Religion in the workplace

[Whatothink]

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!!!

Do you get Christmas and Easter Sunday off?

It's a suggestion, not an order.

Where to start... it's not about religious guidance, education or interference, it's about supporting colleagues no matter their religion, and you/we should accept religion is an important part of many people's lives even if it not part of ours.

Does this really matter to you?

Did you call this out at Christmas?

Or Easter?

No?

Though not.

But I think religion is dangerous outdated nonsense - and I do not want to engage with my EMPLOYER or COLLEAGUES about it.

Think of this as "my religion" or my protected belief if it helps.

I can support eveyones right to freedom of religion, but I do not expect to be guided, or prompted in anyway about religion AT WORK.

I hear "Sally needs XYZ considerations/support/whatever because of her religion" as "Sally needs you to please kindly think about her magical invisible friend" - which I will not do.

I learnt years ago not to ask if a child ( girls school ) was fasting as it could be interpreted as asking a teen if they have their period amongst other things

it’s good to learn to be kind and informed
it is in no way pushing it on you

also all the people saying no personal stuff in the workplace , you should safe to bring your whole self to work and most people with a faith it’s a vital part of them I love getting to know a persons culture

It’s not being forced on you. You’re being asked to be considerate to colleagues who are fasting.

Do you 'engage' in religious bank holidays?

You go into work at Easter and Christmas?

Tell me more…

Sounds massive overkill.

You can bet they won't give this same consideration for Easter.

Religion is interwoven into every aspect of society. You ain’t gonna get rid of it any time soon. Don’t worry about it op just get on with your day and no I don’t follow any religion.

Yes please be considerate of those colleagues who may have overindulged in chocolate over the coming days and may not be feeling their best. 😁

I hate that "bring your whole self to work"nonsense. No thanks, just bring the part that does a good job. I'm with you op, Ramadan is also being rammed down our throats, with several staff doing on line articles of their personal experiences all over the intranet and how we can help them. Nobody does this for easter/lent.

"you/we should accept religion is an important part of many people's lives"

Why? Why to the extent that I need to modify/alter my behaviour to accommodate colleagues religion Will colleagues also modify their behaviours to accommodate my beliefs? Where does it end? Will we all sit around and share our various beliefs & have our employer ensure we all respect them? All of them? This is well outside of any employers remit.

I want nothing to do with religion. I care not what anyones religion is so in that sense I do treat everyone the same.

I imagine that an employer who would raise anything to do with religion wont want to hear my thoughts & beliefs about it. Unless they are inviting all views (which is ridiculous) they really should not raise any issues around religion at work.

If someone wants to fast or whatever that is their business - not mine.

I agree.

Which is fortunate because I don’t try to push atheism onto my Muslim & Hindu colleagues, and they don’t try to push their faiths onto me during Ramadan & Diwali. We all respect each other & our different beliefs. Or lack of them.

Isn’t that how a multicultural society is supposed to work?

I don’t understand the “do you work over Easter and Christmas?” comments. If the workplace is closed then no one is working regardless of religion.

OP I’m sorry you’ve been bashed on this thread. I would be irritated if it was me. I don’t need to me reminded to be considerate of my colleagues, I already know. I don’t think we need to be considerate of one religion over another and it doesn’t need to be brought into the workplace.

they aren't religious holiday in the UK.
They have been called "bank holidays" for decades, and yes I take them along with the rest of the country. Who doesnt love a day/week off? (my employer gives us 2 weeks off at Xmas).
For me, and most people I know, there is nothing religious about it.

Though Cheese Week will be sacred forever.

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

I would wonder what meaningful conversations I was meant to have. Also agree religion is private and should not spill into work. In my workplace, global organisation, we do not say happy Christmas, but the American happy holidays. So many of our colleagues around the world do not celebrate Christmas.

Why? Why to the extent that I need to modify/alter my behaviour to accommodate colleagues religion Will colleagues also modify their behaviours to accommodate my beliefs?
You have specifically said you have no religion - neither do I so I don't actually need any accommodations. I just respect others as human beings.

no they are closed as the days are deemed by the govt to be public holidays.

While they may have originated from religion, we all enjoy these holidays regardless of our religious observance or lack thereof. They are UK wide holidays - not holidays for followers of Jesus.

Exactly its not the kind of gotcha people think it is

We used to have a corner shop that did open Christmas day the owner was a white British Christian the shops owned by other religious people (regardless of colour) stayed closed but he left church and opened his shop for one hour every Christmas day he did good business too

It's surprising what people forget to buy

Well why don’t you write an article if you’re that bothered about Easter or Lent?