To have objected to ‘prayers’ at work

Are these sports chats on the agenda?

I should add not in meetings but they might have a meeting in their own time for prayer and to mark holy days.

It's on the agenda. Others can vote it down if they want to.

It's inappropriate. She can start a Christian network or group if she wants to do prayer in work with others who will want to join. That's what we have in our work, as well as a Jewish network and Muslim network.

This is simply US vs U.K./European culture. Americans talk about God a lot, even at work, particularly at work. Sometimes they pray at work. If it’s a US owned company I would just put it on ignore as you will not win against the God squad.

Nope, absolutely not! I work for a global company with US HQ and there's no way this would fly. Although it would never happen to start with, my US colleagues are all very much left-leaning and depressed at the moment. Some may be religious given it's far more common in the US than UK, but there's no way they'd be so overt about it.

Honestly, she must be mad.

Thanks. I was just about to type this.

@Iamthewintersale I have always sat quietly in meetings where prayers are said and have never felt any pressure to join in. There have been odd occasions when I've had to bite my lip to stop laughing (as I did at my mother in law's funeral last year when the priest was praying with great gusto as he walked down the aisle) but it's not difficult to be respectful of other people's beliefs. I don't know how long people think a prayer will take, but I've never known a prayer in a meeting to take more than 30 seconds.

Would the people who are ridiculing Christians praying and their beliefs be as offensive towards other religions? I don't think anyone could be more of an atheist than me, but I was brought up to have respect for all religions.

"I'm not religious so I understand where you're coming from but you'd be better off keeping your views to yourself where religion is concerned in the workplace."

Her colleague isn't though? It's ridiculous the OP has been put in this situation.

The PA thing to do would be to go on mute and then be visibly doing something in the background during the prayer.

Or it could be completely apolitical and to just pray for wisdom and to bless everyone there? One minute tops

And assuming it takes 3 mins or less

I would actually let her go ahead and see what the prayer consists of on this occasion. It could be more political than religious and gives you something solid to take to HR to prevent in the future.

As a direct result of my experience of Christian community I was brought up in I am hugely and adamantly against the interference in my life by any form of organised religion. My friends and colleagues faiths are many and none, they are good people, I love some of them, and I don’t hold them personally to account for the actions of their religious organisations. I have enjoyed weddings and festivals in churches, synagogues and sacred groves, delighted to have been invited and welcomed.

But I would not stand for them bringing any of that into my workplace or home, not even the ‘ah its harmless, just a bit praying, just stand to the side having your own thoughts for 10 minutes’. For me no, not acceptable, never will be.

Can you and maybe others claim to be Jedi with equal time ?

It's all very well saying don't participate, just listen, but depending on what the prayers are there could be all sorts of ramifications.

One that springs immediately to mind is what if she starts giving thanks for / voicing an opinion on the pro life law changes in the US, and some of the team have had terminations? That could easily make a work environment feel hostile and discriminatory.

I think if it's a US company based in the US with clients/suppliers/talent in the US then to some degree you just need to suck these cultural differences up.

However, this is a Global company. They should have an awareness of what is culturally appropriate in the countries they work in and with. I think it would be very remiss of the OP not to make them aware this is inappropriate in the UK (and Europe, and probably most countries) before they lose business/suppliers/talent over it.

The church tends to be a much bigger thing for Americans - it is like a status symbol for them. They are quite dedicated about it, along with the belief they have the right to own guns and women should not be allowed abortions.

I would make a formal complaint to human resources.

If we sit by and let things like this happen out of "politeness" we are aiding and abetting the MAGAs and other superstitious fools who think their beliefs trump (no pun intended) those of everyone else.

With the way the world is tilting, we no longer can humour them. Seriously, make a curt and formal complaint. It's no longer a matter of tolerating the batshit. We have to actively push back and combat them.

You can put her on silent then, surely?

Honestly, I'm struggling to understand the big deal. I have online meetings where the team chats about football/rugby from the weekend. I know that I can nip off and make a cup of tea and leave them to it. I won't be wagging my finger at them.

I'm not religious so I understand where you're coming from but you'd be better off keeping your views to yourself where religion is concerned in the workplace. I agree that it shouldn't be but if it is, tune out. Easiest thing to do without getting 'known' for the wrong things.

Be smart about it.

This is so inappropriate. I'm in the US and this would be very much a disciplinary actin no mater who she voted for. I'd take this straight to higher ups or HR. Extremely unprofessional as well as batshit crazy.

I'd say, "I can understand why she needs to pray right now, given Trump is in office, but some of us are not believers, so I think this shouldn't be done in work time."

Before she starts the meeting, tell her you're going to exercise your right to freedom of expression by putting her on mute. These emboldened fucktards need to get in their lane. It's gone to their heads and they've a rude awakening ahead of them when they realise that forcing people to do their bidding is not going to happen.

ETA: apologies if I come across a bit strong. I live in the US and am feeling it a bit.