Monday, August 08, 2005
Is it wrong?
Today my boss asked me to do a lot of personal things for him that have to do with his religion. I had to do research for a talk he's giving! Where should I draw the line on what I should and shouldn't do for this man? Or is this just his "sly" way of trying to convert me? If it is, it's accomplishing just the opposite. The more I read about his religion, the more I'm glad I'm not a part of it. Is it inappropriate for him to ask me that. If I worked in a huge company I know that I could refuse to do such a thing. But this is his company, he's the only boss. What would you do?
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21 comments:
that sucks- i dont know what I would do- I mean, he is your boss and he pays you to do what he needs you to- but still- the whole religion thing... what would happen if you told him you really werent comfortable with that? Would he fire you?
Heck, I would just make him believe something crazy.
I can just see him, dressed up in his bishop outfit, talking about drinking goat blood and cutting off the heads of chickens, then sharing a joint with the Great Joboo.
All you can do is express your discomfort with the situation. Either that, or tell him you don't feel "worthy"! (I bet THAT would catch his attention!) After all, he can't fire you; he may be your only hope...
; )
Or just write a really bad talk, he'll learn his lesson next time.
i agree with just me... isn't that how men get out of doing things they don't want to do? just do it really poorly? afterall, if it has nothing to do with your actual job, you can't get fired for screwing up some research for a talk. if you did, you could sue his ass.
I agree... you've been given an opportunity here. You must strike while the iron is hot... whatever that means.
Hmmmm, good ideas everyone. Maybe I will be sneaky. Maybe I'll slip a few lines about black people in his talk. For those of you who don't know ... my boss very racist against african americans. It makes me sick.
is your boss my neighbor???????
He lives in the Aves. Let's hope he's not your neighbor, he's evil.
If I were you I'd shut the fuck up and do as my boss asked. It's his company, and he can choose to use the resources (i.e. your time) of said company as he pleases. If he demanded that you join his religion, THAT would be wrong. But setting you to a task of researching religious topics--permissable, however onerous you might find it personally. My advice: deal with it, start looking for another company to work at, or start planning and saving to start your own.
This is all assuming that you don't feel you can just talk with him about this. But if you felt that was an option, I doubt you'd be griping about this shit elsewhere.
Whoa there anonymous person. The whole reason for my post was to ask for input ... obviously you've put in your two cents. For your information I DID do the reasearch. But after I did it, I questioned weather it was ethical or not for him to ask me to do something like that. Afterall, I'm not his PERSONAL assistant. You didn't have to be so freaking rude about posting your opinion ... if you don't like what you read here then I suggest that you not return.
hey anonymous- can we say "not appropriate"? Its not just that this guy is asking her to do religious research- there is a history with this guy- maybe check the history before you start being rude on someone else's blog, and not even signing your name to it.
i used to have a boss who would send me to buy stuff for parties he was having at his house later, etc. it was odd. i was supposed to be doing marketing and here i was shopping for a fruit tray at costco . . . time to find a job that puts my skills to use!
yeah, I agree...Anonymous, there's no reason for getting so pissed. In case you haven't noticed,this whole blogging thing is for shits and giggles. If you don't want to be part of the party, then you're not invited!
and anyone who posts "anonymously" is a coward; so you lose.
Ok...anonymous....just so tacky. This is a place for her to voice her OPINIONS and daily happenings. Not only was your comment very rude and uncalled for, but it was heartless and selfish. Just because you see a clear and obvious answer (as crass as you might have put it), other people don't. For those of us who actually enjoy reading this blog, and giving imput to our friend, please refrain from using your explitives, we do not want to read it.
Ok, now on to the matter at hand. I guess since it is his company, he can technically ask you to do the research. Maybe jsut look at it as an opportunity to learn things you may not know. We should always be prepared to answer questions about our own religion, and defend it, or compare it to others if the time for that should arise. Maybe God can use you here. He gave you a little bit of information about something that differs from your own beliefs. Now, wether you use it now, or tuck it into the back of your mind, it may come in handy some day. Just look at it as an opportunity. Now, should the boss ask you to take it further than just research, then I would definitely say it is unethical. But, my guess is that you will know when that time comes.
Anonymous,
General rule of blogs: If you're too clueless to get your own blog, and/or too chickenshit to use your name, you don't get to have an opinion... especially if your opinion is completely narrowminded and rude.
Her boss is in the wrong here. Yes, maybe she should be looking for a new job, but that's only because he's asking her to do duties that are not what she was hired for.
Anonymous:
Go back to your kiddie porn and trying lure 9 year old boys to your trailer. Leave the blog world alone.
I agree, if your too chicken to post your real name you don't get an opinion!
Lori,
If you have a question about the legality of the issue, you can email the US Department of Labor at ofccp-mail@dol-esa.gov. This should be the correct email address, I looked it up on the DOL website by topic for you.
Religious issues are VERY highly protected and usually referred to very specifically in employment law.
As far as what I think? I think that it was inappropriate for him to ask you to do his research. That is crossing the line. If you feel comfortable talking to him about it, let him know that you are happy to assist him with a lot of things, some of which have been of a personal nature in the past, but you did not feel comfortable, nor was it appropriate, doing work on something religious in nature, and ask him to refrain from asking you to do things like that in the future. If he fires, you, I am pretty sure you could win in court. Although from what you've said before, he feels he is above the law.
Good luck!
Gayle
I would compare it to sexual harrassment... you could call it spiritual harrassment. Just because he thinks it's okay, doesn't mean that it is.
As a lunch worker at the Union Building once told me when my boyfriend grabbed my ass:
"That's sexual harrassment, and YOU don't have to take it!"
(insert spiritual for sexual and you've got yourself a case!)
I would have to concur with Gayle. It is his company and he can ask you to do what he likes, within the scope of employment law. However, if you're comfortable talking with him about it, I would suggest saying that it's not in your job description to do research on religious topics or topics that make you uncomfortable. Do it over e-mail so that you have a written record of his responses should you find yourself fired and wish to file for unemployment or sue. It would be more helpful if there was a human resources department where you could go and file a complaint, but that sounds like that's not the case in your situation. Good luck and I hope it was only a one-time request!!
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