Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

Demonstrators holding signs demanding the right to vote and equal civil rights at the March on Washington

“The rights of workers, like all other rights, are based on the nature of the human person and on their transcendent dignity.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #301

All workers have inalienable rights, as the economy should serve the person; the person does not exist to serve the economy.

Discover a rich collection of resources rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, designed to illuminate the dignity of work and the rights of workers. This curated content equips educators, faith leaders, and advocates with tools to inspire action and reflection on justice in the workplace and economic systems.

Catholic Social Teaching Resources on the Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

  • Prayers and Reflections: Ground your understanding of work and human dignity in spiritual practices and Gospel values.
  • Lesson Plans and Activities: Engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about labor rights and the moral implications of economic justice.
  • Multimedia Resources: Videos, articles, and visuals that bring the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to life for diverse audiences.
  • Advocacy Tools: Practical guides for promoting fair wages, safe conditions, and policies that prioritize workers’ rights.

Each resource is crafted to deepen your understanding of the Church’s commitment to justice, solidarity, and the common good. Whether you’re preparing for a classroom discussion, parish presentation, or personal study, these materials offer valuable insights into how the dignity of work is a cornerstone of human flourishing.

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan Activity: Immigration Role Play

This lesson plan is a group activity which engages participants in an active way, offering them an opportunity to explore immigration and the lives of immigrants from different perspectives. It is...

Backgrounder w/ Activities: Biblical Foundations of Justice

The call to be people of justice is part of God's ongoing revelation in scripture. This background resource with activities is designed to lay the groundwork for understanding the biblical...
Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan: Blood Diamond

The movie Blood Diamond has helped to spark awareness about conflict diamonds: diamonds that are often harvested illegally and used to fund ongoing conflicts in places like Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra...

Living Wage Fact Sheet - in Spanish

Use this fact sheet with Spanish-speaking populations to educate about the importance of a living wage in the U.S. An English version is also available.

Sex Trafficking in the United States: Facts and Victims' Stories

Sex trafficking is more widespread than commonly realized, with trafficked persons having been discovered in all 50 states, and 91 cities. This 2-page factsheet details the situation. Stories of real...
Retreat

Spirituality of Justice Reflections: Thirty Daily Reflections with Pope Benedict XVI

Spend 5 minutes a day in prayer with Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting each day on a justice quote from the pope, reflection questions, and a prayer. The format of this resource is a short half-page to...

Immigrants, Jobs, and the Economy: Debunking the Myths

Some opponents of immigration would allege that job loss in the U.S. can be blamed on the arrival of immigrants in the U.S. However, immigrants are actually more like to help the economy grow and...

Keeping Families Out of Poverty Means Paying Parents A Decent Wage

This fact sheet/bulletin insert uses information from from Let Justice Roll, the religious initiative for a living wage. It focuses on the idea that one way to reduce poverty for families is to pay...

Standing on the Side of Justice: Reflection for the Anniversary of Economic Justice for All (2006)

2006 was the twentieth anniversary of the U.S. Catholic Bishops' document, Economic Justice for All, which was written in 1986. The Bishops then asked important questions about the economy and...
Lesson Plan

Looking at Root Causes: Why do Immigrants Come to the U.S.?

There are 60 countries in today's world that are poorer than they were 30 years ago. A fifth of the world's population (1.2 billion people) lives on less than $1 per day and almost half the world's...