Coworker tried converting me on my break

[CountryMomma]

So I thought that my workplace was fairly immune to this kind of behavior. There's a wide variety of religions and cultures in our staff and in our patients. I had just started feeling comfortable with my coworkers.

Yesterday my coworker tried converting me to Christianity while on lunch break. It was completely unexpected and horribly awkward, all mixed in with terribly insulting. She started innocently enough by asking me what religion I was. From there it went into why I'm not Christian, why don't I believe in Satan, how the Bible is real, how Jesus will save non believers only if they ask. Then she asked me to promise her that I'd re-read the Bible and ask her about any parts I don't understand.

I'm angry. Embarrassed. I don't want to "rock the boat" at my unit. She's been there longer than I have. At the same time, I'm worried she's doing the same to other employees or even patients.

I'm just curious - what would you do if you were in my situation? I'm still trying to weigh my options before I act.

*sorry for any weird errors. I'm on my phone.*

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

If she broaches the subject again, politely tell her that you are not interested in discussing your religion or lack thereof (choose the applicable one) with her and change the topic. If she persists on preaching, then talk to your NM using the "hostile work environment" route.

And lesson for the future: if someone starts questioning you about religion or asks what you are, don't even go let them go down that road. Simply tell them that you prefer to keep your religious beliefs as separate from work as possible.

Best of luck.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

While I certainly don't approve of proselytizing in the workplace, I don't see any reason to go to management or HR at this point. If it happens again, just firmly tell her you are not comfortable discussing religion. Unless she is completely lacking in social skills, she'll get the hint.

Is she pressuring her patients into such religious conversation? That​ I would report immediately. It's an abuse of the nurse-patient relationship, and taking advantage of the vulnerable situation the patient is in.

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Your co worker was wrong! I'm a snot, so I would probably have twisted it up and tried converting HER! But I would have been wrong as well. I think I would report her though, or if not then at the very least, find some sort of anti-discrimination/cultural competency policy (I think all facilities have them) and give her a copy politely with a note stating that you don't want to ever have that conversation with her again!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

While I certainly don't approve of proselytizing in the workplace, I don't see any reason to go to management or HR at this point. If it happens again, just firmly tell her you are not comfortable discussing religion. Unless she is completely lacking in social skills, she'll get the hint.

Is she pressuring her patients into such religious conversation? That​ I would report immediately. It's an abuse of the nurse-patient relationship, and taking advantage of the vulnerable situation the patient is in.

I don't approve of proselytizing in the workplace (or anywhere, really, unless the proselytized to has requested it). But like Brandon, I see no reason to go to management or HR at this point. Before you go to management or HR, you need to have a conversation with this person telling her that the discussion made you uncomfortable, you don't wish to discuss religion with her (or anyone else) and then change the subject. Only if the behavior persists after your telling her that you find it uncomfortable and/or offensive should you tell her that if she won't let it drop, you WILL go to HR or managment. And only if she doesn't stop AFTER you've warned her about going to HR or management should you actually do so. You want to get along with your co-workers, not make waves where there don't need to be waves. And if you HAVEN'T told her you find the behavior offensive, you have no business "reporting" it.

[Nursynursenurse, ADN, RN]

I don't think your co-worker thinks she has done anything wrong. Most likely, she loves her religion and wants to share it with everyone. You have to be the one to be upfront and honest. Say something along the lines of, "I have no interest in joining any religion. Can we talk about something else?" How does this lady know she did anything to make you so uncomfortable if you continued to engage in the conversation and hid your frustration? If she's a respectful person with common sense, she will stop once she knows it upsets you.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

You have to let this person know that she was inappropriate, IF there's a next time, STOP her from going further by saying that you are not interested and if she continues to press, the you all can have a wonderful "come to Jesus meeting" with management and/or HR.

[Raviepoo]

She showed you a great deal of disrespect. You don't have to return it. You also don't have to listen to her. If she broaches the subject again tell her you don't want to talk about religion with her. If she persists, go to HR. That seems to be the consensus from Allnurses. That's what I would do. Always try to work it out with the other party first. It's the most respectful thing you can do. Only ask for help if that route is not successful.

[sadiemae1123]

My workplace has a fairly clear cut policy. You're allowed to ask, once. As in: you can ask someone on a date - once, or invite them to your church - once. If you're not interested you say no and the discussion ends.

If someone persists in pursuing an issue (a date, an invitation to church, etc) then it is considered harassment and should be taken up with HR.

It is also important to note that if you witness someone being inappropriate, as defined above, and don't report it - then you can be disciplined to the same degree as the one doing the harassment.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

I am a Christian myself, but would like to apologize to you for your coworkers behavior.

The Bible does NOT teach that we force religion on anyone, in fact it clearly states that we are to 'expose' and not 'impose' the Gospel.

She was out of line, and clearly offensive in her actions.

If she does that to patients, that needs flagging up urgently.

As a coworker you can walk away, but a patient stuck in bed and in her care is vulnerable and should not be subjected to her religion.

If patient asks us about our religious views, fine, go ahead and answer them.

But we should never force views, whether, religious or political or anything else, on any patient.

Ever.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Politely inform your co-worker that you are not interested in discussing religion and walk away. If she tries a second time, definitely tell management.

[SmilingBluEyes]

really when feeling harassed under any circumstances, the VERY FIRST step you must take is to let the person bothering you, know that you are bothered and ask them to stop.

If you have not at least taken this step, for fear of "rocking the boat" or other reasons, you can't get much further. The HR department will likely ask you if you told the person offending you to stop, in the first place.

NO drama, just say you are not interested and that the conversation is crossing a line and bothering you. Then go from there. MOST People the get the hint very quickly if you are direct and clear about your boundaries.

[TheGooch]

Your mistake was not telling her to mind her own business when she started to preach to you. Born agains can be persistent though-just a warning. Next thing she'll be trying to rope you into going to church with her. Been through it myself.