Wiccan in need!!!?

Question

I have a coworker who has been harrassing me and my freind for over a year...
Recently she hunted us down on myspace., and began printing things and sent them to Human Reasorces, and our boss in an attempt to get us fired... we didnt say aything about work or her... she twisted our words....
However she still read a lot of things that included personal details about our families, and personal lives including our religion...
we are fed up with being harassed and are filing formal harasment complaints.... Should I mention my religion in the report? about how I fear she will try to use it agaisnt me? discriminate agaisnt me more??? Is the portential benifit worth the risk??? HELP!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Touchy subject, and can I just say what a nasty you know what this person must be to be doing this to you!!! In voodoo/hoodoo we don't believe in bad vibes coming back threefold...shall I do a spell for you?

I would personally try to keep your religion out of it if you can, and if you can't I would still try to keep yoru decription as vague as possible. Just say you practice an alternative religion. The details are no one's business. And you have a right in this country to believe in what you want to believe...freedom of religion is what brought us here after all. So, try and keep it as personal as you possibly can. But I would definitely proceed with the harrassment process. Good luck!

Answer 2

I've had a similar thing happen where I used to work. A co-worker and I were having what I thought a "friendly" on-line debate entirely off work - then he brought his pastor in to it and his pasto was a troll so I finally told him where to go - this so called friend then took the stuff his pastor sent him to my boss in an attempt to get me fired - who just dismissed it, which is great because the boss's wife is a minister herself and they run a church but they are fair and open minded and really are pretty good friends too. Basically if if does go in the workplace it can be considered harassment and is against the law. However, like my other old boss they can find other ways to skirt around it and make up reasons it can go against you. I would not personally file official complaints unless you are sure you have a backup in case it backfires or if you are sure that the higher-ups are pagan friendly. Technically there is supposed to be no retaliation in any way against reports filed but that also is not always the case.(further lawsuits if you would get fired - the worse case scenario - are expensive and time consuming) Sadly there is still all types discrimination in the workplace - just the discriminators have gotten better had disguising it.

Answer 3

Well, firstly - know that anything on the internet is pretty much public information, so always think about stuff like this before you share personal information.

Yes - I say DO put that you are Wiccan in your report. It is a recognized religion and should NOT be used as a means to discriminate against you.

What you should have been doing all along is writing up incident reports, including the date and time, what she harassed you about, what was said, and the names of any witnesses. You should keep a copy at home for your own records, and give one to the HR Department EACH time this happens.

Eventually, HR will have to bring her into the office and tell her to stop harassing you, and if she continues, SHE should be the one who gets fired.

Answer 4

Beat her to the punch. Let your religion be known to those that it is necessary to have know it. Definately include it in your report and let it be known that you feel that your religion is part of why this person has been harassing you and your friend.

One of the reasons that we pagans ahve such a hard time is because too many of us hide who and what we are for the sake of expediency. Unfortunately this hiding makes it possible for others to do and/or say thigns about us that get taken seriously becasue people don't know the truth. It also makes us more vulnerable because other pagans might not know there are other pagans about until someone comes out. There is a risk...there is ALWAYS a risk...in revealing those beleifs....but it is best to have all the facts out so that someone CAN'T use them against you.

Answer 5

Mention the harassment, and yes, file a formal complaint. If what this co-worker is doing is going after you because of you religious beliefs then by all means mention that too. Religious discrimination and harassment in the work place IS against the law.

Oh, by law you can't be fired for reporting that kind of harassment, and if they attempt to "nudge" you out, document that and sue.

Answer 6

Good for you!!!! And I would point out that myspace is your PRIVATE thoughts on ANY given matter. Even if you came right out and put on myspace that she's a *****, there isn't a damn thing she can do about, because it is not AT work that you are doing this (I hope it isn't anyway). I can go home and put a banner on my front lawn that some of the people I work with are skanks... and there isn't anything they can do, except maybe the same thing. I wouldn't be putting personal things online like that, though. Unless it wasn't "Public" but just on part of your site, then there isn't anything you can do about that. Not even myspace can help you there. Personally, I would add that you are worried that she is using this to get you in trouble and that she may even go so far as to try to use your religion against you. I would discuss all of this with your boss, IF you feel you can discuss it with him/her. Just know that after you do this, you are going to have to be on your toes to keep her from getting anything on you AT work. When you are at home and she tries this with your boss, I'd point out that it isn't any of her business, nor the companies business, what you do at home.

Answer 7

You should file a report. You should specifically mention your religion. Your employers ought to know enough about this to know that theyll just more trouble for themselves if *they* discriminate against you becuase of your religion.

And Sue B, what are you suggesting here? That a person who is doing this kind of thing, which is both illegal and unethical, is some sort of messenger from your God? Is THAT the kind of person/behavior that you think will bring people to your religion? It's OK with you that someone is doing this if it means that your religion gets another convert?

Egad.

Answer 8

Say she is discriminating against you. You don't have to mention which religion you follow.

Then go home, put her full name on a piece of paper, into a baggie, fill with water, and throw it in the freezer, slam the door... She'll leave you alone.

Answer 9

I wish you the best of luck, and i think you should mention it only if you believe that it is relevant.

You said she has been sending info on your religion to your Boss trying to get you fired? then you should mention your religion in the complaint.

I hope you get what you are wanting out of this.

Answer 10

I think you should talk to your boss and remind him/her that you feel that your lifestyle and religious beliefs are private and that you are disturbed that someone in the office is interfering in your personal life. Tell your boss that you hope that this negativity from your fellow worker doesn't influence his/her view of your character, ability or performance. Say that you would appreciate it if he/she would talk to this person and to remind them that freedom of expression and religious belief is something we as Americans hold in high regard.
I think this would enhance your status as a person of principal and your boss and your fellow workers will respect you for it.