Brothers and Sisters (JWs)- Does/Did Your Employer Know That You Are A Witness?

Question

If so, did they find out:
a) during the interview

b) after you got the job, directly from you (if so, under what circumstances)

c) after you got the job, indirectly (if so, under what circumstances)

d) [insert own option]?

People in general usually find out that Vot is JW when they ask what religion I belong to, or when they invite me to participate in stuff I can't do, and then I freely explain. But with my current supervisor, *something* is holding me back.

They provide lunch for Vot at work (YAY!!!) but ever since the day I saw what looked like a birthday cake on the table, I carry my own lunch so as not to have any embarrassing situations at the table. (Explaining that you're a JW and don't celebrate birthdays and why you don't to someone on their birthday is not the best of experiences)

I thought I'd tell my supervisor at the end of June when I wanted to ask her to give me a fixed schedule so that I could auxiliary pioneer in July. But before I could ask, she phoned me one day to say they didn't need me to come in for the whole month of July ^_^

Then I'd been thinking all week that I really should tell her in advance that I won't be able to come in for work on Friday (tomorrow) because of the DC but I let it drag on until today, and then when I got there this morning she told me to gather all my plants and finish off the calculations and stuff at home, and only come back when I'm done or when I need help.

Cool, huh? :-D

Answer 1

I work for a construction company and the owner knows very well and is reminded every day that I am a Witness of Jehovah God. The owner is my husband. LOL

Answer 2

Tsk tsk Vot, you waited until the day before to ask for the Friday of the DC off? I told my boss in my interview. If you're relaxed and casual about it, not making a big deal, it's easy to do. Do it before a situation like a birthday comes up. Then you'll often find that instead of it becoming an issue at the last second, people will sometimes go out of their way to accomodate you when celebrations come up that we can't participate in. My office here has decided to cancel the Christmas party and have something in Oct/Nov without anything Christmas-y. Letting people at work know has also opened the way for several interesting Bible discussions and may lead to a study. Trust me, after working for seven different companies in 11 different locations it's always best to let it be know.

Answer 3

Vot, I love your questions. Yes, my employer knows I'm a Witness and not a problem. But here's how it happened.



I started working for a small weekly newspaper over 28 years ago. The publisher and his wife soon knew I was a Witness. Ralph (owner), would say to me, "I fought in WWII to give you freedom of religion and I still believe in it, even if I don't believe in your religion." I loved that man.



After about 15 years he and his wife sold the paper to a family business group of publishers (not the Witness kind!!) One caveat was I had to stay on. When he announced the sale and introduced the new publisher (I knew long before that) he said right away that the entire family was Roman Catholic, which he really didn't like, but... a couple of million$$$++ is hard to turn down when you are 75.



I've now been with the newspaper group (4 papers now) for over 28 years total. My Catholic employer has never given me an ounce of grief about my religion. He knows I don't go to Xmas or patriotic parties, but then, I rarely go to anybody's party. Never a worry about time off for conventions, etc.



But, you see, I'm in sales. As long as I bring in my quota, I'm doing my job. So if anyone is interested in pioneering or more service time, sales is a great job. Especially now that so much can be done from home, when it's convenient. No, I'm not a pioneer, but that's a story for a different time.

Answer 4

My last employer, I told that I was a Witness and I had certain events that I would be attending. They were desperate and I have recommendations from their clients. So, they have put up with me for the past 23 years. (So, Vot, you were just walking about then) Everyone knows that I am a Witness or will as soon as they bring a "birthday card" or something for the first time. We have 500 employees.



I'm working for the third CEO and she knows if she needs a reliable person for a task, I can be depended on to do it.



The only disadvantage Vot that I see in your situation is lost opportunities to witness.



Remember even my job is a temp job, just to fill the cupboards and keep me out in service.

Answer 5

I guess I would have to say [c], after I got the job indirectly. Actually, I did not interview for my position because I had the job long before I even walked in the front doors. Sounds weird but actually makes a lot of sense in my line of work. Anyways, I have been on my job for over 20 years. Everybody knows I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses; they found out I was a Witness probably within the first week since I keep literature and my Bible on my desk; and I spend my lunch hours in the cafeteria doing Bible study or Bible reading – all that leads to questions. If they did not know it then, they knew it the first time a birthday celebration rolled around. I am the only Witness on my job and have been for years though there are over 100 employees. I have had several co-workers approach me over the years with Bible questions and they appreciate the information they get. Interestingly, after the terrible events of September 11, 2001, I had several people come to me with Bible questions.



Hannah J Paul

Answer 6

It's been pointed out that in U.S., the question

of religion is not usually discussed in interviews.



Previously, my employers and workmates always

knew that I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

It usually comes up in conversation or other

activity (i.e., holiday/birthday preparations)

I have always been courteous and respectful

of others' beliefs in the work environment.

One manager even wanted to forego a holiday

celebration for the group because of my beliefs.

I told that manager that no concessions should

be made for me, I just don't participate. I don't

dictate what others do.



A few years ago, I had a new assignment that

I requested time off for a convention and the

person scheduling got the dates mixed up.

Rather than make a big deal, I was just going

to attend the first day of the convention after

getting only a few (2-3) hours of sleep after

working all night. One of the directors, upon

understanding that, said "Oh no, you need to

be fresh for your meeting". She was not one

of Jehovah's Witnesses. She corrected the

schedule.

Answer 7

All the people I work with know I am studying with the witnesses and it's a good opportunity to talk to them about Bible truths. I've only worked with one person who was opposed to it, which didn't bother me. Everyone else is very interested and ask lots of questions about what we believe so they are very impressed I can show them in the Bible their answer. I work in retail and they're quite happy that I don't mind working Xmas day or other pagan holidays because they all want to be at home celebrating it.



I work very set hours full-time and a lot on my own so I can't really ask to take any unexpected time off. It's a mission in itself to get the assemblies off etc.



But that is a good story about how you got the month off to do pioneering without needing to ask :D I think I said at the interview I was studying with witnesses and needed 3 days off for the big assembly, so it didn't affect me getting the job ;) But as for colleagues they asked me what stuff I was reading on my breaks and that - my Bible with Bible based material so I was able to show them =)



<3

Answer 8

In the Job interviews I've been they seldom ask about religion. But I remember in one of job interview I was asked to tell about my activites my hobbies. There I was able to tell the manager that I am JW and go out on weekend preaching house to house. I was and hired and this was my first job as a professional accountant. In other companies I;ve work my colleagues knew I was one JW because I told right away when i was asked to join mass, birhtdays and christmas parties.

So informing you colleagues (if the boss/supervisor is always busy) beforehand will help.

Answer 9

The boss I have now was not my boss at interview.

It was listed on my Resume so it was no secret.



On work conference calls we do as a group, my rejection to share in pagan days and deeds is known by colleagues Australia wide.



Turns out my current boss has a best friend I know too so

she has been OK when I want time for assemblies and conventions.



In recent years it has been funny at Xmas time when the parties start. They make a big deal out of getting everyone together for a state group party that I have never joined. Last year the manager asked (persistantly) if I "might consider attending but you can just think of it as a plain party". . .!!



I told her I would attend . . once she has come to a Sunday meeting at the KH and 'just pretend it is a training session'. . she declined. ha ha ha.



,.

Answer 10

I work in the health care field and one day I was asked to give Plan B to one of our patients and I had to let them know then I could not do it because of my religious beliefs. They also wanted to know my birthday so they can give me a birthday cake when my birthday comes around I turned that down as well. That is how they found out I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses.



I don't go out of my way to tell my employers which religion I belong to but eventually they will find out ---because someone at work will talk about the bible and I will put my 2 cents in and the reply will be, You are a Jehovah's Witness? Or something conflicts with my religious beliefs and I have to let them know then.

Answer 11

For my last full-time job it was B.



I was working at a LARGE national USA company. I actually did not have a formal interview. I had been working as a temp for 3 months and they came to me and asked if I would work for them.



But they had the opportunity to learn that I was a Witness during that time, even before I was hired.



Since I worked in different departments though, (we could bid in), I would have to inform each new supervisor and each new group of employees.



The company policy was that in the first week of January a calendar was sent throughout the department (40 to 100 employees) where you had to mark EVERY DAY you planned to have off the WHOLE YEAR. This was based on senority. So there were times I would hold my breath to see if I would get my selection of time off for the assemblies.



In eleven years, I always had my time off, even with other Witnesses working in the same department.



During those eleven years, I went to three International (overseas) Conventions. Those dates were set in stone. So when I knew the dates for months BEFORE January, I would go to my supervisor, explain the reason and the need to be off, and the need to have those dates, even if it would interfere with the "senority". The reply each time was to let them know if someone else picked that time slot and they would take care of it. It always worked out.



Be up front and matter of fact. Let them know you will work around any requests as best as you can. You would respect their time off needs, and they more than likely will yours also.

Answer 12

I can honestly say I love the people I work for. They are J.W.'s as well.

I've been with them for just over a year and we get along wonderfully.

I work as an accounts receivable clerk for their company. There was a time I thought I would never find work I liked again. WHO you work for can make all the difference in the world.

Answer 13

That is so cool you are really being blessed!



Well I do not have a formula. My hubby marches in and says exactly what is what on day one.



That is NOT my style I do my job to the best of my ability and if something comes up I explain right away so there is no confusion.

Answer 14

They know, and not only do they know, it's the reason I have the position I have now. When I began working for them, I was a bookkeeper, and because of my honesty and work ethic, they promoted me to upper management. They also hired others of my faith, because of the same reason. They also hired a fleshly relative of mine, who is not a Jehovah's witness, thinking she would be as reliable as we were, but soon caught her stealing products. I was humiliated for her, but interestingly, my LDS boss, (the relative is also LDS) told me that if she had been a witness, he doesn't believe it would have happened. He told me that he has been stolen from by members of his own congregation more than once. Over the decades I have worked for this company, there have been at least twenty other members of our faith who have worked there. I am happy to say that I was their first experience with hiring Jehovah's Witnesses, and I am glad it was positive for us both. They have always been very accomodating when it came to my schedule, and I have never missed a convention or meeting because of my job.

I'm not sure at what point they became aware of my religion, but it was very early on, probably in the first week.

Answer 15

I have always voiced my stand as a JW at the inital interview. With my current employer the Manager I have now didn't interview me. So if they were planning a b-day, or christmas and they wuld ask me to participate I would voice it to them then. Everyone I work with knows my stand.

Answer 16

u do need to be courteous and give your employer more notice. we usually find out the dates of our DC 5 months in advance.



in the US it is illegal to ask an employee of their religious affiliation. if u have vacation time it is none of their business how u spend it. it can be a witness if u do share why u need that time. it can be a protection or a problem

Answer 17

My new boss knows it from my old boss. They stick together and talked about me. Later I went on a journy with my new boss and started to talk two or three times about the truth, but the silence that occured was so icy that I didn't talk again about the truth. I tried with several collegues, but all of them reacted icy. So I didn't talk to them any more. But they all know I am a JW.

Answer 18

Yes from the start.

Answer 19

You dont have to volunteer your religion. Just excuse yourself next time. If you knew you needed a day off to attend to something personal and knew of the date of ahead of time, you should have at least requested 1 - 2 weeks in advance. I was a former JW and I knew of the convention dates 3 months before. So I would always request days off in advance. It's called good work ethics!

Answer 20

So because you do not celebrate birthdays this means you can not show respect for those that do ?



I am a Agnostic, I show respect for all religions no matter what they are. All I have even asked is that you return the respect towards me and my beliefs.



If your religion forces you to not show respect towards others then I would say you need to look into a different religion and/or become a good respectful person not because of your religion but because its the right thing to do !







Wow ! I talk respect and get thumbs down ! you JW's are tuff to deal with !

Answer 21

e) not working but in school all the teachers know as well as students and principals.

Answer 22

Did she and the other gals really only get tired of hearing you refer to yourself as "Vot"?

Oli would send you home to work too.

Answer 23

They know I witnessed a crime and needed to go to court

Answer 24

im Protestant and I dont volunteer those things cuz it isnt their business.

Answer 25

No birthdays??? =(