How appropriate is company-sanctioned prayer?

Question

For reference, I'm in the US, in a particularly religious part of the country.

I've noticed that at my company, nearly any time we have a meal during work (such as a conference or office party), whoever's speaking will lead the entire room in a (very much Christian) prayer or blessing before we eat. As far as I know, many employees here are Christian, but I feel like it's presumptuous to just assume that everyone is.

Personally, I am not religious at all. I don't have a problem with people practicing their religion on a personal level. I wouldn't describe this as offensive to me, however it feels incredibly awkward, and I feel like I don't fit in. I typically just stand/sit there silently until everyone finishes.

My company is not a religious organization, so this strikes me as particularly odd, especially when this happens during important conferences where the CEO is speaking.

I know it's fairly harmless and it's really not that big of a deal, I'm just curious as to how appropriate this kind of thing is. It seems rather unusual to me, but I imagine it seems quite normal to many people and may just be a product of the company culture.

What things should be considered with respect to this sort of activity?

Answer 1

This gets tricky. It's "appropriate" if:

• Employees can opt out, without penalty. Check out this document from the EEOC if you want the nitty gritty details. This is a really, really complicated area to get right - if in doubt, it's probably best to not try to include your religion in company sponsored events. But it's absolutely a clear line and problem in some areas such as a mandatory thing.
• It fits company culture. In some companies, this is totally going to be "normal" and fit the culture. In others, it won't.

If it doesn't fit either of those this gets really tricky. Mandating something almost assuredly crosses a line. In some ways it becomes a complicated legal question if someone is offended and disagrees.

prayer or blessing before we eat.

One thing to consider is that a "blessing" is a fairly common practice across many religions or cultures. Without knowing the explicit details, I would say there are considerable differences between the appropriateness of:

• A very specific Christian prayer at a meal
• A generic blessing, with Christian undertones
• Mandatory 9am company prayer

The reality is there is a continuum. Each individual person will have varying levels of "offendedness" at each of the above types of items.

As Monica points out, certain things that are "normal" in one religious background could be entirely offensive or even heretical in other religious. So you need great care in what you do in incorporating religious activities in a wider group setting.

Answer 2

Appropriate? That's a tough question because what's appropriate to one is not to another.

My personal feeling though is that it's unwise. When you introduce any organized prayer (even just a blessing on the food), you risk someone getting offended because they may have a different (or no) religion. The next step is that person not feeling comfortable with not participating or saying something about it. After that, there become questions of "hostile work environment" because the person alleges he was made to feel uncomfortable because he refused to participate, and so on.

Bringing any religious practice into a business that has no religious component in itself is a very risky idea.

Answer 3

It is presumptuous to assume that everyone is okay with a prayer at a company meal. I also would say that is probably not appropriate either.

The bottom line though is if you wish for this to be fruitful job for you, I would suggest that you silently bow your head at these events and just listen. No real harm comes from it.

I think it would be a horrible idea to raise this as an issue to HR as its already (obviously) an accepted practice. If you're that guy that complained about the prayer at the company meal, you're likely to make some enemies at all levels.

I found this article to be insightful. Religion in the workplace

At the end of the day however, if it bothers you too much, you may want to move on.

Answer 4

OP said

it's really not that big of a deal

... but there are people for whom yes, it is a big deal.

There is a big difference between a co-worker saying a quick personal Grace at lunchtime and corporate officers offering explicitly Christian prayers at official functions.

As others have said, though, there will likely be repercussions if you raise a fuss. An anonymous "helpful" note to HR with examples of companies getting sued for similar practices might help, though.