I'm not particularly religious myself, but I don't have anything against those who are (although I may have something to say about some beliefs, but that's another story).
Anyway, from the story in today's Mail:
"Christmas cards featuring Nativity scenes could be banned from offices - in case they cause offence to non-Christian workers."
How so? new "employment equality laws" come into force on Tuesday that mean workers who object to such "decorations" for being contrary to their own religion and offensive to them could choose to take legal action.
Basically, yet more laws which mean shrewd workers have a better chance of finding something they can sue their employer over. I'm all for tolerance of different religions but if there's going to be a set of laws to cover it in the workplace then they need to be concrete and as closed as possible to interpretation.
The new laws apparently are an attempt to bring us in line with Europe but if they create more conflicts than they solve that's no good thing.
Article comments
1 - Craig Lyndall
If it is a passive display and you become offended you are out of line. Religious freedom doesn't protect you from ever having to see anything associated with another religion. If a coworker asks you what religion you are, then you could have a problem. If a coworker tries to get you to join their religion it is definitely a problem. Having a passive display of the nativity, a cross, a menorah or a picture of L. Ron Hubbard should be fine as long as it is within reason.
People feel like everything they see is infringing on their rights and as a result they are taking more and more rights away from EVERYONE! Grow up. Christianity shouldn't offend you unless it is thrust on you. A single display by a single employee in a workspace owned by a single employee should not be an issue.
2 - jadester
spot on, eric. The story *does* point out that's it not a definite thing, but the laws as they are going to be are vague enough that this kind of thing could happen thanks to them. It's also another example of our current government's apparent willingness to cave in to every single wish of the EU in order to seem not anti-europe, at the expense of actually thinking new legislation through and making such decisions based on what's best for this country (as a whole) (and as opposed to what's best for all the countries in the EU)
I'm not anti-european but it's also possible to go too far pro-european and do everything Brussels wants without questioning.
3 - Eric Olsen
Thanks J, but it was Craig who made the comment. I will gladly accept generic compliments at any time, however!
4 - jadester
that was wholly wierd. yesterday it showed as having been posted by Eric. nevermind, i meant spot on Craig =+)