unjust workplace?
why righting wrongs is your business

At one time or another, we’ve all been forced to decide whether to stand up against some injustice at work or to go along with it – for fear of repercussions against us if we were to “rock the boat.” An example of this in my own career was a situation in which I witnessed a co-worker being treated unfairly. I was in a position to defend this person but hesitated because I wasn’t sure if it would do any good. I was afraid my protest might backfire on me. I feared that maybe I would become the target of persecution myself. I thought it was enough of a protest to just complain about things within my little network of like-minded co-workers. Unfortunately, I discovered that we were just making matters worse. When a problem isn’t brought to the surface to be addressed, it just festers.

Why should we worry about anything that anyone at work might do to us if we are following God’s call? We know that we are protected in times of persecution, because we are told so in Scripture. In particular, the Gospel of Matthew reflects Jesus’ guidance in addressing our fears:

If we fear what others may do to us: We shouldn’t be afraid of those who can only harm the body, we only need to fear the evil that can destroy both our body and soul. (Matt 10:28)

If we fear our ability to stand up for what’s right: When we are faced with persecution, God’s spirit will guide us in whatever we need to do or say. (Matt 10:19-20)

If we fear for our material security: Remember that God knows what we need, so seek first the kingdom of God and He will provide us with whatever we need to fulfill our mission. (Matt 6:32-33)

When we hear the beatitude "blessed are you who are persecuted, your reward will be great in heaven," we might think, "Joy in heaven is a long way from the fear I’m feeling. I need to protect my security right now!” However, Catholic social teaching tells us that work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. So, when we focus on serving others rather than just our own needs, we are helping to extend God’s kingdom. Therefore, the joy and peace of heaven is much closer than we think.

When I did finally speak up, I was surprised that many of my fears were ill-founded. Now that’s not to say that everything went smoothly; I did run into some resistance. Nevertheless, when I was faced with conflict, I felt a sense of peace and confidence because I knew I was doing the right thing.

Originally Published: December 2003