Going to the March for Life When You Work for a Secular Organization

“Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!” (Pope St. John Paul II).

The first March for Life was held on January 22, 1974, on the one-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Ever since, pro-life advocates — Catholic, non-Catholic, and non-religious — have gathered in Washington, D.C., each year to show the nation that a future is possible (and desired by many, many Americans!) “where the beauty and dignity of every human life are valued and protected.”

The March for Life is typically on a weekday, which means many people must take off from work to attend. While many people who work for Catholic organizations may go with their co-workers and even receive time off for that purpose, many of us do not. Working for a secular organization means requesting time off to attend the March and, potentially, later answering questions about why we weren’t at work that day.

Here are some tips that might help.

Understand Your Company’s (and Legal) Policies

Your company may have policies about how employees can use paid time off (PTO); if you’re requesting any PTO hours from your boss, make sure you’re not violating any of those policies. You’ll also want to understand any policies around political, religious, and other “controversial” subjects.

“We are not allowed to talk about religion, period,” one executive, who asked to remain anonymous, told me. “We are not allowed to talk about political or controversial issues.” As a result, she simply tells people who ask that she is taking off for a religious observance.

While companies throughout the U.S. are banned from discrimination and harassment on the basis of religion, sources differ on exactly how far that ban extends, and it also varies by state. In addition, some employers may view the March as a political activity rather than a religious one. Still, according to Lisa Guerin, JD, “If your political activities are related to another protected characteristic—such as race or religion—it might be protected on those grounds.”

When in doubt, it might be best to keep silent about the reason you’re away from the office. If you experience any retaliation when you return, consult your human resources (HR) department or a lawyer.

Understand Your Workplace Culture

Your company may not have any specific policies about religious or political conversation, but your office culture may have some unwritten rules to keep in mind. If your team tends to have an “everybody knows everything” atmosphere, it’s up to you whether you want to keep your March participation to yourself. Maybe you even have Catholic or other pro-life co-workers you can share with. On the other hand, if a “I’m just taking some time to visit D.C. with some friends” or “I’m going to a religious event” will suffice, that route may be your best bet, whether you’re talking to co-workers or asking your boss for time off.

Be Flexible

Flexibility can help. If you’re in the D.C. area, can you take just a half day or a long lunch? If you’re traveling by bus, train, or plane, can you plan on doing some work while in route? As a last resort, would you be willing to be available on off hours from your hotel room? Are there any clients in the area you might be able to give some face time to while you’re traveling? If your boss understands that you’re still prioritizing your work time, he or she may be more willing to give you some personal time.

Check Your Behavior at the March

As we saw last year with the Covington Catholic High School students, not everyone at the March is sympathetic to pro-lifers — but just about everyone at the March has a phone with a camera. While we should strive to behave as Christians should behave at all times, it is good to keep in mind that at the March for Life, each person represents (fairly or not) the pro-life movement at large. What’s more, you don’t want to let your behavior get rowdy or rude and then see it show up on YouTube an hour later for everyone, including your employer, to see.

If you’re going to the March for Life this year, my prayers are with you and our fellow pro-lifers. If not, please join me in praying for everyone who fights, silently or in public, to protect the most vulnerable of human beings.

Taryn Oesch is the managing editor of Catholic Women in Business, a contributing writer and assistant editor at FemCatholic.com, and a fertility educator in training. An active volunteer, Taryn is the board secretary and communications chair at The Power of the Dream, a head coach at Miracle League of the Triangle, and a volunteer at Birthchoice of Wake County. You can follow Taryn on Twitter; on Instagram; on Facebook; and on her blog, Everyday Roses.