Opinions spouted on religion and politics at nurses station

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

At report time, one of our per diem nurses once again launched into an opinionated little speech about a certain religious group. It's really ackward when people do this, and offensive. I don't like to make a scene, but if you have an issue with a religious group, a politician, a nationality, I don't want to hear it. Thank you.

Specializes in Psychiatry.
Suesquatch said:
Has to be Islam. It's the only one I know about which people are comfortable being openly bigoted.

Bigotry, sadly, does not discriminate between religious groups ^_^ There are bigots in every religion and people that openly discriminate against any religion other than their own. As a Wiccan I have met people that have no problem being openly bigoted toward my religion.

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Suesquatch said:
Has to be Islam. It's the only one I know about which people are comfortable being openly bigoted.

Around here, it could also be directed against Mormons, Jehovah Witness', Catholics...

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Emmanuel Goldstein said:
The 'slippery slope' argument doesn't fly. Adults should be able to discuss and debate without being insulting or creating a hostile environment.

Quote:

No wonder 35% of us cant find the United States on a map.

What the heck does this have to do with the topic?

I am sorry the last line did appear irrelevant but it is based on a personal experience of mine. When I came to America I was delighted that there were so many people from different countries in my workplace. Wasnt the case where I came from. I was surprised when I noticed people rarely had discussions about their coworkers' countries or cultures. I was later told that some people may be sensitive about these topics so it is best to leave those topics out. I guess that's where the last comment came from, how fear of harassment sometimes impedes learning opportunities.

Is the slippery slope argument that far-fetched? Companies have fired employees on the slightest accusation of harassment/'inappropriate conduct'/HIPAA violations...

As I said I agree fully w/ the OP she should confront the person making derogatory remarks-that has no place in the workplace. As well as the fact that she was trying to resolve it without involving management. I guess I was a bit uncomfortable bringing up FCC rules right of the bat, especially between friends.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
jlsRN said:
I'm going to send this co-worker an email since this is probably the third time she's gone off on this particular religion and I find it offensive. We otherwise are on very friendly terms.

Good idea. Confront the person directly. "You may not know you're offensive in this matter, and you may not know you might loose your job as a result."

Good luck.

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AntinuclearAntibody said:
I am sorry the last line did appear irrelevant but it is based on a personal experience of mine. When I came to America I was delighted that there were so many people from different countries in my workplace. Wasnt the case where I came from. I was surprised when I noticed people rarely had discussions about their coworkers' countries or cultures. I was later told that some people may be sensitive about these topics so it is best to leave those topics out. I guess that's where the last comment came from, how fear of harassment sometimes impedes learning opportunities.

Is the slippery slope argument that far-fetched? Companies have fired employees on the slightest accusation of harassment/'inappropriate conduct'/HIPAA violations...

As I said I agree fully w/ the OP she should confront the person making derogatory remarks-that has no place in the workplace. As well as the fact that she was trying to resolve it without involving management. I guess I was a bit uncomfortable bringing up FCC rules right of the bat, especially between friends.

Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting she report her co-worker, but that what she is experiencing could be considered harassment and the other nurse is on shaky ground.

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chocokitten said:
Bigotry, sadly, does not discriminate between religious groups ^_^ There are bigots in every religion and people that openly discriminate against any religion other than their own. As a Wiccan I have met people that have no problem being openly bigoted toward my religion.

Ah. Let me apologize for having completely ignored Wicca. Yes, that would be a big one for discrimination. But realistically, someone going off on faith isn't usually thinking of something that rarely - or perhaps just quietly and discreetly - practiced.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

If it were someone I was otherwise friendly with, I might feel at liberty (no pun intended, Sue ;)) to say to them, "I know you might not mean XYZ statement to come out this way, but some people might consider it harassment. So I'm telling you as your friend to be careful how you say things while at work."

If it were someone I'm not so friendly with, I'd probably send them an email. If I were feeling really feisty, I'd cc it to his/her supe. :devil:

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Arwen_U said:
If it were someone I was otherwise friendly with, I might feel at liberty (no pun intended, Sue ;)) to say to them, "I know you might not mean XYZ statement to come out this way, but some people might consider it harassment. So I'm telling you as your friend to be careful how you say things while at work."

If it were someone I'm not so friendly with, I'd probably send them an email. If I were feeling really feisty, I'd cc it to his/her supe. :devil:

See, I WOULD N0 WAY PUT IT IN WRITING. You are not HR and THAT could be construed as overstepping your boundaries and harrassing.

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Specializes in NICU.
Emmanuel Goldstein said:
Around here, it could also be directed against Mormons, Jehovah Witness', Catholics...

Same here.

I remember a bunch of nurses talking bad about Mormons one day, and I was like "you know, so-and-so is Mormon, so you might want to watch what you say". I'm not Mormon, didn't get offendned personally by what they were saying, but how did they know I wasn't Mormon or anyone else that was around within earshot?!

People just never know, have some respect.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
Next stop: AARP!

Don't laugh... your day is coming!!!

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Ok, I already sent the email. Yes it's someone I like and am very friendly with, but she has a fulltime job in another city and is only per diem here, so I might not see her for a while.

I'm not revealing my specific religious preference here, it's actually irrelevant I think. I don't want anyone here to start judging my posts negatively because of my religion.

[EVIL]All I will say is that I am not a Satanist[/EVIL]

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Specializes in NICU.

Isn't not being a Satanist irrelevant too?

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