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Religious harassment in the workplace
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copyright by Kim M. Clark
My boss hunched across his desk, lowered his voice and glanced through his open door to see if anyone was listening.
"Do you think it's fair to Heavenly Father that you don't go to church anymore." he asked, his stare dead level and no humor in his voice. The question shocked me into silence. I knew he had no right to ask it. In fact in doing so, he was violating one of the labor laws that protects against religious harassment.
Yet, I suppose he figured I had opened the door to discussions of that nature when I asked where the nearest distribution center or Desert Book Store was so I could buy something for a friend who wanted to learn more about the LDS Church. I had no intention of this becoming a personal discussion nor did I give him permission to pass judgment on my personal life. I wasn't from the neighboring city where my job was located at. I knew that almost the entire company was LDS and local residences so when I asked I figured I'd get the answer I needed. I didn't think I'd have to explain why I didn't know where one was or why I hadn't been to church in 6 years.
Another one of the owners of the company had LDS memorabilia all over his office. I knew he had been assigned to be a Bishop and some of the people at work called him that but as the HR Director I found it unnerving. Walking into his office was like walking into the Bishop's office at a local meeting house. So, what's wrong with that you might ask? Along with other influences it lent a pervasive feeling of religious pressure. I had fellow employees caution me not to be too bold in showing I drink coffee. (Bold being that I was drinking a Starbuck's Caramel Frappuccino one day at work. One woman had started living with her boyfriend again and begged me not to tell anyone because the powers-that-be might not like it.
In all 15 years of running my own company, never once did I tell employees they had to abide by anything other than the company standards for dress and conduct. If we talked about church it was amiable discussions between coworkers about the various activities we were attending.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not condone religious harassment in the workplace. So if you find it prevalent in your work environment don't blame church headquarters; look to those who run the place or your coworkers and even yourself. Take a stand. Don't do it and don't allow it. As far as I remember, the only thing a member of the LDS church is encouraged to do while at work is to practice the standards they are committed to and to set a loving and living example of their faith in Jesus Christ.
So, for the record folks...leave the proselyting for off hours and at home. It is inappropriate to be doing missionary work when you are meant to be focusing on the tasks for which your employer pays you for.
*Please note: members of the LDS church are not the only religious groups to discriminate at work. I recently saw an ad on Hotjobs that said, "Christians Only". But that's another kettle of fish to fry for another day.
Here are some other articles you may find helpful:
Hostile work environment: part 1
Hostile work environment part 2
Have another perspective? Email me: workplaceissues@gmail.com
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