taking time ­
theft in the workplace

When it comes to the question of stealing things like pens, or copies from work, I’m going to assume you listen to your own conscience. However, I would like to explore another resource that we may not even realize we steal – time. I’ll bet if we all conducted our own personal time study for a week at work, a number of us would be surprised at the excessive time we spend on personal business, surfing the Internet or socializing.

Many are guilty of this because they don’t like what they do and are drawn to things that are more interesting. If we were truly using the gifts and talents with which God has blessed us, we would naturally be more focused and productive in our work.

How can we seek God’s call in our work?

If you lack a sense of purpose at work, you could engage in a focused effort to discern where God is calling you. You might consult your pastor, or consider the services of a spiritual director.

Discernment may take months, or even years. In the meantime, in your current position, let go of self-interest and focus on serving the needs of your co-workers.

Even if you feel you are not being paid fairly, you are agreeing, by your decision to go to work each day, to perform a job for a particular wage. It is your responsibility and moral obligation to deliver accordingly.

You may discover that you belong right where you are – you just need to re-focus the purpose of your work.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that everyone should make legitimate use of his/her talents to contribute to the abundance that will benefit all. (CCC 2429) When our work is not using the gifts God has given us to serve others, I believe we suffer a spiritual conflict and find it difficult to consistently execute our daily tasks. As a result, we not only steal time from our employer, but from the community as a whole as well.

Originally Published: October 2005