Dignity of the Worker

--The Fifth in a Series on the Principles of Social Justice—
By Sean DeWitt

One of the greatest gifts that God gave us was the opportunity to participate in His creation. From the naming of the animals to His command to subdue the earth, God bestowed on us, His people, the right and the responsibility to work. Because of this gift, work becomes more than a means to make a living. Work becomes an end in and of itself; part of the very being of man. As the Bishops say:

Work is more than a way to make a living; it is an expression of our dignity and a form of continuing participation in God’s creation—A Century of Social Teaching

Why, then did God make work such an important part of our being? The answer comes in looking at the two kinds of work: (1) transitive work and (2) intransitive work.

1. Transitive work is the effect of a worker on his work. When a worker makes something, he imparts part of himself on that thing. The easiest example of this is when an artist makes a work of art. The artist puts his thoughts, ideas and personality into the medium in such a way that allows you to see what the artist sees and think what the artist thinks.

The same is for anyone who works. Whether it is physical or mental work, everyone works differently and everyone will produce something different. This is part of the dignity of work, allowing a person to express himself through action.

2. Intransitive work is the effect of work on the worker. Just as a worker leaves a part of himself in his work, so to that work forms the worker. Taking up the example of an artist again, the artist after years and years of working with a particular medium perfects his craft. In this process, the medium with which he works not only changes his physique, building up muscles and motor skills, but the medium also changes the way the artist sees the world.

Again, whether physical or mental, work changes the worker. We learn to become stronger and perfect our skills through our work. And thus a certain dignity arises from the work itself. Work is an integral part of human dignity. In fact, work is the very ‘expression of our dignity’, as the Bishops state.

Though we don’t directly assist in job placement, Catholic Charities realizes the importance of work and provides resources for those looking for work. Our most direct service is in the Criminal Justice department headed by Deacon Doots Dufour. Although he is out for knee surgery this summer (keep him in your prayers), he has blessed Jeff Haecker and I with the opportunity to work with the ex-offenders. Deacon does many wonderful things for these people including writing recommendation letters, and providing work clothes and boots to those who are getting jobs. I have been blessed with the opportunity to help two of these clients. In both cases, I was able to provide the newly employed ex-offenders with work boots through an academy gift card. It wasn’t much, but it was enough—amazing to think that two pieces of rubber worth 25 dollars could stand in the way of exercising dignity.