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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:
loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 18:59

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:55

We need to start a support group!

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Can it also include the bloody Olympics? Do I get fed up with that! 😞

Ohfuckrucksack · 04/03/2026 18:59

Bank holidays are nothing to do with current religious practice. They are available for everyone (unless you work the many jobs where they aren't)

If you are contracted to work Bank holidays, no one will give you the time off just because you say you are religious and want to go to church - I know people that tried and they were told no.

They are rooted in a time when Christian holidays were pretty much the only holidays in town.

Having a religion and having no religion should be equal in terms of what is available to you in a working environment.

Having a religion should afford you no further time off in a workplace, either in work time or out of it.

Having a religion should not afford you extra consideration either - in fact I just don't want to know about your religion or belief system. Keep it between you and your god(s) or other religious leaders.

RobinEllacotStrike · 04/03/2026 18:59

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:44

They really are - we're not a secular country with the King being the Head of the Church. As I say, I'm a humanist, but they are considered religious holidays by Christian faithfuls. Whether the word 'bank' is applied or not.

Tell me about cheese week though...

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The sacred week of cheese runs from 26/12 to 31/12 - its delicious

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 18:59

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 18:42

I didn't really want to have meaningful conversation with anyone at work. The work itself was challenging enough without having to participate in meaningful conversation about religion. Where I worked we had a couple of people ( not related) who joined the happy clappies. They decided to bring their whole selves to work. Result: absolute chaos. Everything became about God /Jesus. Lots of long silences while they each decided if it was, what Jesus would do. The rest of us were trying to apply the legislation. In the end they had to be spoken to about whether they were still capable of doing the job.
So, please, whatever you believe in, can you just do the bloody job. If you find fasting difficult, take some annual leave.

Oh dear. Evangelising does get some Christians into hot water.

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:58

RobinEllacotStrike · 04/03/2026 18:55

but its @Zebedee999 's experience of her Muslim colleagues.

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I'm not denigrating her experience. But it is very limited experience. Two people. Out of I think circa 2 billion practicing Muslims? Should I not have said that my experience is different then? If not, why not? My experience is equally valid and more expansive than two people.

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 18:57

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:54

And Paganism before that!

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Wonderful, and much more in evidence in Sandinavia than in the UK.

godmum56 · 04/03/2026 18:57

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:55

We need to start a support group!

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yup. Stop the bloody BBC televising so much of it and then saying "everything we do is paid for by you so thank you" GRRRRR

RobinEllacotStrike · 04/03/2026 18:56

Humdingerydoo · 04/03/2026 18:54

I think it seems sensible to make coworkers aware that some people will be fasting and to eg ensure meetings are at a time that allows for this to take place without unnecessarily inconveniencing anyone.

If there's more to it than that you'll have to be a lot clearer, OP. Because at the moment you're just coming across as intolerant of other religions.

other religions?

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 18:56

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:54

Two men are horrible to their wives.

Not remotely my experience of my muslim colleagues.

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You are lucky. I've met many Muslim men who don't allow their wives any freedom. It depends on where you live in many cases.

pogletsbar · 04/03/2026 18:56

ilovesooty · 04/03/2026 18:03

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

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But I what if colleagues don’t want to listen?
what if colleagues don’t want to hear about other’s imaginary friends?

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:55

godmum56 · 04/03/2026 18:54

"I bloody hate football and think that gets shoved a lot more down my throat than anyone's religion!"

me too.

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We need to start a support group!

RobinEllacotStrike · 04/03/2026 18:55

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:54

Two men are horrible to their wives.

Not remotely my experience of my muslim colleagues.

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but its @Zebedee999 's experience of her Muslim colleagues.

loislovesstewie · 04/03/2026 18:54

The roots of most Christian holidays are knicked from other older rigions. If we are being pedantic Easter, Christmas are built on pagan festivities.

Humdingerydoo · 04/03/2026 18:54

I think it seems sensible to make coworkers aware that some people will be fasting and to eg ensure meetings are at a time that allows for this to take place without unnecessarily inconveniencing anyone.

If there's more to it than that you'll have to be a lot clearer, OP. Because at the moment you're just coming across as intolerant of other religions.

godmum56 · 04/03/2026 18:54

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 17:50

How is a religion being 'pushed on to you'? You're not being recruited!!

More likely it's just messages from the centre reminding people that those undertaking Ramadan require a few adjustments to support their practice.

I am a card-carrying Humanist - no religion means anything to me - but it means things to other people and there's nothing wrong with being informed about practices that others are undergoing. I used to manage a lovely woman who worked directly for me and who followed Ramadan - we staggered her start of the day due to tiredness due to getting up early to eat.

It's not a bad thing to be flexible and understanding.

I bloody hate football and think that gets shoved a lot more down my throat than anyone's religion!

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"I bloody hate football and think that gets shoved a lot more down my throat than anyone's religion!"

me too.

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:54

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 18:53

Of course capitalism trumps Christianity, but the roots of the Winter and Spring holidays are in the Christian faith.

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And Paganism before that!

Arlanymor · 04/03/2026 18:54

Zebedee999 · 04/03/2026 18:47

What is there to learn?

I learn that both my male Muslim colleagues wifes aren't allowed out their houses on their own, aren't allowed to learn English, have to be chaperoned to the doctors, and one of them married his 14 year old cousin.

Stuff understanding for that religion... but you go right ahead...

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Two men are horrible to their wives.

Not remotely my experience of my muslim colleagues.

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 18:53

xanthomelana · 04/03/2026 18:48

My workplace is closed over Easter because of trading laws. Smaller stores are allowed to open so religion doesn’t come into it anymore. Trust me when I say companies don’t put religious holidays over profits or they’d close all stores.

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Of course capitalism trumps Christianity, but the roots of the Winter and Spring holidays are in the Christian faith.

1000StrawberryLollies · 04/03/2026 18:50

saveforthat · 04/03/2026 18:43

I'm not bothered. I'm not religious but Christianity is still, I believe, the religion of the majority of British people. I'm with the op that it's not necessary to discuss religion at work.

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Does that mean it would be inappropriate to talk about Christmas at work? To mention going to your child's nativity play? Or going to a carol service?

ilovesooty · 04/03/2026 18:49

Zebedee999 · 04/03/2026 18:47

What is there to learn?

I learn that both my male Muslim colleagues wifes aren't allowed out their houses on their own, aren't allowed to learn English, have to be chaperoned to the doctors, and one of them married his 14 year old cousin.

Stuff understanding for that religion... but you go right ahead...

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So you think all Muslims are the same?

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 18:48

RobinEllacotStrike · 04/03/2026 18:45

Are you perhaps lost in the wilderness of the internet?
MN is a chat forum.

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I know exactly where I am, and where you are too: on a chat forum hosted on the Internet.

xanthomelana · 04/03/2026 18:48

IdaGlossop · 04/03/2026 18:33

You are missing the point. Many workplaces are closed at Easter and Christmas because of religion.

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My workplace is closed over Easter because of trading laws. Smaller stores are allowed to open so religion doesn’t come into it anymore. Trust me when I say companies don’t put religious holidays over profits or they’d close all stores.

Zebedee999 · 04/03/2026 18:47

BigYellowBus · 04/03/2026 17:48

Then don't bother being friendly to your Muslim colleagues or learning anything from them. i'm sure they'll be devastated...

Presumably you won't be wishing anyone Happy Christmas

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What is there to learn?

I learn that both my male Muslim colleagues wifes aren't allowed out their houses on their own, aren't allowed to learn English, have to be chaperoned to the doctors, and one of them married his 14 year old cousin.

Stuff understanding for that religion... but you go right ahead...

Liminal1975 · 04/03/2026 18:47

Whatothink · 04/03/2026 17:45

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

If they are raising awareness of Ramadan this can only be a good thing.

We don't serve food (like muffins etc, we do have tea/coffee/water) at meetings in Ramadan. There really is no need and I'm happy to make anything a bit easier for my Muslim colleagues.

As a Christian doing a rubbish job of observing Lent, I have the deepest respect for those fasting. And I'll happily wish my colleagues Ramadan Mubarak.

CakeMindsThinkAlike · 04/03/2026 18:46

ilovesooty · 04/03/2026 18:03

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

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I disagree. Listening and being open to conversations is tolerance. Encouraging conversations is strongly suggesting instigating. I'm not interested in religion, any religion, so I wouldn't be instigating conversations on the topic, just like I wouldn't want to start a conversation about cricket or football. I might smile and nod (tolerate) such topics but would really rather not have to.