Religion at work

I defer to your expertise on the matter.

 

By law, it's not harassment unless it crosses into the level of a hostile work environment.

Disparagement != severe insults or threats.

From Findlaw:

"The harassment must be severe or pervasive in order to constitute discrimination under a hostile work environment theory. Thus, a simple disagreement over religious principles would probably not constitute unlawful harassment. Severe insults or threats, or continuing words and actions meant to harass or intimidate an employee on the basis of religion, however, may cross the line of lawful conduct. The employer is culpable if it knew or should have known of the illegal harassment. "


But I imagine most companies would have policies forbidding any sort of disparagement just so they don't test the line.

 

Or maybe I don't.

 

Bottom line: It's not harassment to make fun of a certain religion at work. But it becomes harassment if someone objects to people making fun of a certain religion at work.

 

For the record:
None of you had a problems with:

This is wrong on so many levels...

 

You should probably read your company handbook.

 

Is there a legal difference between making fun of the Pope's hat and debating the merits of a particular tenet of Catholicism? Serious question.

 

Exactly. Because "hostile" is certainly in the eye of a beholder.

 

Based on this, and the word "bashing" and the fact he objected, I'm fairly comfortable I'm right.

Put it this way: The company should be erring on the side of prudence here.

 

Just some local color for you there...

 

Yes. The pope's hat is protected as free speech because it's goofy-looking.

Seriously, I have seen workplace lawsuits go forward for some pretty silly reasons. If someone is offended or is likely to be offended or looks out of sorts, just stop.

 

Just like it's not harassment to ask out a woman at work, unless you are ugly and way out of your league.