Religion in the work place?

[fkaB18C5MK1]

So, the owner of the company i work for and my HR manager just got together and decided that "we have a mandatory meeting tomorrow @ 8am with a Christian Speaker (elder) from their Church who will be talking to us about Bible Study and the relationship between Christianity and the Workplace."

mandatory? WTF? is this legal? i shut my door on jehova's witnesses and mormons (no offense if any of you are), but seriously, i go to work to earn a paycheck, not to be hounded with biased christian / relgious beliefs.

i dont want to attend. but seeing the current job market and how my company is christian owned, ran, etc. thus i shall become a drone and attend this lame meeting. i dont want to though.

any thoughts / legal advice on how to get out of this?

[stiizy]

fuck it sleep , space the fuck out ..

I would.......

[!Zar!]

They can run their business however they wish.

I don't see the point in making it a bigger deal than it is.

Just chill and relax during it.

No point causing a ruckus.

Even if you can't get fired for voicing your opinion, you don't want to leave a bad taste in your upper managers mouthes.

[Mi Beardo es Loco]

I think it depends on what your company does. I know that a lesbian couple was kicked out of a christian school for being openly lesbian and the courts upheld it. This probably doesn't apply to your job. I can't imagine this being 100% legal. If it's a big company just contend that you were forced to attend then sue

[Brian]

agreed and agreed.


bitch about it and get on their bad side.

Just go with it, space out, stay on the good side.


it's up to you.

[!Zar!]

They are probably just trying to keep sanity at the work place do to the way times are right now.

[ThatGuy]

Relax. You most likely aren't going to burst in to flames just from listening to someone you may not agree with. If that were the case, most of us would be charred piles of ashes simply from conversations with ricers.

As was said already, it's their business, they are able to run it how they see fit. Unless they are FORCING you to get baptized or commit your life to "witnessing" then it shouldn't be a big deal.

I've had plenty of teachers and bosses whose ideals I haven't agreed with, I still went to class and work.

[fkaB18C5MK1]

Originally Posted by !Zar!

They are probably just trying to keep sanity at the work place do to the way times are right now.

well, if obama passes this road and bridges thing, we shouldnt have anything to worry about.

i work for www.traffixdevices.com -should be non-secular.

heh.

[Mi Beardo es Loco]

if you don't go and they fire you for it then you can sue them. If they tell you that they're letting you go for another reason then you're assed out buddy. it really doesn't matter.

[fkaB18C5MK1]

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

Relax. You most likely aren't going to burst in to flames just from listening to someone you may not agree with. If that were the case, most of us would be charred piles of ashes simply from conversations with ricers.

As was said already, it's their business, they are able to run it how they see fit. Unless they are FORCING you to get baptized or commit your life to "witnessing" then it shouldn't be a big deal.

I've had plenty of teachers and bosses whose ideals I haven't agreed with, I still went to class and work.

yeah. true.

all the 'bosses' are in their late 60's early 70's. their beliefs are old school. might as well just suck it up and go.

zone out if need be. like previously posted.

thanks. was kinda peeved at first, but yeah. at least i have a job right?

[!Zar!]

Religion isn't really an old school/new school thing.

It's just that it's been getting further and further from the mainstream after the whole baby boomer thing went on.

[wrapmeup2005]

Yup, its totally legal, the owner can run his business however he wants as long as it complies with all the rules set forth by state/federal such as...sexual harassment, OSHA, license, taxes, etc. If its a privately owned company its the owners choice, they can make you wear a clown suit everyday if they wanted. Just chill, go in and get paid, then don't look back lol. If its something that is really bothering you and it persists then have a meeting with the bossman and let him know that you do not feel comfortable with religion being brought into the workplace

[VROOOM]

bring up the flying spaghetti monster once.

[Matej]

Wear your satanist t-shirt from Hot Topic.

[98s14inaz]

Originally Posted by fkaB18C5MK1

So, the owner of the company i work for and my HR manager just got together and decided that "we have a mandatory meeting tomorrow @ 8am with a Christian Speaker (elder) from their Church who will be talking to us about Bible Study and the relationship between Christianity and the Workplace."

mandatory? WTF? is this legal? i shut my door on jehova's witnesses and mormons (no offense if any of you are), but seriously, i go to work to earn a paycheck, not to be hounded with biased christian / relgious beliefs.

i dont want to attend. but seeing the current job market and how my company is christian owned, ran, etc. thus i shall become a drone and attend this lame meeting. i dont want to though.

any thoughts / legal advice on how to get out of this?

Illegal. You have rights and tell them you are offended and do not want to participate in their religion.

[jrbump]

It's not right that you should have to go to that.

Having said that, if you skip it - kiss your job goodbye. Maybe not right away but soon.

[Sleepy240]

Originally Posted by 98s14inaz

Illegal. You have rights and tell them you are offended and do not want to participate in their religion.

Then they tell you to seek employment elsewhere, enjoy collecting your welfare / unemployment check...

There is absolutely nothing against them forcing you to go to a "lecture" because that is basically what it is. It no different then a Respect Class, a Sexual Harassment Course, or anything of the sort for that nature. As somebody else said as long as they ARE not forcing you to repent for you sins or something similar they are perfectly legit.

To sum everything up...

Just go and suck it up

[B18C5MK1]

Originally Posted by Sleepy240

Then they tell you to seek employment elsewhere, enjoy collecting your welfare / unemployment check...

There is absolutely nothing against them forcing you to go to a "lecture" because that is basically what it is. It no different then a Respect Class, a Sexual Harassment Course, or anything of the sort for that nature. As somebody else said as long as they ARE not forcing you to repent for you sins or something similar they are perfectly legit.

To sum everything up...

Just go and suck it up

sexual harrassment = morals. respect =morals. Christianity = belief that Christ came to earth preaching the name of god = no morals.

so, if the company i work for [btw i remembered my pw on my old account! woot!] was muslim based. and wanted us to attend a mandatory meeting about the koran and kneel to the east (i think thats what they do) this would be acceptable?

or scientology based. jewish. atheist. etc.

say for instance, since the population is more christian than aethist, say my company was aethiest and they wanted to have a mandatory meeting about the affects of aetheism in the workplace. and how there is no God. this is legal?

so if the owner of walmart (a publicly traded corp) wanted all the employees to succumb to (this is just an example) his nazi lifestyle, and wanted to hold a mandatory meeting stating this, its okay?

i mean, i havent gone to the meeting yet, obviously. but is it not the same? i mean, just because the economy is in a rut, does this mean i have to conform to Christianity? what if i were jewish and didnt believe in Christ? i just have to sit there and listen to and basically conform to the guy who runs my job, just because?

i dont get it.

[!Zar!]

I think this is being made into a bigger deal than it should be.

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

Originally Posted by !Zar!

I think this is being made into a bigger deal than it should be.

chyeah boy.

[B18C5MK1]

Originally Posted by !Zar!

I think this is being made into a bigger deal than it should be.

youre probably right. perhaps i am making it into a big deal. but really, if you were to disagree with certain beliefs and whatever company/school/etc you go to hosts a random mandatory meeting upon which beliefs you dont believe in, you'd just be 'okay, i'll roll. c'est la vie.'??

it should be an open discussion. i mean, i pay taxes. they pay me for selling traffic safety devices, nothing in the Christian bible says anything about this. can i not state my own opinion without fear of losing my job?

democrat, republican, green, anti-conformist. we, as people should all be on the same page, in the same boat. imo.

i dunno. it is what it is. i just hope my kids dont have to conform to such nonsense. a company is made to profit. not to boast about some religious topic, let alone make it mandatory.

this is a free country, is it not?

[BustedS13]

that sounds retarded
but if you complain you'll be the black sheep

just deal with it

[Taniguchi_Is_#1]

Originally Posted by B18C5MK1

youre probably right. perhaps i am making it into a big deal. but really, if you were to disagree with certain beliefs and whatever company/school/etc you go to hosts a random mandatory meeting upon which beliefs you dont believe in, you'd just be 'okay, i'll roll. c'est la vie.'??

it should be an open discussion. i mean, i pay taxes. they pay me for selling traffic safety devices, nothing in the Christian bible says anything about this. can i not state my own opinion without fear of losing my job?

democrat, republican, green, anti-conformist. we, as people should all be on the same page, in the same boat. imo.

i dunno. it is what it is. i just hope my kids dont have to conform to such nonsense. a company is made to profit. not to boast about some religious topic, let alone make it mandatory.

this is a free country, is it not?

if you state your values/views/whatever you believe to your boss, ask politely to be excused, and you still get fired, then get a lawyer and sue. the meeting doesn't sound like it's firing material. if you're scared about it, then just go and space out. like it's already been said, it's not like it's the spanish inquisition or something, they won't stuff a pear of despair in your rectum and make you convert.

[!Zar!]

Originally Posted by B18C5MK1

youre probably right. perhaps i am making it into a big deal. but really, if you were to disagree with certain beliefs and whatever company/school/etc you go to hosts a random mandatory meeting upon which beliefs you dont believe in, you'd just be 'okay, i'll roll. c'est la vie.'??

it should be an open discussion. i mean, i pay taxes. they pay me for selling traffic safety devices, nothing in the Christian bible says anything about this. can i not state my own opinion without fear of losing my job?

democrat, republican, green, anti-conformist. we, as people should all be on the same page, in the same boat. imo.

i dunno. it is what it is. i just hope my kids dont have to conform to such nonsense. a company is made to profit. not to boast about some religious topic, let alone make it mandatory.

this is a free country, is it not?

I do have beliefs.

But for someone who doesn't, I don't see the big deal.

I mean to me it's kind of like the boogeyman.

I don't believe in it, but if my work asked me to go to a boogeyman meeting and I'm payed for it, I'd go.

See what I mean?

[ESmorz]

Done.

[Killerofbaal]

Originally Posted by Matej

Wear your satanist t-shirt from Hot Topic.

Haha for sure, just walk in there with upside down crosses and shit.

[Sleepy240]

Originally Posted by B18C5MK1

sexual harrassment = morals. respect =morals. Christianity = belief that Christ came to earth preaching the name of god = no morals.

so, if the company i work for [btw i remembered my pw on my old account! woot!] was muslim based. and wanted us to attend a mandatory meeting about the koran and kneel to the east (i think thats what they do) this would be acceptable?

or scientology based. jewish. atheist. etc.

say for instance, since the population is more christian than aethist, say my company was aethiest and they wanted to have a mandatory meeting about the affects of aetheism in the workplace. and how there is no God. this is legal?

so if the owner of walmart (a publicly traded corp) wanted all the employees to succumb to (this is just an example) his nazi lifestyle, and wanted to hold a mandatory meeting stating this, its okay?

i mean, i havent gone to the meeting yet, obviously. but is it not the same? i mean, just because the economy is in a rut, does this mean i have to conform to Christianity? what if i were jewish and didnt believe in Christ? i just have to sit there and listen to and basically conform to the guy who runs my job, just because?

i dont get it.

Well lets start with the first part... Christianity preaches MORALS as you say blah blah blah. To the best of my knowledge they are not saying you need to be Christian to work there or Muslim to work here (THEY ARE NOT discriminating against you or anyone else). I'd be interested to find out if your company is "publicly" traded because I highly doubt it is. The reason large companies like Wal-mart to go with your example is they TRY to appeal to everyone and not have a limited customer base or workforce. Should a jewish deli sell non kosher food because your not jewish? And even if it was a publicly traded company its STILL totally LEGAL. However with shareholders being involved etc. it wouldn't be long before that guy would be looking for a new job. By singling himself out to all the people who don't believe what he believes hes just asking for trouble. There is also a HUGE difference from a company that stretches the globe and your shithole Hardware store down the street.

[SochBAT]

Make a BIG commotion.

Then join us in the unemployment line.

[C. Senor]

Originally Posted by B18C5MK1

sexual harrassment = morals. respect =morals. Christianity = belief that Christ came to earth preaching the name of god = no morals.

so, if the company i work for [btw i remembered my pw on my old account! woot!] was muslim based. and wanted us to attend a mandatory meeting about the koran and kneel to the east (i think thats what they do) this would be acceptable?

or scientology based. jewish. atheist. etc.

say for instance, since the population is more christian than aethist, say my company was aethiest and they wanted to have a mandatory meeting about the affects of aetheism in the workplace. and how there is no God. this is legal?

so if the owner of walmart (a publicly traded corp) wanted all the employees to succumb to (this is just an example) his nazi lifestyle, and wanted to hold a mandatory meeting stating this, its okay?

i mean, i havent gone to the meeting yet, obviously. but is it not the same? i mean, just because the economy is in a rut, does this mean i have to conform to Christianity? what if i were jewish and didnt believe in Christ? i just have to sit there and listen to and basically conform to the guy who runs my job, just because?

i dont get it.

1. it's qu'ran. if you're going to use it as an example, atleast have the courtesy to spell it correctly. (no i'm not muslim).

2. they would not make you kneel towards mecca. if they did that would be wrong. but attending a meeting would not. and the kneeling thing is only for prayer, by-the-way. which is why it would be wrong. like if a christian company made you say the "our father." not right.

3. it would be ok, to go to a seminar of sorts for aetheism. it is wrong to actually make you stop believing in "God." if you believe in the first place.

4. the walmart thing. it would be ok to have a meeting on nazism. would not be ok to make you "succumb" to a nazi lifestyle.

they are not asking you to believe in something that you dont want to. if they did, then that would be wrong. what they are doing is haing a meeting to hopefully boost moral and find some sort of relief, atleast spiritually. expecially being that a majority of the people that live here are christian. probably why they are having a christian meeting.

what i dont understand is why people can't just be grown ups and have respect for a small period of time and just listen to what other people have to say. it's not that hard to just sit there and lend a small amount of time, especially if it will keep you in good graces of your employer. i'm catholic, but i have lent time to listen to muslim, jewish, johovah, buddhist, seventh day adventist, and aetheist views on the world and religion. it's not that hard. it's not going to kill you. and if it does, hopefully you learned something to help you in the afterlife, what ever that may be.

i would just go, sleep or something. plus i'm assuming it's going to be on company time, so you get paid for sitting there and doing nothing. sounds like a good idea to me.

[ONYX S-13]

Originally Posted by ESmorz

Done.

........