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Original poster

Religion in the workplace

531 replies

Whatothink · 04/03/2026 17:27

For the last month we have been sent messages email, background screens and management briefings for a particular religion.

the following messages to

”showing visible support,
encouraging meaningful conversations, and deepening our understanding of the experiences of those of observences”

as well as being told to be considered with meetings etc and thoughtful and supportive!!!

OP posts:
MikeRafone · 04/03/2026 19:36

I would assume it's about Ramadan

why would you assume that, its lent at the moment, could be lent that is bneng referred to

TheIceBear · 04/03/2026 19:35

KatsPJs · 04/03/2026 19:31

What about all the Christmas-related emails and events every year? Do they bother you?

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No because Christmas has basically become completely non religious at least where I live anyway. I mean the vast vast majority of people celebrate Christmas and very few attend mass or anything . People from all religions attend the Christmas party .. and there is zero mention of religion. That’s different from an email saying let’s all be supportive of everyone doing lent or whatever.

Tartaupommes · 04/03/2026 19:33

I agree OP. I work in a public sector org and the comms around Ramadan have a very performative whiff about them. It gets my goat. Fasting will normally have zero impact on anyone’s work (and if it does they shouldn’t be at work/fasting). If they are offered a biscuit they can simply say ‘no thank you’. You can get it’s performative leftist virtue signalling because there is no similar consideration for any other minority religion.

KatsPJs · 04/03/2026 19:33

BlueJuniper94 · 04/03/2026 19:26

I find it mind blowing how many posters here are so hostile to Christians but would never DREAM of being so dismissive or downright derogatory to Muslims, who clearly require the most careful and special pandering

How do you go about “pandering” to Muslims in your day to day life? I would love to know what that involves.

Raintoday2323 · 04/03/2026 19:33

I've made a small change of my work day by not eating my lunch at my desk in front of fasting colleagues. Its just a simple respectful change.
I like my colleagues and want to be as helpful as I can. Its not a huge ask that they want people to be accepting of other religions.

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 19:32

SqueakyDoor · 04/03/2026 19:31

Ah, thank you

What counts as ill?

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I think it's any illness which means that not eating would cause issues. It seems fairly wide. The expectation as I understand it is that those who cannot fast will donate to a charity.

KatsPJs · 04/03/2026 19:32

SqueakyDoor · 04/03/2026 19:31

Ah, thank you

What counts as ill?

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Being ill counts as ill. Just like it does for anyone else.

KatsPJs · 04/03/2026 19:31

TheIceBear · 04/03/2026 19:27

I do agree a bit I must say. It would irritate me if an email went around about Lent for example . If they are going to do that they should send out an email regarding every single notable event of each and every religion out there .

What about all the Christmas-related emails and events every year? Do they bother you?

CurlewKate · 04/03/2026 19:31

BlueJuniper94 · 04/03/2026 19:26

I find it mind blowing how many posters here are so hostile to Christians but would never DREAM of being so dismissive or downright derogatory to Muslims, who clearly require the most careful and special pandering

So-what do Christians do that might require any special treatment at work? I am

SqueakyDoor · 04/03/2026 19:31

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 19:27

She would be exempt, as are menstruating women and those who are ill.

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Ah, thank you

What counts as ill?

KatsPJs · 04/03/2026 19:29

Whatothink · 04/03/2026 17:45

I think religion should be separate from work and not pushed onto others.

So I’m assuming you continue working throughout Christmas, on Good Friday and on Easter Monday in protest?

CurlewKate · 04/03/2026 19:29

SqueakyDoor · 04/03/2026 19:25

Genuine question: what happens when a Ramadan-observing woman gives birth, does she have to wait hours until she can officially "break fast" after being in labour?

No, she doesn’t. Any more than an orthodox Jewish woman has to wait until after Shabbat to give birth.

SisterTeatime · 04/03/2026 19:28

I think this sounds crazy, it’s unlikely to help anyone, unless you’re working in a religious field there is no need to talk about it at work. Just to be polite, civilised, open-minded and professional.

Equally, nobody should feel unable or afraid to mention religious obligations, for example, if relevant.

it wouldn’t do some workplaces any harm to remember that religion is a protected characteristic. Asking people to have meaningful conversations about Ramadan, though, is taking it quite a bit too far!

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 19:28

SunnyRedSnail · 04/03/2026 19:26

It is generally separate, but would it hurt to move a meeting by 15 minutes if someone wanted to prey?

I'm atheist and a teacher but am very considerate to those fasting at the moment as they might be feeling rather tired.

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I'm marking that as 5/10 for spelling mistake.

TheIceBear · 04/03/2026 19:27

I do agree a bit I must say. It would irritate me if an email went around about Lent for example . If they are going to do that they should send out an email regarding every single notable event of each and every religion out there .

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 19:27

SqueakyDoor · 04/03/2026 19:25

Genuine question: what happens when a Ramadan-observing woman gives birth, does she have to wait hours until she can officially "break fast" after being in labour?

She would be exempt, as are menstruating women and those who are ill.

SunnyRedSnail · 04/03/2026 19:26

Whatothink · 04/03/2026 17:45

I think religion should be separate from work and not pushed onto others.

It is generally separate, but would it hurt to move a meeting by 15 minutes if someone wanted to prey?

I'm atheist and a teacher but am very considerate to those fasting at the moment as they might be feeling rather tired.

BlueJuniper94 · 04/03/2026 19:26

I find it mind blowing how many posters here are so hostile to Christians but would never DREAM of being so dismissive or downright derogatory to Muslims, who clearly require the most careful and special pandering

SqueakyDoor · 04/03/2026 19:25

Genuine question: what happens when a Ramadan-observing woman gives birth, does she have to wait hours until she can officially "break fast" after being in labour?

Huckleberries · 04/03/2026 19:24

ilovesooty · 04/03/2026 18:03

No one has suggested instigating conversations. Encouraging means listening and being open to them if they arise.

Edited
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Does it?
Can I ask other posters? Is that how they would interpret it? That's not my interpretation of the word at all.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 04/03/2026 19:23

At my work place, we mention everyone’s religious observances - whether it’s celebration or something more solemn.

And people put on celebrations as and when it’s feasible/ someone has time.

You’re never going to have a workplace that doesn’t mention Christmas or Easter, for example, so keeping religion separate isn’t going to happen.

BlueJuniper94 · 04/03/2026 19:21

BauhausOfEliott · 04/03/2026 19:17

Because it’s human decency to be understanding towards your colleagues?

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What I meant was, what needs to be done beyond the common consideration and decency I would extend to any of my colleagues

BillieWiper · 04/03/2026 19:21

RobinEllacotStrike · 04/03/2026 18:20

But I think religion is dangerous outdated nonsense - and I do not want to engage with my EMPLOYER or COLLEAGUES about it.

Think of this as "my religion" or my protected belief if it helps.

I can support eveyones right to freedom of religion, but I do not expect to be guided, or prompted in anyway about religion AT WORK.

I hear "Sally needs XYZ considerations/support/whatever because of her religion" as "Sally needs you to please kindly think about her magical invisible friend" - which I will not do.

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But them sending a round robin about Ramadan and saying if anyone wants to talk about it and it's meaning then speak to or go to xyz isn't commanding you to do or think anything. They're not trying to convert people to islam.

If you've no interest in religion just ignore it.

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 19:21

BlueJuniper94 · 04/03/2026 19:12

That is not an unreasonable belief

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On what basis is it not unreasonable?

JLou08 · 04/03/2026 19:20

"showing visible support,encouraging meaningful conversations, and deepening our understanding of the experiences of those of observences”

That's not pushing religion on you. They're not making you go to prayer or fast. It's just about support and respect. We should support and respect anyone. Your post shows the need for these type of messages.
Do you have issue with talk about Christmas and Easter at work or is it just Islam that bothers you?