To have objected to ‘prayers’ at work

[Iamthewintersale]

Will try to keep this brief… Work in a team of 12, 6 in U.K. and 6 in USA ( mid-west) and once a week we have a team meeting that we take turns in running.

Tomorrow is the turn of A. A is a Republican, church goer, voted Trump because she wanted, quote ‘More money in my pocket book and illegals dealt with’.
So far so MAGA. This came up pre-election as she’s the only Trump fan on the team and was open about it.

On the agenda for the meeting is ‘Prayer’ as point one. I pinged manager a note saying what?? A thinks it would be nice to start off with a prayer. As a team. I have asked for it to be OFF the agenda. US manager thinks it’s ‘harmless’ but has said will clarify.

AIBU to think it’s totally inappropriate??? I’m an atheist for a start, most of my U.K. team are the same or at least agnostic.

Seems weird that she’s never tried this before, but suddenly Trump ‘god saved me to MAGA’ is inaugurated and a team prayer is in the agenda.
We are a large global company, BTW, not some local mom & pop outfit that sells bibles…

YANBU - work is secular. She keeps her views and prayers to herself own time.

YABU - lighten up, what harm can it do.

Well, if they are a Trump supporter, your prayer next time could be:

"Dear God, please look after our American cousins in these dark, dark days.

PS: why did you let them miss."

Just so inappropriate!

Mind you, I’d be offering to write the minutes from the meeting and wouldn’t hold back on point 1 ….

”Jane Do offered a prayer and several members of staff were gobsmacked and sent WTF emails about the inappropriate use of meeting time”

Date for next meeting tbc,
Agenda

1. Why religion and politics has no place in the workplace

Id let her then tell her it's your turn and start a pagan prayer or prayer from another religion. Hate people thrusting religion down others throats

Hmm, I worked for a Swiss German company and we kissed each other before meetings! I think I'd rather pray than air kiss the whole bloody office

Wtf!

This is more normal in America so I'd politely decline but not go off too harshly as that's a part of their culture. Lots of Americans pray/ want prayer in general life even if they don't actually believe themselves. It's as much a cultural thing as religious for them. But of course you shouldn't be pressured to take part!! Ask if you can join 5 mins later x

Ask them to stick the prayer on the end if they must (ridiculously) do it. At least then you can click off and leave as it starts and won't miss any of the essential work parts of the call. I wouldn't pray as I'm not religious and I'd be a massive hypocrite joining in. You are entitled to say that.

Go full tilt! Get a prayer mat... incense ball thing - swing it about... get some chanting going on in the background... light some candles.. get those bead things.. maybe you could self-flagellate...

I work on the East Coast and this would never fly, but our satellite offices in red states are full of religion. They send us lots of blessings via email! Never been in a meeting with any of them, though.

Can't people who aren't said religion just not join in with the prayers? The religious stuff is very culturally powerful in certain parts of the States, so you might find yourself in an uphill battle if the company is based in a red state and owned by red state people.

Religion should not be taken into work regardless of your faith. You are there for one thing and thats to do a job.

Religion aside, what does 'Prayer' even have to do with the meeting? Is it supposed to be a sort of ice breaker?

Suggest replacing it with something that would go down better with the UK team such as "Discuss Weather" or "Is Your Central Heating On"

I agree with prayer being inappropriate in a work setting, however the political views of your colleague are irrelevant and you could find yourself in trouble if you are so overtly disparaging about them to the colleague herself or to other work-mates.

Before she starts the meeting, tell her you're going to exercise your right to freedom of expression by putting her on mute. These emboldened fucktards need to get in their lane. It's gone to their heads and they've a rude awakening ahead of them when they realise that forcing people to do their bidding is not going to happen.

ETA: apologies if I come across a bit strong. I live in the US and am feeling it a bit.

I'd say, "I can understand why she needs to pray right now, given Trump is in office, but some of us are not believers, so I think this shouldn't be done in work time."

A Hail Mary would tip her over the edge. She’s in one of those evangelical type, the pope is a false prophet type churches.
Fuck it, if this goes ahead I’m doing a Hail Mary in Latin. I can just about remember it from school…

This is so inappropriate. I'm in the US and this would be very much a disciplinary actin no mater who she voted for. I'd take this straight to higher ups or HR. Extremely unprofessional as well as batshit crazy.

You can put her on silent then, surely?

Honestly, I'm struggling to understand the big deal. I have online meetings where the team chats about football/rugby from the weekend. I know that I can nip off and make a cup of tea and leave them to it. I won't be wagging my finger at them.

I'm not religious so I understand where you're coming from but you'd be better off keeping your views to yourself where religion is concerned in the workplace. I agree that it shouldn't be but if it is, tune out. Easiest thing to do without getting 'known' for the wrong things.

Be smart about it.

I would make a formal complaint to human resources.

If we sit by and let things like this happen out of "politeness" we are aiding and abetting the MAGAs and other superstitious fools who think their beliefs trump (no pun intended) those of everyone else.

With the way the world is tilting, we no longer can humour them. Seriously, make a curt and formal complaint. It's no longer a matter of tolerating the batshit. We have to actively push back and combat them.

The church tends to be a much bigger thing for Americans - it is like a status symbol for them. They are quite dedicated about it, along with the belief they have the right to own guns and women should not be allowed abortions.

I think if it's a US company based in the US with clients/suppliers/talent in the US then to some degree you just need to suck these cultural differences up.

However, this is a Global company. They should have an awareness of what is culturally appropriate in the countries they work in and with. I think it would be very remiss of the OP not to make them aware this is inappropriate in the UK (and Europe, and probably most countries) before they lose business/suppliers/talent over it.

Can you and maybe others claim to be Jedi with equal time ?

It's all very well saying don't participate, just listen, but depending on what the prayers are there could be all sorts of ramifications.

One that springs immediately to mind is what if she starts giving thanks for / voicing an opinion on the pro life law changes in the US, and some of the team have had terminations? That could easily make a work environment feel hostile and discriminatory.

As a direct result of my experience of Christian community I was brought up in I am hugely and adamantly against the interference in my life by any form of organised religion. My friends and colleagues faiths are many and none, they are good people, I love some of them, and I don’t hold them personally to account for the actions of their religious organisations. I have enjoyed weddings and festivals in churches, synagogues and sacred groves, delighted to have been invited and welcomed.

But I would not stand for them bringing any of that into my workplace or home, not even the ‘ah its harmless, just a bit praying, just stand to the side having your own thoughts for 10 minutes’. For me no, not acceptable, never will be.

I would actually let her go ahead and see what the prayer consists of on this occasion. It could be more political than religious and gives you something solid to take to HR to prevent in the future.

And assuming it takes 3 mins or less