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?

The PPE thing I think is connected to her general assumption that her way is superior to institutional care and that as we work in a family home we are expected to conform to the family way of doing things

The "family way of doing things" is fair enough up to a point, OP, but not when it contavenes your rights as an employee - something they don't seem to have much of a grasp on

Sadly, the more you write the more obvious it becomes that a move may be needed, though as said I'd at least try the "conversation" first, if only to assure yourself you couldn't have done anything else

One glove that is washed????

I think the religious side is slightly separate to the poor practice side.

She shouldn't be harassing you at your work. I grew up in this life and there is a call to witness and they genuinely believe you are going to hell at present which is why she is being like this. I think I would say quite clearly 'I am happy to work in your home and really enjoy looking after X and can appreciate that there would be christian music and conversation throughout the home. However I have made it clear on numerous conversations that this is not what I believe and I am finding the daily witnessing inappropriate and I would like it to stop.'

The other stuff would cause me real problems. PPE should be provided for your protection. It should be worn for exposure to bodily fluids. We do overwear gloves, so if I was cleaning their face or doing their hair etc I wouldn't wear gloves but while providing intimate personal care and have the potential to be exposed to bodily fluids I absolutely would.
With M +H I would be refusing the moves to be honest. I will never forget seeing a little old man with a black necrotic sacrum from being dragged up and down the bed every day without a slide sheet because his family knew best. Pressure ulcers can be caused by prolonged shear and friction damage. Not to mention the strain on your back.
It's exceptionally difficult because of the set up where you are employed in the home but you are the trained professional and if she won't move safely or allow you to pop a pair of gloves on then I would be prepared to walk.

Yep they still move the person up the bed using the old fashioned linking hands underneath. They have a glide sheet but only use it on the when transferring. The hoist is only used at night. The person has cerebral palsy and is completely helpless. I could go on and on about all the things that are concerning but there’s nowhere to take them.

But venting on here is helping so thanks 😊

I was quoting someone else, just had a bold fail.

😂

If she's got a sense of humour, which she may well not, I'd respond with a smile saying 'i did try once but he said he wasn't interested'. Then just laugh and change the subject.
Or if you want to be more subtle just smile and say 'l'm good, thank you'.
I guess if it's more forceful than that then could it be breach of contract? If the job didn't specify you needed to be Christian/willing to be converted to Christianity?

You seem so adamantly against it. Could you just pay lip service to it and like not really react but just stay neutral?

If you have concerns about the care the family is providing for this person you should be reporting them to either the child or adult safeguarding team as relevant.

You have a responsibility to do this if you feel the 'family' practices are actually causing your patient harm.

I’d just smile, ignore and do my own thing.

I’m not against their beliefs but I don’t share them and it’s not specified in the job description. I have tried smiling neutrally. I just want to do the job in a safe environment.

I appreciate this. I’m not sure if I have grounds as learning disabilities are not my experience. I find mealtimes rather disturbing but they say the swallow must be maintained. I think the family believe they are doing everything right.

If you're not sure, it is best to refer. The team will take a look at it and will be able to ascertain if there are any risks or if the care is safe.

If it is found to be safe nothing will happen.

Even if you leave, please report your concerns. You say this individual is non verbal - they have no voice to complain if the care that is being given to them by their family is hurting them.

Unsafe Manual handling practices can be very painful for patients as well as dangerous for carers.

Just because they are family, does not mean they do not have to create a safe working environment and good quality care.

“I find mealtimes rather disturbing but they say the swallow must be maintained.”

Swallowing food? If you are uneasy you MUST report this.

Choking is a real thing.

I think you mentioned Cerebral palsy, which is not a learning difficulty, although some people with CP will also have learning difficulties. Some will not.

Even if they cannot communication verbally, they should be enabled to voice their opinions in some way.

Some info here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cerebral-palsy/
https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/cerebral-palsy-introduction

Not being facetious, but I suspect if she is such a fervent believer, she may well be under the impression that Jesus will also give protection against cross contamination etc and therefore basic hygiene and sensible manoeuvring practices are needless as they are taken care of by a higher power.

As with any religion, those at the extreme end seem to be under the impression that the more people they can recruit, the more brownie points they have to get into heaven too.

I agree you should not be harassed at your place of work morethanspice. However I am more concern about the incorrect / poor manual handling and hygiene situation which effects both you and the caree.
Please report these to the local social services - to protect both of you, and the rest of the family for that matter.

You CAN be rude to someone in their own home if it is their workplace and they are overstepping. It is NOT appropriate and she should keep her beliefs quiet. OP could actually leave and pursue a claim for constructive dismissal.

Just to say, I am not rude, in fact I’m very tolerant and polite

You don’t buy the right to harass people when you hire them for their professional
services. I can’t believe that you think someone making others in their employ uncomfortable is ok because you pay them.

Tell me you’re a Christian who pushes their beliefs on others, without telling me you’re a Christian who pushes their beliefs on others.

An update, I’ve handed in my notice and have sent an email to the organisation funding care re my concerns

Good on you, OP; FWIW I think you've done exactly the right thing

From some of your earlier posts it seems you may not be the first this has happened to, and while of course they're absolutely entitled to their private views they need to learn that it's simply not acceptable to carry on as they have

Whether this'll make any difference is anyone's guess, but at least you've done what you can to protect yourself and possibly others still to come