Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would you apply for a job that you morally disagree with in my situation?

209 replies

Beezknees · 17/07/2023 17:53

Was made redundant not long ago. I'm a single mum, living in rented accommodation. Don't have a huge amount of savings and I'm now having to claim full UC and JSA. DS is 15 so childcare is not an issue, I'm applying for anything and everything that's suitable as I really don't want to be out of work for long. I've got no qualifications or specialist knowledge, I was a lone parent by 18 and have always worked whatever fit around DS, so I can't really afford to be fussy and the market is tough right now.

I have my CV up on various job sites and had a message from somebody who likes my CV and has invited me to apply for a job. The money is probably better than anything I'd get elsewhere but I'm not sure if I could do a job where I morally disagree with some of the fundamentals (it is a charity but there is a religious element to the organisation without being too outing) I am not religious and don't really agree with the notion of organised religion.

Would you apply?

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 17/07/2023 18:36

I think I'd do nearly any job if my kids needed me to.

You can always keep looking for something more agreeable. You don't have to be there long.

Original poster
Beezknees · 17/07/2023 18:36

LakeTiticaca · 17/07/2023 18:27

Depends whether or not you can afford to have scruples OP, not everyone can

Well I suppose that's the other moral issue. We won't starve, UC will cover my rent and bills and I can buy food. But do I want to live on UC when I am able to work? Not really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beezknees · 17/07/2023 18:37

changingmyname143 · 17/07/2023 18:34

I think it depends on the role, and how strongly you feel about it. If you're doing finance administration I would say that feels less conflicted than, you know, abortion activist event manager. Being flippant but - you get the drift.

It's admin, that's what I have a background in.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Jongleterre · 17/07/2023 18:37

A Christian based faith them I would accept.

Any other religion, particularly Islam I would not.

Kingsparkle · 17/07/2023 18:40

I had to do some consulting for a Baptist organisation and I hated it. I was very opposed to their beliefs and was glad when it was over. In your situation I probably would apply, they will likely discount you for no religion, from experience.

Kingsparkle · 17/07/2023 18:40

Jongleterre · 17/07/2023 18:37

A Christian based faith them I would accept.

Any other religion, particularly Islam I would not.

@Jongleterre - why is that then?

Lolasgame · 17/07/2023 18:42

Nowitstarts · 17/07/2023 18:35

The minister at our Salvation Army church wears a rainbow badge.

Show quote history

Was it june buy any chance.

MogsMa · 17/07/2023 18:42

I'm a bit confused about the abortion clinic thing. Are you saying the charity harasses women outside abortion clinics or was that a general swipe at religion?

If you just don't like organised religion then I think I'd apply. If there is something specific (like harassing women) that they actually do that you don't like, I would not.

Original poster
Beezknees · 17/07/2023 18:46

MogsMa · 17/07/2023 18:42

I'm a bit confused about the abortion clinic thing. Are you saying the charity harasses women outside abortion clinics or was that a general swipe at religion?

If you just don't like organised religion then I think I'd apply. If there is something specific (like harassing women) that they actually do that you don't like, I would not.

No the charity itself doesn't do that I don't think. They do hold anti abortion views.

OP posts:
Mamansparkles · 17/07/2023 18:50

I'd suggest if you do apply, do some research. You are making general swipes against religion based on some minority views that are really quite rare in the UK church (are you thinking of the US Bible belt? Or some minority Catholic organisations?) The CofE has its failings and its occasional dodgy individual just like any large organisation but it is generally mainstream and teaches non offensive values like 'love each other'. It also does a LOT of charity work (recently valued at several million pounds worth of charity and social justice work a year, that's just CofE and just UK).
I've worked for the CofE in the past (although I'm not CofE) and our contract included that we were 'in sympathy with the values of the Church of England'. You don't seem to know what those values even are, and I certainly wouldn't have hired you with that attitude to and ignorance of the CofE.

Screamingabdabz · 17/07/2023 18:51

And this is why religion is a protected characteristic. Because people who have no actual insight or understanding will attribute inaccurate information to whole groups. It’s a small step that can end up with dire consequences if lots of other ill-informed pitchforkers get behind it.

NoSquirrels · 17/07/2023 18:54

Mamansparkles · 17/07/2023 18:50

I'd suggest if you do apply, do some research. You are making general swipes against religion based on some minority views that are really quite rare in the UK church (are you thinking of the US Bible belt? Or some minority Catholic organisations?) The CofE has its failings and its occasional dodgy individual just like any large organisation but it is generally mainstream and teaches non offensive values like 'love each other'. It also does a LOT of charity work (recently valued at several million pounds worth of charity and social justice work a year, that's just CofE and just UK).
I've worked for the CofE in the past (although I'm not CofE) and our contract included that we were 'in sympathy with the values of the Church of England'. You don't seem to know what those values even are, and I certainly wouldn't have hired you with that attitude to and ignorance of the CofE.

I agree with this, tbh. OP, you don’t seem sure (or at least you haven’t articulated it on this thread) exactly what the organisation you’re thinking of working for does and/or supports.

Kingsparkle · 17/07/2023 18:58

Unfortunately anti-abortion views are not at all rare within Christianity in the UK. They are pretty mainstream within Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal and Seventh Day Adventist which all have many members in the UK. There are also hardliners in the CofE. The C of E church is not all sweetness and light.

Yarnorama · 17/07/2023 19:01

If the job sounds interesting and it works for you then go for it, you don't have to change your own beliefs and it's doesn't have to be forever.

And this has just reminded me that I worked as a temp in a poll tax office one summer despite having never paid poll tax and attending protests.

MogsMa · 17/07/2023 19:04

It sounds like you need to find out a lot more about it and about the C of E before you can make a decision- presumably the organisation would also be looking for some understanding of what they do and their relationship with the C or E and what that is, when they interview you.

QueensBees · 17/07/2023 19:07

id Go for it.
Nothing is stopping you from carrying in looking fur another job.
And having a better paid job, prob associated with more responsibilities too, would help you move up the ladder too - if you decide you really can’t cope with the environment (for what you know, these views might never ever be mentioned whilst you are at work - depends a lot on the job within the organisation)

Willmafrockfit · 17/07/2023 19:08

i would
good for your CV

WillowtreeHouse · 17/07/2023 19:10

In this situation, for a role like that, yes I'd apply. I work in a C of E school and I'm not remotely religious but I have bills to pay at the end of the day and the hours and location suit me.

LotsOfThingsToThinkAbout · 17/07/2023 19:11

C of E has very outdated views on gay marriage. It's disgusting really. Maybe if you work for them then you can influence them! Change from within.

I couldn't work for a gambling or tobacco company! That would be a step too far although I'm sure there would be a point if I was absolutely desperate that I would. 'Every man has his price'

Dreamsy · 17/07/2023 19:13

Yes, I would. There are so many companies / entities out there who are not 100% aligned with our value system, but we all still need to work. You are a single mom and need a (good) job. Go for it and don't go into discussions re religions if you get it. Fingers crossed for you!!! :)

Oblomov23 · 17/07/2023 19:13

God yes, definitely. Once you get charity experience it opens up many other doors. I went for an interview for a charity - finance job. Didn't get it. It's one of the few job interviews I didn't get offered.

Anthillveggie · 17/07/2023 19:15

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oblomov23 · 17/07/2023 19:18

I'm not happy about this portrayal of churches, standing outside abortion clinics. Only niche parts that hold very strong views do that. Not every church going person in the uk!

Hoppinggreen · 17/07/2023 19:18

Jongleterre · 17/07/2023 18:37

A Christian based faith them I would accept.

Any other religion, particularly Islam I would not.

Why not?