N
Natalia
Guest
I’m not sure if this is the right forum, but I have a question regarding whether my work situation was ethical or not. I am no longer employed by this organization.
My husband was hired to work part-time for a certain religious order. Because he wanted to be free to take other temp jobs, he arranged with the boss that I would work about half of his hours. I wasn’t keen on the idea, because it sounded somewhat dodgy, but I eventually agreed. The pay went directly to my husband.
The job was actually very demanding, although it was only a few hours per week. While I was working, I was constantly asked to work overtime and was pressured to volunteer. My work was micromanaged by other employees and by the bosses. The customers were also very rude and all-around difficult at times, and some were concerned that a foreigner (me) would mess things up and complete tasks incorrectly. During my time there, I became very depressed and anxious. I eventually gained almost 50 pounds, but when I asked if I could cease working, my husband would become furious and accuse me of being abusive.
I felt the situation to be unethical, and I was tempted to contact the labor department. However, when I consulted about seven different priests in the diocese, they all said the same version of the same thing: the Catholic Church has enough problems, so don’t make waves. As a convert to Catholcism and a stranger in the country, I felt taken advantage of and shut out.
I realize that I bear some responsibility and culpability for agreeing to put myself in this situation in the first place, but I did feel pressured by my husband and by the priests I spoke with. Technically, I found out later that the situation was illegal.
My questions are:
Does the Catholic Church approve of situations like mine? Did I really make a fuss out of nothing, like some of the priests said? I am really confused, and I am not sure if I’d ever work for a Catholic employer, even if the job was legal.
Thanks for reading.
My husband was hired to work part-time for a certain religious order. Because he wanted to be free to take other temp jobs, he arranged with the boss that I would work about half of his hours. I wasn’t keen on the idea, because it sounded somewhat dodgy, but I eventually agreed. The pay went directly to my husband.
The job was actually very demanding, although it was only a few hours per week. While I was working, I was constantly asked to work overtime and was pressured to volunteer. My work was micromanaged by other employees and by the bosses. The customers were also very rude and all-around difficult at times, and some were concerned that a foreigner (me) would mess things up and complete tasks incorrectly. During my time there, I became very depressed and anxious. I eventually gained almost 50 pounds, but when I asked if I could cease working, my husband would become furious and accuse me of being abusive.
I felt the situation to be unethical, and I was tempted to contact the labor department. However, when I consulted about seven different priests in the diocese, they all said the same version of the same thing: the Catholic Church has enough problems, so don’t make waves. As a convert to Catholcism and a stranger in the country, I felt taken advantage of and shut out.
I realize that I bear some responsibility and culpability for agreeing to put myself in this situation in the first place, but I did feel pressured by my husband and by the priests I spoke with. Technically, I found out later that the situation was illegal.
My questions are:
Does the Catholic Church approve of situations like mine? Did I really make a fuss out of nothing, like some of the priests said? I am really confused, and I am not sure if I’d ever work for a Catholic employer, even if the job was legal.
Thanks for reading.
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