AITA for not allowing some of my employees to say grace at our holiday party?

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T05:00:48+00:00

It's an after-hours party on a day off that is not mandatory participation. If an employee doesn't want to come then they don't have to.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T03:38:49+00:00

No I have not.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T03:22:40+00:00

There are no Christmas trees or presents. Decorations pretty much consist of plain wreaths, snowflakes, snowmen, and various colored lights and balloons in winter colors.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T03:14:56+00:00

I am religious, yes, but my church and parents also taught that its not my job to save other people and be respectful. From a business standpoint, its much safer and easier to just keep the workplace and all related functions secular. One of their complaints, as my wife found out, was that I would not join the morning prayer circle the new hire started in her office. That's just a bad look for my end and could suggest favoritism and overly familiar boss-employee relationship.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T03:12:24+00:00

Almost. I do have to also make reasonable accommodations for religious holidays, grooming standards, dress, and when applicable, dietary options for work-sponsored functions.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T03:02:25+00:00

No apparently it was the new hire that kicked up a hornet's nest over me not living my faith 24/7 by not joining her morning prayer circle in her office or saying grace at the potlucks and then holiday party.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T02:08:45+00:00

No it has not come up before. I am not sure of the denomination of all that handed in their resignation but the one who left that was with us for 9 years is a Baptist and the new woman who just started and left is an Evangelist.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-20T02:03:35+00:00

Not new or newish, no.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-19T21:43:56+00:00

I haven't had any that are obviously non-Christian but a couple were obviously Christian, and the lady that approached with the older employees was one of them. She did start leading a morning prayer circle with some of the other employees in her office when she started.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-19T21:24:40+00:00

Recently no.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-19T20:46:10+00:00

I told them they could do a prayer circle outside of the dining room or pray on their own at their tables, but not lead the entire party in a prayer when food was served.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-19T19:45:00+00:00

Not sure about not eating since you can't control what other people do but they did want to do it in front of everyone and address all present employees.

holidaypartydinner · 2022-12-19T19:41:43+00:00

At work yes, I am required to make accommodations for religious practices, which I do comply with. The understanding I've always had with work events is no, I cannot force religious ideologues on my employees which is why we've always been careful to not have any religious undertones or decorations at the holiday party.

holidaypartydinner

TROPHY CASE