My Boss’ Change Of Heart, On Catholicism?

[CheerfulTabby22]

What’s up, wonderful ladies and gents?

So, I recently changed departments, at work! (They wanted me in a position where I get to speak with customers on a more one-on-one basis, and find out how our store can improve, etc!)

And now, I have a new manager.

He’s a nice fella. And seems to be a very good-hearted soul- One day, I was having trouble lifting a large container of water (Gahh…just not strong enough!! ) And he stepped over and took it from me, saying, “I gotcha, dear heart.”

(Note: He has three daughters, so the term of endearment is not unusual- and we joke in our area that he’s “Work Dad”)

Not too long after he started, I found out he is also a pastor of one of the small Protestant churches in town. Not only does the fella work SIXTY or so hours a week, but he preaches, as well! Golly.

And also (As I’ve written about on here) I learned a friend of mine severely dislikes our local Catholic Church.

Well, that’s also how my boss has been, up until this point.

When this first started, he overheard me talking about Catholic stuff. (I just can’t help being fascinated whenever I learn something new, and gushing about it! Catholics are interesting! WOOT!)

Well, he walked over and goes, “Can I speak with ya, Tabs?”

And immediately I tensed up, feeling like a child who knows she’ll be punished. Uh oh…

“Now, Tabs, I don’t want to pry, but I know you’ve been interested in all that Catholic stuff…” He gave me a parental look, “Are you…planning to join them?”

I looked up, confused. I thought maybe he was just gonna ask me to not speak about religion in a work environment!

“The Catholics have very…un-biblical beliefs, Tabby. And I just want to make sure you know what their faith is, and what it is they actually believe.” He looked very stern.

I must have had an upset expression, because he suddenly looked away and said, “I feel like I just kicked a puppy.” And then, “If you want to join a church, look into mine!”

(He also gently let it be known he did not want me to speak of this again.)

Now, I couldn’t help but feel this was a liiiittle unprofessional of the fella. But then again, it was unprofessional of me to talk about religion at work. I understand.

It seems his feelings have changed however. (I’ve slipped up a few times and excitedly mentioned some stuff from this site in front of him.)

Today, he said, “Well…seems like there’s a lot of nice folks on that Catholic site you always talk about. Maybe I’ll give it a look.”

So…maybe we’ll see him on here! cheers This is a huge change from the fella who would occasionally give me website links (He would write them on paper and give them to me, during the work day) for sites that were kinda anti-Catholic.

 

[Dlee]

If you are in the U.S., these conversations have crossed so many professional lines, and I’m not referring to the religion comments only. Be careful - but continue to be yourself. Calling you dear heart is not professional or acceptable in the work place. I understand joking around, but once you cross the line, you can’t go back. Often, the boss or manager who becomes such a close friend also feels they can hold you to standards that are higher than other employees. You become too familiar with that person - he already treats you like a daughter. That said, we can pray that your enthusiasm will cause him to search out the truth of what Catholics believe.

 

[CheerfulTabby22]

Yep, I live in the US! That’s a very good point, about his comments. And I think you’re right, too, about him holding me to a higher standard- He seems to expect me to be available to work on every day off, lol!

And of course I DO love my job!

But sometimes, a gal needs a rest!

Thanks for the words of wisdom and advice! I’ll be kinda…cautious with this situation! I’ll still be myself, but I’ll try to keep the conversations a little more professional!

 

[TheLittleLady]

US law puts him in a bad position. His words could be considered a hostile work environment.

My advice to you, don’t talk about religion, politics or sex in the workplace. At all. If your boss or someone else brings it up, change the subject to a work related topic or to the weather. If they don’t take the hint, respond “MegaCorp is not paying us to discuss religion, so, let’s get back to work, okay?”

 

[CheerfulTabby22]

Good points! Thank you for the advice! And that’s very true, we’re not getting paid to discuss that stuff.

Um, well, err, I’d never bring up anything…sexual of course, at work! (Since I’m celibate and all that stuff, waiting for marriage, etc. It just never comes up) I find those topics really…awkward. I’m weird like that! Now, my COWORKERS, however, talk about that stuff a lot! (Not that I’m judging em’, or anything! I mean, it’s prolly healthy to at least be able to talk about those things.)