to just wages, rest and fair working conditions.

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. Employers contribute to the common good through the services or products they provide and by creating jobs that uphold the dignity and rights of workers—to productive work, to decent and just wages, to adequate benefits and security in their old age, to the choice of whether to organize and join unions, to the opportunity for legal status for immigrant workers, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Workers also have responsibilities—to provide a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, to treat employers and co-workers with respect, and to carry out their work in ways that contribute to the common good. Workers, employers, and unions should not only advance their own interests, but also work together to advance economic justice and the well-being of all.

TWO VIEWS OF WORK People often view work as a chore, a necessary but not very enjoyable reality of life. According to this view, work is toil which means that it is difficult, challenging, and wearing. Christian justice has a different view of work, one that says work still has the potential to be very good. Work pays the bills – however it also provides a service to the community. Examples – engineer - Police officer - City worker - Custodial work

Family Needs: The income from the work enables a family to maintain a home and buy food and clothing. Work can also provide these things directly – workers can build shelters, grow food, and make clothing for themselves and family. Work also educates the children in the family – parents can show their children how to be creative with their life through work.

The common good: Every worker is a member of a larger society, so work contributes to the common good. A carpenter making a door - they care more about the person using the door than the door itself. You cannot appreciate this until you are stuck with a bulky door.

LIVING JUSTICE AND PEACE Read pages 180 to 185 together as a class.

The Rights and Responsibilities of Workers List the 3 ways Catholic Social Teaching on work and the family can be summarized. (182) List the 4 ways everything surrounding work can accommodate the worker’s dignity. (183) Journal Question: Explain how a work experience has helped you become more fully what you are meant to be. Your example does not have to be paid work. Describe what you did and how it affected you. (1 paragraph)