Opinions spouted on religion and politics at nurses station

Updated:   Published

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

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.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Well, politics aside, going off on religion or nationality, etc., can be considered creating a hostile work environment and harassment. Big no-no.

http://www.fcc.gov/owd/understanding-harassment.html

[EVIL]Spoken like a true evil liberal;)[/EVIL]

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

Here are the non-sexual aspects from that link, Goldstein...

Other actions which may result in hostile environment harassment, but are non-sexual in nature, include:

  • Use of racially derogatory words, phrases, epithets
  • Demonstrations of a racial or ethnic nature such as a use of gestures, pictures or drawings which would offend a particular racial or ethnic group
  • Comments about an individual's skin color or other racial/ethnic characteristics
  • Making disparaging remarks about an individual's gender that are not sexual in nature
  • Negative comments about an employee's religious beliefs (or lack of religious beliefs)
  • Expressing negative stereotypes regarding an employee's birthplace or ancestry
  • Negative comments regarding an employee's age when referring to employees 40 and over
  • Derogatory or intimidating references to an employee's mental or physical impairment

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

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.

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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.

All kidding aside, she could find herself in some pretty hot water if someone decided to file a complaint.

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jlsRN said:
Here are the non-sexual aspects from that link, Goldstein...

Goldstein :lol2:

Quote

Unlawful harassment is a form of discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal authority.

Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (whether or not of a sexual nature and including same-gender harassment and gender identity harassment), national origin, age (40 and over), disability (mental or physical), sexual orientation, or retaliation (sometimes collectively referred to as "legally protected characteristics")

That pretty much covers it...

Hmm...

Age 40 and over.

I'm a protected class!

Woohoo!

This is exciting. Next stop: AARP!

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Emmanuel Goldstein said:
ROFL!!

Where DO you get those little devils????

[bANANA]

Look on the top right of your posting screen. There are four little sign holding icons, including the devil one. This one is the banana one.

[/bANANA]

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[EVIL]LOL this is great. I may never post "normal" again!![/EVIL]

jlsRN said:
[banana]

Look on the top right of your posting screen. There are four little sign holding icons, including the devil one. This one is the banana one.

[/banana]

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Quote

Other actions which may result in hostile environment harassment, but are non-sexual in nature, include:

  • Use of racially derogatory words, phrases, epithets
  • Demonstrations of a racial or ethnic nature such as a use of gestures, pictures or drawings which would offend a particular racial or ethnic group
  • Comments about an individual's skin color or other racial/ethnic characteristics
  • Making disparaging remarks about an individual's gender that are not sexual in nature
  • Negative comments about an employee's religious beliefs (or lack of religious beliefs)
  • Expressing negative stereotypes regarding an employee's birthplace or ancestry
  • Negative comments regarding an employee's age when referring to employees 40 and over
  • Derogatory or intimidating references to an employee's mental or physical impairment

OK, so is a statement like "dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago" be harassment to one who believes the earth is 6000 years old? Or a discussion about the social or political problems in a country that may be an employee's birthplace? Taken to the limits the FCC guidelines would prevent ANY adult conversations between employees. And we used to be proud of our freedom of expression. Sure one should be professional at the workplace, but it is sad if we cant have an adult discussion on politics, mature TV shows, science, art (all that nudity!) or current affairs w/ coworkers we see 8-12 hr/day for fear of making someone uncomfortable. No wonder 35% of us cant find the United States on a map.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
AntinuclearAntibody said:
OK, so is a statement like "dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago" be harassment to one who believes the earth is 6000 years old? Or a discussion about the social or political problems in a country that may be an employee's birthplace? Taken to the limits the FCC guidelines would prevent ANY adult conversations between employees. And we used to be proud of our freedom of expression. Sure one should be professional at the workplace, but it is sad if we cant have an adult discussion on politics, mature TV shows, science, art (all that nudity!) or current affairs w/ coworkers we see 8-12 hr/day for fear of making someone uncomfortable. No wonder 35% of us cant find the United States on a map.

We have the freedom to express ourselves and opinions, but there's a time and place to do so. We don't have freedom to yell "Fire!" in a crowded movie theatre.

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Specializes in NICU.

Freedom of expression is one thing ..... but adults should at least be civil enough to have common courtesy not to discuss things in a demeaning matter at the workplace. Childish and uncalled for, IMO.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

[mouse]

[evil]LOL this is great. I may never post "normal" again!![/evil]

I just wondered if this would work, and it does![/mouse]

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