when and where is freedom of religion in the work place acceptable? the dol (dept of labor) states that companies must make allowances for people of faith. However, are they going to far when placing religious material all over the workplace? with the workforce being so deverse, Is it an infringment on other peoples beliefs or non-beliefs? Because religion is protected in the workplace, how do one make it fair to everyone's faith and prevent lawsuits of discrimination?
I'm not sure what category to put it in without offending anyone?
2007-08-17 08:52:04 · 22 answers · asked by ieca909guy 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If a company is privately owned it has the authority to make the decision about religious pamphlets. If it allows for one religion, it should allow for all of them.
2007-08-17 08:56:48 · answer #1 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hun, you can't ask a question like this without offending anyone.
What you can do, is simply ignore any religious material you don't want to read. If it invades your workspace, toss it out, heck they're the ones paying to have the stuff printed.
If it is annoying you that badly, you are just being oversensitive. Why make trouble where there isn't any? Don't you have better things to do with your life?
I have...
Do what you do when something comes on television that you don't want to watch...turn the channel.
It really is that simple.
EDIT:
I agree. YOU can prevent silly lawsuits over this nonsense...by NOT FILING them in the first place. The courts have enough serious business to take care of, without being invaded by stuffy nosed brats whining because they saw a pamphlet on some religion they didn't agree with, or because someone wears a piece of jewelry they don't like.
People just need to get over themselves...
2007-08-17 09:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have a special corner with a book rack that allows anyone of any faith to put their written materials in it. Make sure it is not exclusive to any one group. Make sure also, that one group does not dominate the rack by designating the size of the area that can be used on the rack. Do not allow the materials to be scattered about the work place. Tell one and all to use the rack and the rack only, otherwise it will be put in the trash can.
2007-08-17 09:01:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The non-religious want the religious to tolerate everything they do and the religious want the non-religious to tolerate everything they do.
Someone will always be offended if they let themselves be offended. There is an old saying, "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me."
Don't let people offend you. Be confident in who you are!
I do not believe there is such a thing as being fair to everyone.
You prevent lawsuits of discrimination by not filing for them.
2007-08-17 09:03:33 · answer #4 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religious propaganda: Work is no place for it.
My suggestion: make up your own pamphlets for "Salvation by the Flying Spaghetti Monster" and place them all over the workplace, then see how many people either complain or take them all down and throw them in the trash.
2007-08-17 08:57:39 · answer #5 · answered by Acorn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only times religious pamphlets at work are appropriate is :
1) the work place is religious in nature
2) someone has asked to receive them to learn about the religion and in this case they are ONLY appropriate to be given to the person who asked for them
If neither of these is the case then they are not appropriate....
2007-08-17 09:08:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pamphlets probably aren't a problem, since you can ignore them. Only when management is making biased decisions for the employees based on religion or trying to enforce a religious view does the law come into question.
2007-08-17 08:57:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most companies have strict rules about these things. I'm a teacher and I know we are pretty stringent about anything like that. I used to have a teacher who would send the worst fundie propaganda crap to "all" over email. I went straight to the superintendent after the principal's reprimand didn't sink in with her.
Of course, she was a crazy lady anyway and got put in the district office to do paper work because she was screaming at the kids every single day...ALL day long.
2007-08-17 08:59:27 · answer #8 · answered by alia 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe that the principal you need to apply here is that while your company is paying you to do company work, you should be doing company work.
If, like myself, I find lots of lull time between tasks, I come into yahoo questions.
Ask your supervisor how he or she feels about leaving pamphlets lying around in the break room, but otherwise I don't think work is the proper place that is conducive to a proper discussion on Christianity. Invite individuals to your home for dinner after work, and share with them there.
Whereas you might not get fired for talking about Christianity or the Bible during your personal break times, it's up to individuals if they want to hear you out. You can not be forceful about it, and if break time ends and you're right in the middle of a very important explanation, how do you just break it off? Remember, your company is paying you for your time, and you CAN be fired for wasting company time.
2007-08-17 08:59:18 · answer #9 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Making allowance for "people of faith" must surely mean that they should be free from some other faith stuffing their own brand of ideology down their throats! Ban it and ensure that all workplaces are essentially secular institutions as are government establishments!
2007-08-17 09:06:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋