bonnie Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Woman Loses Her Job of 24 Years For Giving Very Common Pleasantry to Customers By Justen Charters A woman being fired for saying “Have a blessed day” is heating up the debate on political correctness. In 2009, Polly Neace of Kentucky heard the saying from one of her patrons at U.S. Bank. Polly liked the saying so much, she adopted it herself. Until recently, that is. The Daily Mail Reports: She said it all started in March 2011 when someone complained she had told them ‘have a blessed day’. * In a Code of Ethics violation, US Bank states several customers had complained when Neace said the phrase, which has Christian connotations. Polly, who has worked for U.S. bank for twenty-four years, is filing a lawsuit on grounds that her termination was due to her religious beliefs. No word on yet on whether the bank is crossing out “In God We Trust” before handing customers their money. Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 7, 2014 Moderators Posted July 7, 2014 No one has a right to be offensive to another. No one can expect to succeed in business if they are offensive to customers. No one can expect to be continued in employment if they offend customers. NOTE: Under current law, in EO cases, offense is determined not by the intent of the one who made the comment, but by how the person received it. As I understand the post, the woman was informed that "several complaints" had been made. At that point she should have said that she would change her greeting. To put this in perspective: What if her greeting had been, "May Shiva give you a blessed day." That greeting might be in accord with the religious beliefs of an employee, but many of us posting here would object to such and want the employee to stop greeting us in that manner. Quote Gregory
bonnie Posted July 8, 2014 Author Posted July 8, 2014 No one has a right to be offensive to another. No one can expect to succeed in business if they are offensive to customers. No one can expect to be continued in employment if they offend customers. NOTE: Under current law, in EO cases, offense is determined not by the intent of the one who made the comment, but by how the person received it. As I understand the post, the woman was informed that "several complaints" had been made. At that point she should have said that she would change her greeting. To put this in perspective: What if her greeting had been, "May Shiva give you a blessed day." That greeting might be in accord with the religious beliefs of an employee, but many of us posting here would object to such and want the employee to stop greeting us in that manner. You are probably right if that is all that you have of importance in your daily life.Trying to ferret out something you can claim offends you. What if her greeting had been, "May Shiva give you a blessed day." I would have to look this up to see if there is more to it,but isn't Shiva the period of mourning for the Jews? If that is correct I may think the greeting a little strange. Would it upset me,or would I complain in an attempt to cost someone their job? Nope There are far to many important issues in a day to see how petty I can be and claim to be offended Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 8, 2014 Moderators Posted July 8, 2014 Bonnie, Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the world, a Hindu god. I will suggest that there are many Christians who would object to such a blessing. I will suggest that that a Hindu employee should not be allowed to continue to give such a blessing to people who objet to it. It is just common sense and it is just common sense that a Christian employee should stop giving her blessing after being told that people are offended by it. to some, that blessing would be as offensive as a Shiva blessing would bed to Some Christians. You are a correct that some Jewish people may have a period of mourning called Shiva. I was not aware of that when I posted. Quote Gregory
bonnie Posted July 8, 2014 Author Posted July 8, 2014 Bonnie, Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the world, a Hindu god. I will suggest that there are many Christians who would object to such a blessing. I will suggest that that a Hindu employee should not be allowed to continue to give such a blessing to people who objet to it. It is just common sense and it is just common sense that a Christian employee should stop giving her blessing after being told that people are offended by it. to some, that blessing would be as offensive as a Shiva blessing would bed to Some Christians. You are a correct that some Jewish people may have a period of mourning called Shiva. I was not aware of that when I posted. Unless Lord Shiva has some power to destroy the world,I don't think I would get to upset over it. I may think it silly. Or if said with malicious intent,probably pity the small petty minded person saying it. Amazing how many people think they have a right to walk thru life and never be offended. I am thankful I have enough in my life that I don't have to go searching in hopes I can fin d someone to offend me Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Moderators Bravus Posted July 8, 2014 Moderators Posted July 8, 2014 http://biblehub.com/proverbs/27-14.htm Quote Truth is important
Administrators Gail Posted July 8, 2014 Administrators Posted July 8, 2014 That is a common greeting? It isn't here... Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 8, 2014 Members Posted July 8, 2014 "Have a blessed day" is one of those sayings that I don't care for. It seems trite to me.... Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
bonnie Posted July 8, 2014 Author Posted July 8, 2014 "Have a blessed day" is one of those sayings that I don't care for. It seems trite to me.... It is a little ironic that there are a three members here that find Shabbat Shalom,and Happy Sabbath,trite being repeated over and over. One really seems to be offended or at least really irritates him. The forum is a bit different obviously than the workplace,but would knowing that there are those that find it offensive be enough for you to stop doing so? If it would not stop you,why not? Do you need a law passed before you stop offending someone? Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
bonnie Posted July 8, 2014 Author Posted July 8, 2014 http://biblehub.com/proverbs/27-14.htm Was it suggested that this greeting should be given in the morning and done so loudly? English Standard Version Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing. Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 8, 2014 Members Posted July 8, 2014 Originally Posted By: rudywoofs "Have a blessed day" is one of those sayings that I don't care for. It seems trite to me.... It is a little ironic that there are a three members here that find Shabbat Shalom,and Happy Sabbath,trite being repeated over and over. One really seems to be offended or at least really irritates him. The forum is a bit different obviously than the workplace,but would knowing that there are those that find it offensive be enough for you to stop doing so? If it would not stop you,why not? Do you need a law passed before you stop offending someone? I think the "Happy Sabbath" is trite as well. That's why I don't say it or write it. But it doesn't particularly bother me when someone else says or writes it. I just figure it's part of the Adventist culture to which many are exposed. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
bonnie Posted July 8, 2014 Author Posted July 8, 2014 I think the "Happy Sabbath" is trite as well. That's why I don't say it or write it. But it doesn't particularly bother me when someone else says or writes it. I just figure it's part of the Adventist culture to which many are exposed. It doesn't bother me one way or another either,but if those it does bother were to make an issue out of being offended does this apply...No one has a right to be offensive to another. Would those doing so feel they should stop saying that because they are offending someone? Or would they continue to be offensive to others as long as it does not carry a legal penalty for doing so? Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Moderators Bravus Posted July 8, 2014 Moderators Posted July 8, 2014 The other thing that borrows me about this is that the original story is from the Daily Mail, a deeply untrustworthy source, and I can find no better sources on the story. It reports what *this woman claims* was the reason for her sacking. Was it the real reason? Was it the only reason? Did she refuse direct instructions in the workplace? Was she just a terrible employee? The story doesn't include the employer's perspective. If anyone has better quality information on this story I'd be very interested. Quote Truth is important
Moderators Bravus Posted July 8, 2014 Moderators Posted July 8, 2014 My point with the Proverbs quote was not about volume and timing, but just about the Bible recognising that what is given as a blessing is not always received or experienced that way. Quote Truth is important
Moderators Bravus Posted July 8, 2014 Moderators Posted July 8, 2014 As expected: more to the story: http://apmobile.worldnow.com/story/25927380/have-a-blessed-day?config=H264 Quote Truth is important
bonnie Posted July 8, 2014 Author Posted July 8, 2014 As expected: more to the story: http://apmobile.worldnow.com/story/25927380/have-a-blessed-day?config=H264 Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 8, 2014 Moderators Posted July 8, 2014 Quote: Back to why is it so urgent for so many people to claim to be offended? Question: Why do customers go to a bank? Answer: Because they want to transact banking business. They do not go to a bank for religious purposes. For that, they go to a church, or whatever it is in their background. No person who goes to a bank to transact financial business should be required to engage in religious conversation in order to conduct banking business. Quote Gregory
JoeMo Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 Quote: It is a little ironic that there are a three members here that find Shabbat Shalom,and Happy Sabbath,trite being repeated over and over. One really seems to be offended or at least really irritates him. The forum is a bit different obviously than the workplace,but would knowing that there are those that find it offensive be enough for you to stop doing so? You are correct that this forum is different from the workplace. One of the biggest differences is that this is basically a spiritually-based forum made up primarily of Adventists. We do not have "customers", so to speak; we are the customers. The "Happy Sabbath" thing offends only a very small percentage of members. If they choose to be offended by a spiritual greeting posted on a spiritual website, maybe they need to find a new website where they are happier. We all know of people who have been suspended or banned from CA when they become offensive to a "critical mass" (as determined by Moderators)of members. I conduct a weekly "bible Study" (for lack of a better term) at my workplace with the blessings of the company provided that I: 1. Call it a "Book Club" rather than "Bible Study" on Conference Room Calendars. 2. That we not meet in "fishbowl" conference rooms that to which our customers have ready access. 3. Only hold meetings outside of work hours (lunch hour is OK). 4. No loud debate, prayers, or hymn singing. If I/we were to violate these rules, I would expect to be disciplined. Quote
Administrators Naomi Posted July 8, 2014 Administrators Posted July 8, 2014 You obviously have a good relationship with your upper management and they have confidence in your desire to "play by the rules" Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
Administrators Naomi Posted July 8, 2014 Administrators Posted July 8, 2014 It is a little ironic that there are a three members here that find Shabbat Shalom,and Happy Sabbath,trite being repeated over and over. One really seems to be offended or at least really irritates him. The forum is a bit different obviously than the workplace,but would knowing that there are those that find it offensive be enough for you to stop doing so? If it would not stop you,why not? Do you need a law passed before you stop offending someone? Originally Posted By: rudywoofs I think the "Happy Sabbath" is trite as well. That's why I don't say it or write it. But it doesn't particularly bother me when someone else says or writes it. I just figure it's part of the Adventist culture to which many are exposed. In regard to the above post and a private email message ... yes, it is enough to stop me from wishing anyone a happy/blessed/or evil Sabbath!!! I thought this to be a Christian forum and many Sunday keeping friends that I know wish each other Happy Sabbath ... it appears we have wondered farther and farther away from clubadventist A question: Which law is going to protect me from being offended? Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
fccool Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 I think that "blessed day" is colloquial form of speech. Yes, it does have religious connotations, but to be offended by it enough to complain about it to the management... not sure it's appropriate, especially if the intent is a form of good wish. Yes, we can run to the other extreme and say that "May Satan guide your paths" could be in the same league, but in historically predominantly Christian US... what's the big deal? On the other hand, she wasn't fired because of her religious beliefs, but due to insubordination. In corporate environment insubordination is enough to get you canned, especially if it's a low-level job. No one asked her to abandon her religious beliefs. Quote
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted July 8, 2014 Administrators Posted July 8, 2014 Back to why is it so urgent for so many people to claim to be offended? I don't know, but why are you offended that they are offended? Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Administrators Gail Posted July 8, 2014 Administrators Posted July 8, 2014 Naomi, I am glad that you would think to wish me a happy anything!! :) Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 8, 2014 Members Posted July 8, 2014 Originally Posted By: rudywoofs or Bonnie?? It is a little ironic that there are a three members here that find Shabbat Shalom,and Happy Sabbath,trite being repeated over and over. One really seems to be offended or at least really irritates him. The forum is a bit different obviously than the workplace,but would knowing that there are those that find it offensive be enough for you to stop doing so? If it would not stop you,why not? Do you need a law passed before you stop offending someone? I did not write that. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Administrators Gail Posted July 8, 2014 Administrators Posted July 8, 2014 Triteness "out there" happens all the time. When people tell me to "Have a good day," I like to reply, "Because you have said it, I will!" There is a lot worse that could be said to offend people. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
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