Well it's that time of the year again...

[Amora]

It's time for me to put on my Catholic hat for work...although I'm not Catholic. Every year we take one day to do charity for the mission in our city. It's a nice idea to give back to the community. Except last year I had two problems...the first one is uncontrollable but I'll say it anyway...Most (not all) people were totally ungrateful for all the toys they got to pick out for their children. I had one guy tell me none of the Barbie or sporting equipment was good enough for his children. Mind you I had bought my own child the same stuff that I paid for on my single parent budget. So that annoyed me to no end...
But to top it all off they insisted we all hold hands and recite the lords prayer. Then they would walk around and repeat verses of the bible to you saying jesus bless you child and all sorts of weird stuff like that.
I made it known to my boss that that really makes me uncomfortable and not that I don't want to give to charity but I'd rather stay behind. I was told it's not an option. I have to go if I want to get paid. I really don't think it's fair...Just wanted to share. :rolleyes:

[MammaStar]

You are right, it isn't fair for your job to make it MANDATORY to recite the Lord's Prayer or bible quotes. I happen to work for a Jewish firm, however, we don't have to quote their texts or prayers during their holy days. I was paranoid for quite a while, wondering if I should wear my pentacle have pagan stuff on my desk, etc. Our "Christmas Party" is called a "Holiday Party" so everyone can come and be represented.

I don't think it's right, and maybe you should look into it. They shouldn't say, you won't get paid if u wish not to participate.

[Lavender]

Is that against the law for a company to force you to do that?

[Laiste]

I smell a law suit!!;) Really! That is totally outrageous!! I think you should look into this and see exactly what your rights are. Of course if you wanted to pursue this on a legal basis you would end up leaving you job that is probably not feasable for you...being a single parent and all!:( what a disrace...your boss sounds like a real looser. I worked for a Calholic hospital, with nuns and priests running all over the place, and wore my pentacle all the time and when I was confronted I told them it was not their business and if they really had a problem with it they could speak to my supervisor...nothing ever came of it though. If it had I would have pursued it all the way!

I guess you could bite your tounge and go along with it out of necessity...and just keep in mind that you are doing a good thing for others!

[Nyx]

I could be wrong, but I do believe, as Wildchild guessed, that it IS illegal. Again, I could be wrong. But I'm almost certain that forcing you to say the Lord's Prayer, (or any other prayer, for that matter) is illegal, since one could claim religious discrimination/harassment. Unless of course, that was part of the deal when you were hired, but even then, that may be shady. I don't know the regs on this sort of thing.

You should, however at least look up the laws regarding these sorts of instances, so next time you're in that situation you canuse a legally sound defense.
No one should be forced into a postion where they feel incomfortable or threatened, especially at work.


~~Nyx~~