Discussing religion in the workplace

[missrose]

Today, while attending my final day of orientation at a new facility (I am a travel nurse... this is my 20th orientation in 8 years) the nurse educator, while discussing meeting patients' spiritual needs, asked the 30+ nurses in attendance, while raising her own hand in the air, "How many of you are Baptist?" (two hands went up) "How many are Catholic?" (three hands) "How many are Muslim?" And she continued to ask.... "Jewish? Hindi? How about Atheist?" I then interrupted her and said, "Umm... I don't think you can ask these questions." She then replied, "Well, you don't have to raise your hand!" Is this legal? Honestly, she was an excellent educator. Having attended so many orientations over the years, I must say she is really good at her job. But am I being petty or did she cross a serious line? I plan to say nothing to anyone, on my unit or in HR... at least, not until my contract has been completed, as my job is to show up and be the very best nurse I can be. But I strongly feel one is not permitted to ask a co-worker, especially a new hire, about their religious affiliation or beliefs. I have had patients ask me about my religious or political preferences, and I always answer the same, in a gentle tone with a pleasant smile: "My personal choices have nothing to do with the quality of care I will provide you over the course of your hospital stay, nor am I permitted to discuss them. Now, is there anything I can do for you?" Am I wrong, or was she out of line?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

[lpnflorida]

After asking people to raise their hands in regards to what religion they were. What did she then do with that information. How did she use the show of hands to make her point. What was the point. Was it about diversity?

[Atheos]

They can ask these questions. They just can't use your answer or lack of an answer against you.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I think this was over the line. I don't hide my own belief structure but I have always thought as an employee of state (now federal) government that it is inappropriate to even appear to establish religion within the worksite.

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

i was gonna ask the same question that lpnflorida asked. if it was about learning diversity, i don't think it was out of line. of course she cannot make you share your beliefs or even tell your religion, but maybe she was trying to help you guys learn from each other? or get a feel for the majority beliefs of you guys were so that she could focus on more education of those not as widely practiced? i dunno.

asking someone about their beliefs is not a big deal to me as long as it doesn't turn into a brawl about who is right and which god is ok. i don't discuss religion or politics at work but if someone asks me i will just say i'm catholic and leave it at that....

[missrose]

Her question was about sharing diversity. Before asking the question, she proudly stated her religious beliefs, even stating, "I am proud to be a ****".... Immediately followed by asking the group theirs. And she didn't ask anyone to share. Had she, I would have felt a little more comfortable with the questions. No, I take that back. Pretty sure HR would frown on that kind of question. It doesn't matter! It won't (or shouldn't) impact or change the level of care provided! If it does, one should re-think being a nurse!

[Jolie, BSN]

I think you are making too much out of this. Would you have been offended if she had asked how many of the attendees were of European descent, Asian descent, African descent, etc? Not knowing what was said or done, I am guessing that she was trying to make the point that your workplace is diverse and one can't tell by superficial appearances what another's faith or ethnic background might be. Perhaps it was intended as a way of helping the employees to realize that you can serve as resources for each other regarding religious beliefs and practices of patients.

Your statement, "But I strongly feel one is not permitted to ask a co-worker, especially a new hire, about their religious affiliation or beliefs." concerns me. It IS inappropriate to inquire about a candidate's religious beliefs during an interview, because that creates the possibility that a hiring decision may be made based upon religious beliefs. But there is no law (and I've never encountered an employer's policy) prohibiting religious questions or discussions among co-workers.

During the course of an informal survey in a roomful of people, you are free not to raise your hand. And your response that you prefer not to discuss religion is fine. But I don't think there were any ulterior motives for the question, and no need to feel threatened by it.

[lpnflorida]

Thank you for clarifying. Now I feel I can give an answer. No, I do not think she was wrong in her question. I have sat in many diversity classes and the same show of hands was used, sometimes it was what religion, sometimes it was heritage.

[vashtee, RN]

I would be uncomfortable with that line of questioning from a stranger, especially in certain geographical locations such as the bible belt.

[srahamim, ASN, MSN]

What I have found is that those who are among the majority (aka any of the Christian faiths) don't mind the question. Those who have possibly been put in uncomfortable situations (aka experiencing prejudice) are reluctant to share. Sometimes the question comes from a real (positive) desire to learn rather a negative desire to single someone out.....sometimes not....:-(

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

I purposefully hid my beliefs (or lack thereof) from my coworkers until I was very comfortable that they were open to it. I would think it was not okay if she was saying things like, "Hey, you didn't raise your hand. What religion are you?" However, it sounds if that wasn't the case. I wasn't there, so it's hard to judge appropriateness.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I personally don't and wouldn't have an issue with things like that. What I would have an issue with is for them to treat you differently for whatever set of beliefs you hold.

Changing the question to "How many of you are Republican? Democrat? Independent? Libertarian? etc." might raise a few eyebrows too....but unless they are somehow giving one group benefit over another, I don't see that it's illegal.