Handling situations in the workplace

[BeMyLove]

While at work yesterday, a former employee stopped by to say hello to everyone. She has a new job working for a Catholic organization and when asked why she wasn’t at work, told her former co-workers, “the people I work for are Catholic and they don’t believe in working on Good Friday” and I couldn’t help but notice the smile and wink gestures when she mentioned this to everyone, including myself. A few minutes later, there was a small gathering in a room I was working in with this former employee, including one of my bosses and she kept repeating the “they’re Catholic and well you know” comment. So, I piped up and said in a very upbeat tone, “hey, (to my boss), I’m Catholic, can I have the rest of the day off”? The group of people laughed nervously and the boss just smiled and no comment was made.
I’m just not sure why I made the comment and kind of wish I had just kept my mouth shut. But, if I answer this question honestly, I think I made the comment because I was afraid that because this former employee felt compelled to repeat the “they’re Catholic and you know” comment, over and over again, I didn’t want the conversation to move into all out Catholic bashing.
I already felt some pangs of guilt for working on Good Friday. I have only been working in this office for a month and have been out of work for a year so, I need this job desperately.
I guess my question is, should I have handled this situation in a different way? Have I sinned for the sake of my pride? Am I suffering from scrupulosity? I would appreciate any comments and insight.

 

[katy]

Well, I wasn’t there, but it looks as though you handled the situation with humor and lightness. I have similar problems and quandaries where I work. There are those who seem to think bashing Catholics is the sophisticated thing to do. Eventually the strain of listening to the Church I love and for which Christ died treated that way gets to me and I say some small thing, not necessarily with your light touch. I have been told by a priest that we are not obligated to say something in work situations like this, but my patience is not what it should be, I suppose. I am also over 65 and getting too old to care as much as I did when I really, really needed a job. IMHO, no, not scrupulous at all, just trying to figure out how to act in this changed world where Catholics seem to be the only ones it is OK to target for ridicule.

 

[Leegal]

While at work yesterday, a former employee stopped by to say hello to everyone. She has a new job working for a Catholic organization and when asked why she wasn’t at work, told her former co-workers, “the people I work for are Catholic and they don’t believe in working on Good Friday” and I couldn’t help but notice the smile and wink gestures when she mentioned this to everyone, including myself. A few minutes later, there was a small gathering in a room I was working in with this former employee, including one of my bosses and she kept repeating the “they’re Catholic and well you know” comment. So, I piped up and said in a very upbeat tone, “hey, (to my boss), I’m Catholic, can I have the rest of the day off”? The group of people laughed nervously and the boss just smiled and no comment was made.
I’m just not sure why I made the comment and kind of wish I had just kept my mouth shut. But, if I answer this question honestly, I think I made the comment because I was afraid that because this former employee felt compelled to repeat the “they’re Catholic and you know” comment, over and over again, I didn’t want the conversation to move into all out Catholic bashing.
I already felt some pangs of guilt for working on Good Friday. I have only been working in this office for a month and have been out of work for a year so, I need this job desperately.
I guess my question is, should I have handled this situation in a different way? Have I sinned for the sake of my pride? Am I suffering from scrupulosity? I would appreciate any comments and insight.

You did nothing wrong. Stop worrying. I’m sure your boss knew it was said in the context of the former co-worker’s repeat comments.

 

[anp1215]

Sounds like everyone was just joking around. No sin here.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

While at work yesterday, a former employee stopped by to say hello to everyone. She has a new job working for a Catholic organization and when asked why she wasn’t at work, told her former co-workers, “the people I work for are Catholic and they don’t believe in working on Good Friday” and I couldn’t help but notice the smile and wink gestures when she mentioned this to everyone, including myself. A few minutes later, there was a small gathering in a room I was working in with this former employee, including one of my bosses and she kept repeating the “they’re Catholic and well you know” comment. So, I piped up and said in a very upbeat tone, “hey, (to my boss), I’m Catholic, can I have the rest of the day off”? The group of people laughed nervously and the boss just smiled and no comment was made.
I’m just not sure why I made the comment and kind of wish I had just kept my mouth shut. But, if I answer this question honestly, I think I made the comment because I was afraid that because this former employee felt compelled to repeat the “they’re Catholic and you know” comment, over and over again, I didn’t want the conversation to move into all out Catholic bashing.
I already felt some pangs of guilt for working on Good Friday. I have only been working in this office for a month and have been out of work for a year so, I need this job desperately.
I guess my question is, should I have handled this situation in a different way? Have I sinned for the sake of my pride? Am I suffering from scrupulosity? I would appreciate any comments and insight.

If it changed the subject, I’d say you did great! I know just what you mean by this kind of comment, it seemed as if this ex-employee was really hoping to start off a firestorm of Catholic-bashing, else why keep repeating it? No one really seemed to care, or the topic would have quickly devolved into “yeah and what about those pedophile priests?”

The only thing I might suggest is to think of a few things to say that aren’t a disclosure of your religious beliefs. Saying something radially off topic such as, “I just LOVE that dress, where did you get it?” or, “That hair cut is so flattering,” or even, “So did you catch the last episode of Dancing with the Stars?” to her or anyone else in the room, can change the focus from the religious sphere.

 

[BeMyLove]

Thank you for the comments! I feel better about the situation. It’s true that with all the Catholic bashing that goes on, it’s hard at times to hold your tongue! I’ll continue to pray about it and thanks again.