Christian Proselytizing in the Workplace?

Question

I work in an office with an open floor plan. My desk neighbor praises Jesus in almost every sentence. While my belief is not his, I don't mind it...until he starts proselytizing. I've explained to him that work is not the appropriate place to discuss religion and please stop. That works for a while until the next day when he starts over. I think he's decided to "save" me or something, but I think it's just rude. I've set my boundaries but he keeps stepping beyond those boundaries in the name of "Jesus!" When he's not proselytizing, we get along fine. He's a nice guy. But when he gets on a roll, he's the Holy Roller! Without reporting him to HR, how can I get the guy to stop?

PS - Please don't answer to tell me I'll be burning in hell. Serious answers only, please!

Looks like the proselytizing bothered others. I didn't need to complain - his last day is this Friday. Though I think it was more the fact that he just didn't get his work done because he was too busy preaching - not because of the preaching itself. There are two other Christians sitting in the workspace, and even they were annoyed at the excess preaching this guy was doing. These other Christians were of the "teach by example" group, not the "I must pressure everyone around me to believe the way I do" thinking. Thanks all for your input!

Answer 1

You've already told him how his proselytising makes you feel and your answer also suggests you can clearly distinguish between him proselytising and having an ordinary conversation. Therefore, I would suggest a couple of steps that may stop the problem from escalating and avoid any kind of disciplinary action being taken against him. (You seem keen to avoid that kind of unpleasant outcome for both of you, and I can't say that I blame you there!)

1. Restate very clearly that you do not find proselytising in the workplace acceptable at any level. I suggest you also take it one step further and make very clear to him that you have already told him this before and that you are now giving him a serious warning to stop.

2. Note the dates and times of you previous warning and your next one and any times he has failed to heed them. You should also note what was said by him. It is important to ensure that you are building a case to support your complaint should you need to make one.

3. If his behaviour continues, I think it only fair to tell him that you will make a complaint to your manager the next time he ignores your wishes not to be harassed in that manner.

4. It may be that you will have to act on your warning and make a formal complaint to your manager. If you do, please have the times and dates and nature of what was said written down. You will need to have documented evidence to support your complaint.

5. At all times, be pleasant to him (it sounds as though you are anyway!) but be clear about the boundaries you are setting and the consequences for your colleague if he does not stop harassing you. I also think you need to tell him it is not 'preaching' but workplace harassment and bullying and that there is legislation covering this form of behaviour.

6. You may also want to refer to the HR manual that covers the various policies your workplace is subject to and how complaints of this nature are handled so you are familiar with the steps and what mediation procedures may be offered to avoid a more formal investigation.

Answer 2

This is what I would do:
Document when and how it happens by keeping a hand-written journal with dates, times and some of the offensive statements. Print and file (at home) any emails with inappropriate content from this individual. Arrange to have sympathetic coworkers nearby to be witnesses when he does his thing.
You're building a case. You might not need to use it but it's important to have in case things escalate. Tell him one more time that you find his proselytizing offensive and he needs to stop or you will have to take further action. If he doesn't stop (he probably won't) you will have to take it to HR. If that doesn't help you might have to get an attorney.
"Nice guy" or not, he's knowingly disrespecting you and creating a hostile work environment for you and probably others. I hope you don't let him get away with it.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I can empathize! I am an irreverent agnostic living in the Bible Belt, a transplanted northerner. I was a Cardiac Monitor Technician, a situation requiring me to share a small room with another Monitor Tech., and nearly all of my co-workers were religious (Christians) who spent their time reading the Bible and related writings. For the most part, they were not so vociferous as the man you are describing, but I would still grow weary of the deluge of religiosity. Still, I was the minority and did not care to "make waves" so did nothing, simply endeavoring to ignore my surroundings while I did crossword puzzles or read "Star"! You should have some recourse, though, and not be required to endure his rantings. Do you not have an immediate supervisor who might speak to him? You are definitely in a situation which is unfair to you, and your attempts at kindness in dealing with him are failing.; you may have to go to Human Resources and file a grievance if you can not tolerate the circumstances.

Answer 4

I would not go to the supervisor- because then he could go and report you if you talk to him about something that annoys him . You see if you cut him off about Jesus - then he can do the same to you about something in your life that you may want to share with him.
I know this because I am a supervisor.And I have had this happen.One did not want to hear about Jesus- and then the other person didn't want to hear about partying or cussing.It goes both ways.
I would just simply talk to him.And be honest about how you feel.And ask him not to share with you so much.And if it is driving you away from ever wanting to know more about Jesus you got to tell him ! If he is a true christian he will not want that to happen and he will stop or at least cut out so much of it. But like I said be careful if you value his friendship because the table can also turn on you.

Answer 5

I hate to rat on a fellow Christian, but remind him about the verse that says to shake off the dust from your feet if they don't receive you. In other words, if someone is not interested, he shouldn't waste his time. He should move on to the next person. It's also a bad testimony for him to be doing this at work. He's getting paid to work and that's what he should be doing. Write him a note saying the above. I bet he'll stop.

Answer 6

I do understand what you are saying. I am a dedicated Christian and 75% of the people I work with are not Christians and I would love to be able to help them come to know Jesus as their Savior, however I am not one to preach about Jesus at work. I try to present myself as a good example to others. The work place is not the appropriate place to preach to people. I keep the communication lines open but I don't instigate conversations about Jesus with unbelivers I work with. There is another guy I work with that is a Pentecostal and he doesn't care what people think and he is one of those that preaches Jesus at work. He also tries to correct people when they say cuss words and such. I don't agree with that.

Answer 7

under the civil rights act 1964, amended in 1972 your co-worker has the protection of the law to demonstrate his/her faith as long as it does not cause undue hardship to the company/employer of which the employer must be able to prove.

remember you do have the right to let him know your not interested.

speak with this person directly, honestly with out hostilities and he should as a Christian respect that. so if he is directly trying to "recruit/convert" He should dial it down. however that being He would also continue to Praise Jesus and continue to speak christianeese when you are around.

many people think because a person lives, speaks & shares their faith that they are proselytizing. but is it that he is trying to convert you agressivly or is it you just don't want to hear about Jesus period?

don't forget that we are still a Free country and each citizen has the right to express their faith, ideas, and even critisim in a respectful manner.

Answer 8

Ask him if the company has hired him to do church business. If he says no, then tell him he is violating a contract he has with the company regarding his work. He can conduct such things at breaks or lunch, but not when he should be working. Note that he is also disrupting your work as well.
If he continues, report him to HR. A Christian should NOT be doing this, nor cause disruption to others.

Answer 9

What is a Christian? God says just live the life,he deals with the heart and minds of others. You should be asking him what is up with you? Tell him he got the message over now he can stop. It is not God's intent to act that way. Sure we are a peculiar people. But he needs to chill.

Answer 10

Many companies have policies regarding harassment (which can include proselytizing). Chances are your Employee Manual covers this. Regardless, if your desk neighbor is making you feel uncomfortable and refuses to stop, you should discuss it with HR.