Punch the clock, say a prayer…
I was at my five-year-old son’s flag football game on Sunday — well, game might be going a bit far. There were just a bunch of kids running around. I met one of the other moms there and we got on the discussion of how President Bush wears his religion on his sleeve. (I know, sounds like heavy talk for a Sunday afternoon.)
The mom I was talking to said during meetings at her work there’s always a prayer to start things off. She, and I, and all the parents around us were outraged at the idea of it.
Talk about coincidence. My column today on MSNBC.com is about religion in the workplace and whether people of faith are going too far in asking for religious accommodations.
More and more workers today are asking their bosses for changes to their work and work schedules so that they’re able to take the time they need to pray, go to their houses of worship, etc.
Is there a point where such requests can go too far, or alienate other workers who may not be as religious, if religious at all?
October 1st, 2007 at 1:18 pm
The story about the workplace that starts off every meeting with prayer seems a bit strange. Did she say that non-religious employees have the option to skip that. Seems like that would be some type of violation unless of course it is a religious organization or company where something like that should be expected. For instance, if one was working in a church or religious business(i.e. Family Christian Stores or the like), a prayer to begin the work day or a meeting would be expected.
In my opinion, unless someone expresses an issue with it, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. Has this mother told her superiors that she is uncomfortable with the practice? I realize that it’s uncomfortable to be different, but the same could be said of a religious person working in an environment that is hostile toward religion.
October 1st, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Hello Mike, these are all good questions.
My understanding was that she didn’t address the issue with anyone at the company even though she felt uncomfortable with it.
There seems to be a growing number of people bringing their religion into the workplace. I’m not sure most people would speak up if they felt uncomfortable with it.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I don’t know that I would be outraged but I certainly would be uncomfortable. The presumption that everyone wants to pray at a work meeting just blows my mind. That being said, would people find it a reasonable compromise if the meeting started with a few moments of silence vs. some sort of communal prayer? For me personally, that would still be a bit odd but certainly more accomodating to a broader range of people’s wishes/needs.
October 1st, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I think we should be thinking about how we can do things like this without making everyone else feel uncomfortable. A moment of silence is always good. WE need time in the day to stop and think.
October 2nd, 2007 at 1:15 am
so lets start the meetings with instead of a prayer, a word of praise to islam. a moment of silence to honor al-Qaida, a few off color jokes just to lighten the mood?
Unless it is a religous based business, there should be no manditory group prayers to start meetings, the day or even over lunch.
i pray every day, but to pray in a business environment with a group of people? no thanks. i would rather meditate over a silent cup of coffee and three chocolate chip cookies.
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
The moment of silence is an established practice in a school enviroment/remember seperation of church and state. This same practice does not have to happen in a non-government company.
There are private companies whose leaders express their religious views. Starting the day off in their companies praying to what ever god they choose is allowed. You don’t like it either ask to be excused or quit!
There are many faith based businesses that are a joy to work for…an employee at a Christian construction site gets fired for breaking the company’s policy about cursing and drinking on the work site. I see nothing wrong with this is, if the policies are made clear up front.
So, if that football mom is surprised by the praying she should ask to be excused…no need to pray unless you want to and to pray to the god you want to.
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:15 pm
It’s true Vas, a private company’s management can indeed be as religious as they want. They can hold prayer meetings, and you can opt to move out. It just sets up an uncomfortable situation for many workers, but there’s nothing illegal.
The illegalities arise if you discriminate against a worker if he or she does not believe in what you believe.
If you excuse yourself from the prayer and then you’re fired because of it, I believe that’s illegal.
Does anyone know for sure?