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!!!

Me neither, bring them all on, this atheist is happy to welcome any and all public holidays!

Do you get time off for Xmas? Easter maybe? Are there Xmas and Easter related screensavers or messages? Is that pushing Christianity? I’m guessing the office didn’t shut down for Eid or Hanukkah or Diwali? Sounds like religions aren’t treated equally then and Christianity has special treatment.

It's very much a minority religion in the UK. About 5% of British people are Muslims. The issue is not that people are saying 'happy Ramadan', it's that they are actively promoting religious observance in the workplace in a very performative way. It's not actually helpful to anyone, hence why it's performative, because it isn't appropriate to make assumptions about what a religious person might want. If a person observing a religious festival needs a special accommodation, the most appropriate thing is for them to approach their seniors and ask for it.

Of course I don’t. However, is there another one that prescribes strict fasting during the working day? Obviously some Orthodox Jews do-but I wouldn’t have an issue with making accommodations for them as well.

My workplace publicises all religions' traditions. Some are a bit more disruptive to work than others, but we all get on with it, and each other. No-one is sidelined.
I do feel a bit irritated at the suggestion to admire people's faith, which sometimes is implied. You don't need to have faith to have meaningful conversations. That goes for all religions though.

Ramadan observing woman typically have common sense one hopes and wouldn't fast if they were in labour... I mean I've never ever ever met a woman who fasted whilst in labour personally. And I know a lot of Ramadan observing woman who are mothers.

Oh sorry I forgot where I was....!

Yes, people of various religions will do a strict fast at some points. Obviously levels of observance will vary in Islam and in other religions. But my workplace is not promoting understanding and accommodations during Maha Shivaratri or Yom Kippur or Lent. It's really odd, for some reason being pro-Islam is considered progressive, so public sector organisations really support it, alongside things like trans visibility and Black History Month. I don't know why other religions don't get the same look in but they just don't have the progressive aura.

Come on now you are being deliberately stubborn and ridiculous I’ve already told you I hate Christmas and that I don’t actually believe in any religion. I don’t think any extra emails should start going around about religious festivals and practices at work . And not specifically Islam I mean any religion at all. If emails started going around about “advent” for example that would annoy me just as much .

Yeah, it’s a bit much. One email to remind employees that it’s Ramadan and that practising Muslims may be observing and to outline what adjustments the company was making for those employees during that time and how it would affect all other employees, would suffice.

I think I’d be annoyed at my workplace telling me to show visible support (not sure what that means) and to encourage talking about religion (presumably without criticism) with a practicing Christian so I do get the OP’s point to some extent.

So we should be lectured to and supportive for colleagues whose religion is not tolerant of others

@Whatothink that’s a bit of a broad sweeping generalisation. Come on now

You are coming across as quite obtuse, once more posting a comment that needs interpretation. I think you are saying, again, that you don't want to learn anything about different religions at work, and that you are Islamophobic. Please try and add something new next time you post.

Do you really want one of us to list all the ways various people in Christendom have not been “tolerant of others”? I’ll give you a moment to think about your answer.

I find Christianity in practice these days to be quite intolerant of others ... is that what you're on about?

The paradox of tolerance.

Though you're not 'allowed' to point this out 'cos Islamophobia 🙄

I agree as well. I live in Utah and had it both ways from the Mormons who don’t exactly preach but will go out of their way to exclude you from the conversation because they are talking some bullshit about their religion. Then I’ve been at workplaces where every one knows religion everyone else and we treat everyone with the utmost respect (by not talking about it all). So much more pleasant a work experience when we can just help each other and not religion into it!

workplaces have traditionally been supportive of Christianity. That support is such a part of the culture that people who are not outsiders do not always recognize it is happening.

Society implicitly supports Christianity throughout the culture, despite problems
with doctrine and institutions. Why should islam or any other religion be treated differently?

Can't remember any leaders of the modern Christian church proclaiming 'death to non-believers' or issuing Fatwas, but maybe I'm wrong.

Lol do you think they actually think that? Do you think there is more to critique in Christianity than Islam? Be good to hear it.

See why don’t you just begin by saying you’re Islamophobic rather than pretending to care about workers’ rights. It’s so disingenuous - just be honest.

Because we are a country and culture that has been built on Christianty. Like it or not this is the software package that has shaped your beliefs and values of kindness, tolerance and hospitality to outsiders. Can you name any Islamic countries that extend that welcome to Christians within it?

I’m not interested in having an actual religious debate, I’m more interested in the rampant Islamophobia and racism apparent in this thread.

As I have said before, I have no dog/cat/budgie in this race…

People being intolerant of Islam and following Christianity need to recognise the murky depths of their own religion surely? The Crusades?!

But it was so long ago… I wasn’t alive then… I’m allowed to be a bigot NOW.

Exactly the same mentality that led to religious wars… guess what, neither side is innocent!

When I saw the way this thread was going I thought exactly the same. I had hoped people would be more sensible and sophisticated in 2026.