Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Bill of Rights for Church Workers

On these Blogger pages we explore TOPICS in our desire to respond to Jesus' call to walk with Him in our world as his missionary disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring to humanity the Good News of the Father's love manifested and given in Jesus, the Divine Mercy. G.S.

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A Bill of Rights for Church Workers

(Taken from a city hospice-training program)

1.       Coworkers – Workers have the right to be treated fairly as coworkers, to know as much about the Church and its policies and procedures as possible.

2.      Dignity and Respect – Workers have the right to an orderly, designated place conducive to work and the worth of the job to be done; regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religions or physical ability.

3.       Suitable Assignments – Workers have the right to suitable assignments that take into consideration personal preference, temperament, life experience, education, and employment background, and with a proper job description.

4.      Training – Workers have the right to training for the job as well as the right to continuing education, even at times during work hours.

5.      Guidance and Feedback – Workers have the right to sound guidance, direction, and feedback on their performance, with regular performance reviews.

6.      Variety of Assignments – Workers have the right to a variety of experiences through advancements to assignments with more responsibility, and through the transfer from one activity to another; with reference to performance.

7.      Free Speech – Workers have the right to be heard, to feel free to make suggestions, to have respect shown for an honest opinion, and to have a part in planning.

8.      Recognition – Workers have the right to recognition in the form of promotion, awards, and day-to-day expressions of appreciation.

          “Some may protest that it is a legal misnomer to use the word “right” to describe the claims of workers.  No church authority has granted these rights to parishioners.  There are no sanctions if these so-called rights are curtailed or infringed.  But I think they deserve to be called rights.  Why?  Because these statements describe what a Christian community owes its workers.  If a parish is to be faithful to what the Church teaches about human dignity, and faithful to St. Paul’s doctrine of the many members and the one body; then every parish worker should claim these rights.  

          Ultimately, however, it is not a question of workers demanding concessions from the parish.  Nor is it a question of the church owing something to workers (members).  All of us are the church.  We should freely give to one another the courtesy, respect, support, honesty, opportunity, freedom, and appreciation that we want for ourselves.  When we acknowledge the rights of workers, we empower ourselves and build up a fuller communion.”

Adapted Nov. 7, 2001 from the piece on Volunteers by Bridget Lynch Fischer, in “Today’s Parish”, Sept. 2001, pgs. 16-19.

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On these Blogger pages we explore TOPICS in our desire to respond to Jesus' call to walk with Him in our world as his missionary disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring to humanity the Good News of the Father's love manifested and given in Jesus, the Divine Mercy. G.S.

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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
 

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