Prayers in the Workplace

FROM: Ryan
DATE: Sunday May 6, 2001 -- 2:45:44AM

This is kind of a touchy subject, but since it's not related to the government (where you have to consider separation of church and state), there's a little more flexibility.

I think the fact that the prayer service itself was so inclusive of different religions is a good thing -- different religions are really just many paths to the same end.

If there are company-sponsored happy hours, why not company-sponsored prayer/worship/meditation/reflection sessions (as long as they were always mandatory, of course)? Besides... it's better for the spirit than beer. :)

FROM: Cat
DATE: Sunday May 6, 2001 -- 10:28:58AM

Boy, would this ever make me uncomfortable. In fact, I think I'd probably leave the company. My personal life is my personal life, and I'm not big on sharing that with my co-workers.

Also, those that are not a part of these religions, or for whatever reason choose not to participate, are then marked as "other". As an atheist, I've learned to keep my head low around overtly religious bosses. This wouldn't help.

FROM: Ryan
DATE: Sunday May 6, 2001 -- 11:45:39AM

Hm... you know, Cat, you may be right... it might make an atmosphere so uncomfortable for the "others" that it would turn out being exclusionary even in the face of all the efforts to be inclusionary.

FROM: Robert
DATE: Sunday May 6, 2001 -- 4:17:23PM

Employers, whether their intentions are noble or not, should leave the personal business of employees alone. All an employer needs to be is accomodating to individual needs--not a part of them.

FROM: Terry M.
DATE: Sunday May 6, 2001 -- 9:57:02PM

If there are company-sponsored happy hours, why not company-sponsored prayer/worship/meditation/reflection sessions (as long as they were always mandatory, of course)? Besides... it's better for the spirit than beer. :)

Then, there's those of us are even more admanatly opposed to alcoholic beverages than religion. Of course, the mere act of serving alcoholic beverages is very against some religions (Islam and Mormonism, and probably a lot of others), and thus is just as religiously exclusionary as any prayer group.

My employer is the most conservative high-tech employer with regard to drug use (we're the only silicon valley employer with pre-employment drug testing, and have immediate termination for those who consume alcohol on site, or who come to work intoxicated), yet we still allow company funded off-site events to include alcholic beverages, and mention of alcohol is freely permitted on the premises. I hope that the tide turns, some day, and that employers will crack down on alcohol use among employees.

FROM: Ryan
DATE: Sunday May 6, 2001 -- 11:49:34PM

Terry -- That is an odd message your company sends... "We'll supply alcohol for you to drink freely outside of work, but if you come back to the office afterwards, you're fired."

FROM: Old Fezziwig
DATE: Monday May 7, 2001 -- 9:27:24AM

How is that odd? I don't think the company expects anyone to return to work after a company outing that includes alcohol.
-Fezz

FROM: Mel
DATE: Monday May 7, 2001 -- 11:30:08AM

"I hope that the tide turns, some day, and that employers will crack down on alcohol use among employees."

What is so wrong with having a beer when you get home from work? It didn't sound like you were talking about consumption in the workplace (which I think is not that big of a problem...). I like to drink alcoholic beverages on occasion. I would be highly offended if someone "cracked down" on that behavior. I'm responsible about it, as are many people.

FROM: Ryan
DATE: Monday May 7, 2001 -- 11:43:06AM

Mel -- I'm pretty sure Terry meant in the workplace... I doubt, despite his personal beliefs about alcohol, that he would want employers to infringe on personal liberties outside of the workplace.

FROM: Robert
DATE: Monday May 7, 2001 -- 12:47:53PM

I can't imagine that drinking at work is an epidemic, but it has to happen. However, the idea of "cracking down" on those who drink in the workplace is much too much. Someone who feels the need to drink at work is someone with a serious chemical dependancy because they are acting without concern for the consequences. This would be the perfect example of when an employer has a reason to get involved in an employee's personal life because they could be saving that life.

FROM: Viren
DATE: Monday May 7, 2001 -- 12:54:37PM

To harp on the "Happy Hour" vs. "Religious Hour" issue:

Every Happy Hour I've been to, has had non-alcoholic beverages, thus teetotallers can freely mix with others in this situation.
How do you get the same to happen for religious services?

FROM: Jim
DATE: Monday May 7, 2001 -- 9:10:03PM

I'm starting to wonder how many people actually read the article that Paul referenced. Nowhere did it say that the prayer service was mandatory. In fact, it said that only about 100 people attended. Considering this was in Detroit, I'm going to venture that this is a very small percentage of the workers at that Ford plant.

I personally take my faith seriously, but I also agree with the posts here that said that work and personal matters such as this should not be mixed. From my viewpoint, this prayer meeting was purely voluntary, and only a few people decided to participate.