Forgiveness and grace are key components of Christianity. After all, most Christians strive to be as Christ-like as possible. That means forgiving the shortcomings of others and recognizing their own failures readily. Treating others with dignity and kindness, even when they are in the wrong, can help inspire those people to lead more faithful and devout lives in turn.
While forgiveness, compassion and understanding are valuable personal traits, accountability is also crucial. In scenarios where employers have permitted overt discrimination, regular harassment or a hostile work environment, workers may report the issue seeking help. Their employers may then retaliate against them by firing them, demoting them or otherwise punishing them.
In such scenarios, taking legal action might be the best option available.
Speaking up protects others in the future
While Jesus was eager to inspire His followers to forgive, in some cases as many times as possible, He was also quite critical of those who enriched themselves at the expense of others, demonstrated false piousness or prioritized power over the powerless.
From His statements about the Pharisees to His conduct toward the money changers at the temple, there are many points at which Jesus encouraged righteous outrage and action to respond to institutional misconduct. In scenarios where employers may allow or even encourage the mistreatment of disadvantaged individuals, speaking up may be the most compassionate and Christian thing to do. When companies punish workers for doing the right thing, workers may need to fight back.
Civil litigation can draw attention to misconduct and generate costs for the company retaliating against workers for asserting their rights. If a business can mistreat workers without consequences, then the legal violations or hostile work environment a worker experienced might persist indefinitely.
Choosing to initiate employment litigation can force a business to reevaluate its practices. Successful lawsuits can cost employers money, which is sometimes the only way to deter them from continued misconduct.
Workers who have experienced mistreatment may need to speak up not just for themselves but for others. Setting an example by taking on the stress and scrutiny that come from initiating employment litigation can be a means of making a personal sacrifice for the long-term benefit of many others.