New job, employer pushing religion

[morethanspice]

I’ve started a job as a carer in a private household and the family are very religious (Christian) I’m respectful but don’t share the views but more and more I’m being harassed somehow by the mother telling me to let Jesus in to my life etc. I think she should stop it, AIBU?

Find another job

Oh wow. I'm a Christian but this is far too much. Can you speak to her and say it's making you feel uncomfortable and if it continues you don't feel you will be able to continue working there? Others may have better advise

Wow. That's a bit much!

It would be perfectly reasonable for you to say that unless she has something to say to you that is directly related to your role, i.e. the care of the person you are there to help, then you'd prefer that she doesn't engage and leaves you to get on with your job.

Are you employed by an agency? It would also be perfectly appropriate for them to remind her that her personal views and beliefs should be kept to herself.

Tell her you're a scientologist. Seriously though, that's not on. Are you directly employed by them or via another organisation?

I think you need to find a way to close this down - make it about you and what you're comfortable with in what is a workplace foe you - and state you respect their beliefs and start looking for another job if the reaction isn't good. It's really not on. Would they try to convert you if you had a different religion?

I would tell her that you respect her beliefs, and you'd ask that she also does you the courtesy of respecting yours, otherwise you will need to part ways.

Like yourself I'd completely respect their choices, but not that they're trying to foist them on you

It's worth a try at a conversation around "Please stop, you're making me uncomfortable", but it's unlikely to work if they perceive it as a challenge to save you from yourself, and personally I'd look elsewhere before the person you're caring for comes to rely on you too much

tell her you're a pagan or a devil worshipper - and you won't foist your personal beliefs on her if she keeps quiet about hers.

'I'd prefer not to talk about religion in my workplace. I hope you understand'.
If they don't respect that I'd be looking for a new client if they're making you feel uncomfortable.

You're in a private household. The lady is obviously needing care or you wouldn't be employed. At this time she feels comfort from her faith.

Either leave the job or just suck it up and ignore. Please don't tell her she's making you uncomfortable in her own home. Maybe you'd be best off in a care home where you can be blunt to residents.

I can't believe the sarcastic and down right nasty responses people are suggesting. You can't be rude to someone in their own home.

She isn't asking you to drink the blood of the ressurected lamb.

I think she definitely sees me as a challenge. I have found the job very challenging for other reasons such as hygiene issues and poor moving and handling practice but the feeling she’s trying to convert me is stressing me out. I have told her I’m not religious but I think she will never drop it.

To clarify the mother is not the recipient of care, it’s another family member who is unable to communicate.

"Her own home" in this instance is also a place of employment, and she has no right to subject OP to any sort of behaviour that wouldn't be tolerated in any other place of employment. OP also has every right to expect to be treated no differently to she would in any conventional workplace.

There's no need to be so rude. Telling someone you're a devil worshipper ffs.

I can't believe some of you are parents it's so vindictive.

I wonder if you'd be so quick to pull them up if it wasn't Christianity.

I'm a Christian but would never do this, it's really disrespectful.

To be honest op I'd ask her directly if your differing views are a problem and if they'd prefer a Christian carer. If they say no of course not then I'd say that you are completely respectful of their faith but you find it disrespectful when she's repeatedly asking you to convert to Christianity as you've already told her this isn't something you'd consider.

If you don't feel you can have the conversation directly then I'd smile and nod and look for something else. Or just smile nod and change the topic every single time until she gets the message.

I’m employed directly and the mother is the main carer so most of the time is spent with her. I am totally supportive of their faith but do not wish to be involved and do not want to be told what God or Jesus has to say about me.

I haven't suggested OP says anything, beyond reiterating her basic rights as an employee.

And yes, the particular religion in question is irrelevant, although I have a hard time imagining this happening in any scenario other than where it involves Christianity.

I think you can raise it with her kindly and respectfully. I don't see anything wrong with saying that while you completely respect her religion, it makes you uncomfortable when she tries to involve you. If that doesn't work, I'd look for another job.

She can take all the comfort she likes from her faith. What is utterly inappropriate is trying to force that faith on the OP. She has rights as an employee and your comment is ludicrous.

I think @Lavender14 nails it. Professional and respectful without being a doormat. You could also repeat it over and over every time she tries it on.

“I’m an atheist and that won’t change.” Deadpan face. Repeat ad nauseam.

Tell them you are a pastafarian and worship at the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster 🍝
www.spaghettimonster.org

Is that employed directly on their payroll, or, you are "employed directly" as in not through an agency, but are still self-employed?

This matters immensely, as each of the two scenarios has it's own set of dynamics.

Get another job. She will not leave you alone. She is on a mission to save your soul.