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!!!

I didn't really want to have meaningful conversation with anyone at work. The work itself was challenging enough without having to participate in meaningful conversation about religion. Where I worked we had a couple of people ( not related) who joined the happy clappies. They decided to bring their whole selves to work. Result: absolute chaos. Everything became about God /Jesus. Lots of long silences while they each decided if it was, what Jesus would do. The rest of us were trying to apply the legislation. In the end they had to be spoken to about whether they were still capable of doing the job.
So, please, whatever you believe in, can you just do the bloody job. If you find fasting difficult, take some annual leave.

I don't need awareness or knowledge of anyones religion to respect them as human beings.

Possibly many religious people will be insulted or upset about your and my lack of belief. I don't care and neither should you. That is kind of my point - these are all personal beliefs and shouldnt impact on other people.

I do not need you to correct me. But for Christianity, the UK would not have major public holidays for everyone at those times.

I'm not bothered. I'm not religious but Christianity is still, I believe, the religion of the majority of British people. I'm with the op that it's not necessary to discuss religion at work.

They really are - we're not a secular country with the King being the Head of the Church. As I say, I'm a humanist, but they are considered religious holidays by Christian faithfuls. Whether the word 'bank' is applied or not.

Tell me about cheese week though...

Are you perhaps lost in the wilderness of the internet?
MN is a chat forum.

I disagree. Listening and being open to conversations is tolerance. Encouraging conversations is strongly suggesting instigating. I'm not interested in religion, any religion, so I wouldn't be instigating conversations on the topic, just like I wouldn't want to start a conversation about cricket or football. I might smile and nod (tolerate) such topics but would really rather not have to.

If they are raising awareness of Ramadan this can only be a good thing.

We don't serve food (like muffins etc, we do have tea/coffee/water) at meetings in Ramadan. There really is no need and I'm happy to make anything a bit easier for my Muslim colleagues.

As a Christian doing a rubbish job of observing Lent, I have the deepest respect for those fasting. And I'll happily wish my colleagues Ramadan Mubarak.

What is there to learn?

I learn that both my male Muslim colleagues wifes aren't allowed out their houses on their own, aren't allowed to learn English, have to be chaperoned to the doctors, and one of them married his 14 year old cousin.

Stuff understanding for that religion... but you go right ahead...

My workplace is closed over Easter because of trading laws. Smaller stores are allowed to open so religion doesn’t come into it anymore. Trust me when I say companies don’t put religious holidays over profits or they’d close all stores.

I know exactly where I am, and where you are too: on a chat forum hosted on the Internet.

So you think all Muslims are the same?

Does that mean it would be inappropriate to talk about Christmas at work? To mention going to your child's nativity play? Or going to a carol service?

Of course capitalism trumps Christianity, but the roots of the Winter and Spring holidays are in the Christian faith.

Two men are horrible to their wives.

Not remotely my experience of my muslim colleagues.

And Paganism before that!

"I bloody hate football and think that gets shoved a lot more down my throat than anyone's religion!"

me too.

I think it seems sensible to make coworkers aware that some people will be fasting and to eg ensure meetings are at a time that allows for this to take place without unnecessarily inconveniencing anyone.

If there's more to it than that you'll have to be a lot clearer, OP. Because at the moment you're just coming across as intolerant of other religions.

The roots of most Christian holidays are knicked from other older rigions. If we are being pedantic Easter, Christmas are built on pagan festivities.

but its @Zebedee999 's experience of her Muslim colleagues.

We need to start a support group!

But I what if colleagues don’t want to listen?
what if colleagues don’t want to hear about other’s imaginary friends?

You are lucky. I've met many Muslim men who don't allow their wives any freedom. It depends on where you live in many cases.

other religions?

yup. Stop the bloody BBC televising so much of it and then saying "everything we do is paid for by you so thank you" GRRRRR