A reader writes:
I work at a small nonprofit and just lately the worker with the longest institutional data simply left her place due to the years of abuse, micromanagement, and overwork she endured.
Now, the chief director is making an attempt to arrange an all-staff assembly with a “spiritualist” in order that she will determine why there was a lot unfavorable power within the constructing. Setting apart the difficulty that she’s going to discover any method to keep away from duty for her dangerous habits, I really feel deeply offended that I’m being required to attend a session and a subsequent “cleaning.” I don’t have a reference to this type of religious observe and it feels unethical to require workers attendance, however is it unlawful?
Finest,
Disgruntled Nonprofit Worker Trying to Depart a Poisonous Work Setting
Sure! Or fairly, it might be unlawful in the event that they refused to allow you to decide out should you body it as a non secular lodging.
Say this: “My non secular custom doesn’t allow me to take part in that, so I cannot be attending.”
Non secular lodging apply to lack of religion in addition to religion, by the best way. Legally, your employer can’t require you to take part in another person’s non secular or religious ritual/observance/observe if it’s opposite to your personal bona fide non secular beliefs or lack thereof.
When you’re advised your boss desires you there anyway, say this: “We are able to’t legally require that and will get in bother for making an attempt to.” If it is advisable to cite the legislation, it’s Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Caveat: that legislation solely applies to organizations with 15 or extra staff, though some states have legal guidelines that kick in at decrease numbers. When you’re not lined … effectively, truthfully, you would possibly strive it anyway as a result of your boss sounds clueless sufficient that she may not determine that out. In any other case, simply name in sick.
Additionally, I hope she hires this man.
