CHAPTER NINE Justice and Work

Work and the Worker Our Catholic tradition sees work as an essential way to build a life Did You Know... The Church denounces the abuse of workers and the exploitation of persons to make money

Sustained effort with the intent to produce or accomplish something A Christian View of Work *We are made in God’s image and we share the privilege of helping God in his work of creation *Work has dignity because we share in God’s own activity when we work Work

A Christian View of Work Objective: the product or outcome of work Subjective: the human person and his/her involvement in work WORKTwo different views

 The purpose of work is to fulfill our one humanity and benefit the humanity of those our work serves  Work exists for human beings; human beings do not exist for work  The person is the central focus of work  Labor has priority over capital  Christian teaching holds that people have the right to private property and that workers have the right to share in profits; however, people come before profits A Christian View of Work

Work is not an option but a duty Moral significance of work Fundamental means for people to express and develop themselves as human beings Ordinary way to provide for material needs Enables people to contribute to the well-being of the larger community

A: Work can be a way for us to grow closer to Jesus Christ A Christian View of Work A: It is a way to join in Jesus’ threefold mission of prophet, priest and king Q: Why should we work?

Rights and Duties of Workers Groups that are part of a nation’s economy workers ownersowners governmentgovernment Each group has specific duties and rights Remember...

*A job is important to: *Help us earn the material means needed to make a living *Help achieve human fulfillment- a just society provides jobs for its people Rights and Duties of Workers Things to consider: * The bishops recommend government spending, tax and monetary policies that promote full employment

Rights and Duties of Workers Just wage A wage that will help workers meet their needs and those of their family, and give them a degree of security

Unemployment Pension Life and disability insurance Recreation Health care Education Transportation Shelter Clothing Food Just Wage Rights and Duties of Workers

The American bishops add that workers should also receive the following related benefits to just wage: Healthful working conditions Weekly rest Paid vacations Emergency leave time Reasonable security against dismissal Rights and Duties of Workers

* Workers have a right to rest that elevates the human spirit by giving people time to worship God * Workers have a right to a working environment and to manufacturing processes that are not harmful to the workers’ health or moral integrity Rights and Duties of Workers Keep in Mind...

* Workers have the right to form unions to defend and secure other rights due them * Workers also have the right to strike * Companies should work with unions to empower workers to feel a sense of ownership in their places of employment Rights and Duties of Workers Keep in Mind...

*Catholic teaching holds that health care is a basic human right because it is essential to human dignity *Medical coverage in America  Private insurance  Medicare (government sponsored programs for the aged)  Medicaid (government sponsored programs for the poor) Rights and Duties of Workers

Q: What are the principles of universal health coverage? A: It is Universal A: It is Continuous A: It is Affordable A: It is high quality care Rights and Duties of Workers

(What’s in a name? – p.218) Rights and Duties of Workers

Work & You: Toil, Job, Career Vocation * Work is a chance for a person to develop his/her personality and grow fuller as a human person * Helps a person contribute to the common good * We share in God’s creative activity and develop this beautiful world given for our benefit

Work & You: Toil, Job, Career Vocation Pray Determine your interest and abilities Research jobs that match your skills and interests Gain experience Work on a long-range career goal Ways to determine your future career:

Vocabulary work objective dimension of work subjective dimension of work just wage toil labor job career profession vocation