Working on Sunday

[I_trust]

I have worked for UPS for over 30 years. I have never been required to work Sunday, and UPS as a company has never delivered on Sunday…Until now.
We have been informed that drivers will be forced to work Sunday December 21st.
Last year, there were tentative plans (which were canceled) to force us to deliver on Christmas day.

This move by UPS is about greed rather than necessity…The USPS is delivering Sundays leading up to Christmas so UPS is following suite.

I will likely refuse to work on Sunday and be disciplined, but not fired. But going forward, the Courts in the USA have a mixed unclear record of protecting religious freedom regarding refusing to work Sundays…
uri.edu/research/lrc/research/papers/Evans_Religious_Accommodation.pdf

I go to Mass on Sundays and teach my kids the faith as well on Sundays, and try to make it a day of rest. We could go on Saturday night.

Would I, in any way, be sinning if I worked on Sundays (as required by UPS) going forward?

 

[bitterhope]

No in my opinion it would not be sinful. Many people are required to work on Sundays. It’s not just police, doctors, firemen, military, but also cashiers, truckers, even pastoral associates for the Church. Go to Mass on Saturday night and thank God you have that opportunity. Also thank Him that before now you never needed to work on Sunday because many people always have had to work on Sundays, Holidays, Holy Days of obligation, etc.

 

[Ms_Manners]

I don’t think it would be sinful.

It is not necessity for the company, but it is necessity for you, you need a job.

My husband works weekends and holidays.
Some years he works on Christmas, this year it’s New Year’s.
He’s not in emergency services, they could be given those days off.
But he would be fired for refusing to comply, and in this job market he can’t lose his job.

However, we still avoid activities that would make someone else work on Sundays and holidays.

 

[1ke]

Would I, in any way, be sinning if I worked on Sundays (as required by UPS) going forward?

No. You would NOT be sinning.

The Church does not require you to refuse to work on Sunday.

If you have Saturday evening Mass available, please attend. I see no reason to **refuse **to work the one Sunday. You cannot claim that your religion forbids it, because this is not true.

If Sunday delivery becomes a widespread thing, rather than one time a year, perhaps your seniority with the company will be taken into consideration with scheduling.

 

[robwar]

I have worked for UPS for over 30 years. I have never been required to work Sunday, and UPS as a company has never delivered on Sunday…Until now.
We have been informed that drivers will be forced to work Sunday December 21st.
Last year, there were tentative plans (which were canceled) to force us to deliver on Christmas day.

This move by UPS is about greed rather than necessity…The USPS is delivering Sundays leading up to Christmas so UPS is following suite.

I will likely refuse to work on Sunday and be disciplined, but not fired. But going forward, the Courts in the USA have a mixed unclear record of protecting religious freedom regarding refusing to work Sundays…
uri.edu/research/lrc/research/papers/Evans_Religious_Accommodation.pdf

I go to Mass on Sundays and teach my kids the faith as well on Sundays, and try to make it a day of rest. We could go on Saturday night.

Would I, in any way, be sinning if I worked on Sundays (as required by UPS) going forward?

No, you need to follow whether you agree with it or not what your company is requiring. Like you pointed out you can attend Mass on Saturday night. I work in a hospital and have worked Sundays many many many years so I guess I am not too sympathetic to your issue of working one Sunday out of year. I know you want to set a good example for your children but part of that example is working the required hours of the employer and not complaining about it. Realistically, when your children become older and start working, they most likely will be working weekends which include Sunday in many entry level jobs especially in service type places.

 

[I_trust]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

A day of grace and rest from work

2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,"121 human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord’s Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.122

2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.

The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.124
2186 Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.

2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.

2188 In respecting religious liberty and the common good of all, Christians should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church’s holy days as legal holidays. They have to give everyone a public example of prayer, respect, and joy and defend their traditions as a precious contribution to the spiritual life of society. If a country’s legislation or other reasons require work on Sunday, the day should nevertheless be lived as the day of our deliverance which lets us share in this “festal gathering,” this "assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven."125

 

[I_trust]

From Catholic Answers…
catholic.com/quickquestions/is-it-ok-to-work-on-sunday

Rest from work is necessary. We know that even God himself rests: “he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done” (Gen. 2:2). In recognition of this, the Church obligates us to rest on the Lord’s day. The Code of Canon Law states, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass. Moreover, they are to abstain from those works and affairs which hinder the worship to be rendered to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, or the suitable relaxation of mind and body” (CIC 1247). However, the Church also recognizes that legitimate reasons excuse from this obligation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health” (CCC 2185).

 

[I_trust]

Pope Francis on working Sunday…

zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-address-on-world-of-work-at-university-of-campobasso
This is a “critical” point, a point that allows us to discern, to assess the quality of the human economic system in which we find ourselves. And within this context is the issue of Sunday working, which affects not only believers but everyone as an ethical choice. The question is: to what do we want to give priority? The work-free Sunday - with the exception of necessary services - is to say that the priority is not economic but human, to gratuity, to non-commercial relations but family, friends, for believers to be in relation with God and with the community. Perhaps it is time to ask whether to work on Sundays is a true freedom.

So, I think perhaps there is an obligation for Christians to at least speak out against, and resist being forced to work on Sundays if one’s work is not necessary on Sundays. If I did nothing to resist the trend I would be setting a bad example for my children, and not honoring the Commandment.

I do think volunteering to work Sunday (unless economic hardship was present) would be sinful.

 

[felsguy]

It is not required for Catholics to refuse to work on Sundays.

You may do as you wish, and of course you will. However you are not committing a sin if you work. Your employer requires that you come in or you will be disciplined. We are required to attend Mass and set aside “sufficient time” for prayer and leisure that doesn’t mean the entire day you can still work and do those things many people do.

CCC 2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord’s Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure.

I understand though that you are upset and that you want to refuse to go to work on the moral issue here. I suppose you could talk to your union rep? This might be something you are going to have to deal with eventually and make a firm decision. Just remember though that the church does not require that you refuse to work, that decision is 100% up to you. I wish you all the best whatever you decide. God bless.

 

[CthgeDelendaEst]

OP-

Do you ever:

-Go to a retail store on a Sunday
-Go to a restaurant on a Sunday (including takeout/pizza)
-Go to a movie on a Sunday
-Watch a live event on a Sunday (including the NFL on TV)

If you do any of these things on Sundays, ever, then pardon me for saying it, you are bordering on the hypocritical. If you engage in activities that require others to work on Sundays, but refuse to work 1 Sunday a year yourself, I would reexamine the situation. Perhaps be grateful that you have a good job in a bad economy? And realize that your employer makes a large % of their profit this time of year, thus permitting you to keep said job?

 

[Ositokc]

Are you willing to jeopardize over 30 YEARS for having to work just one Sunday?
I would definitely work, especially if it’s just one day (not every Sunday correct)

Otherwise, just call in Sick on Sunday. Problem Solved.

 

[wheelie]

I often work on Sunday’s, and I have for years.
Never had any issues, no one has ever said anything to me and I never thought anything of it, because there isn’t anything wrong with it.
I certainly would not throw away my career, let alone wage and a job just because I had to work on a Sunday . That would be ridiculous

 

[Sunbreak]

There’s nothing wrong with working on Sunday if the employer requires it. I wouldn’t call delivering packages on Sunday greed. There’s a huge amount of things to be delivered. And the law only requires the employer to try to accommodate someone’s religious requirements. Catholics are required to attend Mass on Sunday or the vigil Mass on Saturday. So as long as the employer allows you to be able to have time to attend any of these Masses, the employer is being accommodating. Besides, it’s just one day you’re being asked to do this out of the whole year. Some people have to work every Sunday.

 

[I_trust]

I asked the holiest Priest I know if it would be a sin to refuse to work on Sunday (in my circumstances, where the established practice of over 50 years is to never force drivers to work Sundays). He said no, it would not be a sin, and would be laudable to do so and stand up to the secularization of our society.

If they force us on Christmas I will take the discipline and refuse to work. I am not going to loose my job over this, so that is not a consideration. I assure you there were other options UPS could have utilized to avoid forcing work on Sundays and Christmas. One was to deliver Saturday. Another was to hire and work more drivers than they did. It was a business decision that they made in November not to utilize those options because it was more cost effective this way. UPS makes Billions every quarter, it has never been a financially stressed company.

So, would it make you mad if your driver didn’t deliver on Christmas the latest gadget you ordered (at the last minute), but instead chose to spend time at Mass and with his family?

 

[wheelie]

I asked the holiest Priest I know if it would be a sin to refuse to work on Sunday (in my circumstances, where the established practice of over 50 years is to never force drivers to work Sundays). He said no, it would not be a sin, and would be laudable to do so and stand up to the secularization of our society.

If they force us on Christmas I will take the discipline and refuse to work. I am not going to loose my job over this, so that is not a consideration. I assure you there were other options UPS could have utilized to avoid forcing work on Sundays and Christmas. One was to deliver Saturday. Another was to hire and work more drivers than they did. It was a business decision that they made in November not to utilize those options because it was more cost effective this way. UPS makes Billions every quarter, it has never been a financially stressed company.

So, would it make you mad if your driver didn’t deliver on Christmas the latest gadget you ordered (at the last minute), but instead chose to spend time at Mass and with his family?

Dear I trust, it is obvious you don’t want to work on Sundays I think we get that. However this is a loaded question you are asking here. How are we supposed to answer “Yes, please give up Mass and deliver my gadget!” you have phrased the question to make working on Sundays to sound ridiculous and selfish because you believe them to be ridiculous and selfish which is your right to believe!

What I think other posters are asking you to ponder is this: do you go to restaurants, amusement parks, movies, stores and other things on Sundays? If you do then I would caution you do to an examination of conscience. Getting a gadget delivered isn’t a necessity but neither is ordering a burger and fries so if you are going to take a stand as your priest encouraged you to do…make sure it’s for all people to not work on Sundays not just you that’s all.

 

[oldgraymare2]

Hi I trust,

This seems to be the way it is for most people who work in the service industry these days.

If you were working in retail, weekends would probably be a part of your routine schedule.

My husband and I have both worked retail and service jobs where weekends and Saturdays were required, and we both did it. It goes with the job. You do what you have to do.

In my own personal opinion, I doubt that most people like working on weekends, as that is the time when most of their family members are at home together. But, not all work environments offer weekends off.

Sometimes you don’t have much choice, when you need a job and there may not be too many choices in your area, when it comes to work and scheduling.

Anyway, I wish you a blessed Christmas season and a healthy New Year for you and your family.

 

[AnnArbor]

I asked the holiest Priest I know if it would be a sin to refuse to work on Sunday (in my circumstances, where the established practice of over 50 years is to never force drivers to work Sundays). He said no, it would not be a sin, and would be laudable to do so and stand up to the secularization of our society.

If they force us on Christmas I will take the discipline and refuse to work. I am not going to loose my job over this, so that is not a consideration. I assure you there were other options UPS could have utilized to avoid forcing work on Sundays and Christmas. One was to deliver Saturday. Another was to hire and work more drivers than they did. It was a business decision that they made in November not to utilize those options because it was more cost effective this way. UPS makes Billions every quarter, it has never been a financially stressed company.

So, would it make you mad if your driver didn’t deliver on Christmas the latest gadget you ordered (at the last minute), but instead chose to spend time at Mass and with his family?

As others have mentioned, it is clear that you do not want to work on Sundays. Which I completely understand.

And you can certainly voice that to your employer – however, it would not be right for you to present that as a requirement of your faith. It is not.

Also, in addition to some of the other places mentioned – have you ever gone to the grocery store on a Sunday, or filled up the tank with gas, or run out to the hardware store to pick up something for a weekend project?

If you are truly opposed to working on Sunday, it is incumbent on you to avoid practices that cause others to have to do the same.

 

[Luvz2travel]

I work on Sundays because I am required to work a weekend shift at my part time job. I look at it like this. If GOD doesn’t want me to work on Sundays he’d make it possible for me to stop. At this point will all the debt from my house and car it’s either work or be without enough money to pay the bills. No paycheck no rent…no rent homeslessness.

 

[Cara_Serrano]

A Catholic friend of mine has a regular Monday through Friday job, but from January to April he does people’s taxes at nights and on Saturdays. Although he never schedules tax appointments on Sundays, sometimes there are last minute corrections or additions that have to be made before filing. His solution is to donate whatever money he makes the few hours he must work on Sunday and give it to the Church. He feels that not making a profit on Sunday is as close as he can come to not working on Sunday.

I realize that others who must work a full day on Sunday probably cannot afford to tithe one-seventh of their income, but I admire my friend’s commitment to making Sunday the Lord’s day. Maybe others who must work on Sunday could offer part of the day’s salary back to God or make some other charitable act.