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Conflicting Interests

Vitality

Member
How would you feel working for a company that supports religious and political affiliations that conflict with your own values if it were in a field you are passionate about?

I am a non-theist and the company I work for primarily supports very right-wing churches. While I don’t deal much with clients directly (I’m a designer) I find myself having to bite my tongue a lot any time their faith based mission comes up in conversation.

When I did my internship here several years ago they prayed before every meeting. When they offered me a full-time job I declined mostly for that reason alone. I was still working on my degree at the time too, so I also didn’t want to add more to my plate at the time.

The company has since undergone ownership change. There is no more prayer in-office, and they’re beginning to expand into other sectors. This made me comfortable accepting a full-time position when they made another offer.

Thing is, I am merely an “apprentice” and landing a job in this field without specified training or education is unheard of. I’m essentially an engineer without the certifications. I operate directly under the lead engineer, who acts as my mentor. Point being, I can’t just go out and find another job in the same field.

I’m not going to quit because I do enjoy my job. I just feel unsettled working around people who’s views differ drastically from my own. I feel as if I can’t really be myself around them.

Granted, this is nothing new for me. I grew up in a religious family. I’m used to setting differences aside. Spending my youth having philosophical and religious discussion with family whose views I don’t see eye-to-eye with is probably how I became so open minded, even though I probably sound dense af right now.

I guess I don’t really have a point to this thread. Just venting. Although I am curious to hear from others who have experienced similar situations and whether or not the difference in values affected your continued career path with a company that is centered around a mission you don’t support.
 
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Lain

Well-Known Member
How would you feel working for a company that supports religious and political affiliations that conflict with your own values if it were in a field you are passionate about?

Depends on what it was and how closely I was involved with it. In the overwhelming majority of cases (and probably the one you're in) I wouldn't mind it and would just get the bag.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
How would you feel working for a company that supports religious and political affiliations that conflict with your own values if it were in a field you are passionate about?

I am a non-theist and the company I work for primarily supports very right-wing churches. While I don’t deal much with clients directly (I’m a designer) I find myself having to bite my tongue a lot any time their faith based mission comes up in conversation.

When I did my internship here several years ago they prayed before every meeting. When they offered me a full-time job I declined mostly for that reason alone. I was still working on my degree at the time too, so I also didn’t want to add more to my plate at the time.

The company has since undergone ownership change. There is no more prayer in-office, and they’re beginning to expand into other sectors. This made me comfortable accepting a full-time position when they made another offer.

Thing is, I am merely an “apprentice” and landing a job in this field without specified training or education is unheard of. I’m essentially an engineer without the certifications. I operate directly under the lead engineer, who acts as my mentor. Point being, I can’t just go out and find another job in the same field.

I’m not going to quit because I do enjoy my job. I just feel unsettled working around people who’s views differ drastically from my own. I feel as if I can’t really be myself around them.

Granted, this is nothing new for me. I grew up in a religious family. I’m used to setting differences aside. Spending my youth having philosophical and religious discussion with family whose views I don’t see eye-to-eye with is probably how I became so open minded, even though I probably sound dense af right now.

I guess I don’t really have a point to this thread. Just venting. Although I am curious to hear from others who have experienced similar situations and whether or not the difference in values affected your continued career path with a company who’s mission you don’t support.

Well, you were looking for a job when you found that one.
I'd keep your ear to he ground looking for other opportunities.

Most of the job I've had asked for a certification which I don't have. I'm such a friendly guy though, they couldn't resist my charm. :cool:
 

Orbit

I'm a planet
How would you feel working for a company that supports religious and political affiliations that conflict with your own values if it were in a field you are passionate about?

I am a non-theist and the company I work for primarily supports very right-wing churches. While I don’t deal much with clients directly (I’m a designer) I find myself having to bite my tongue a lot any time their faith based mission comes up in conversation.

When I did my internship here several years ago they prayed before every meeting. When they offered me a full-time job I declined mostly for that reason alone. I was still working on my degree at the time too, so I also didn’t want to add more to my plate at the time.

The company has since undergone ownership change. There is no more prayer in-office, and they’re beginning to expand into other sectors. This made me comfortable accepting a full-time position when they made another offer.

Thing is, I am merely an “apprentice” and landing a job in this field without specified training or education is unheard of. I’m essentially an engineer without the certifications. I operate directly under the lead engineer, who acts as my mentor. Point being, I can’t just go out and find another job in the same field.

I’m not going to quit because I do enjoy my job. I just feel unsettled working around people who’s views differ drastically from my own. I feel as if I can’t really be myself around them.

Granted, this is nothing new for me. I grew up in a religious family. I’m used to setting differences aside. Spending my youth having philosophical and religious discussion with family whose views I don’t see eye-to-eye with is probably how I became so open minded, even though I probably sound dense af right now.

I guess I don’t really have a point to this thread. Just venting. Although I am curious to hear from others who have experienced similar situations and whether or not the difference in values affected your continued career path with a company that is centered around a mission you don’t support.

Try to separate/compartmentalize your work life from your personal views. Just think of it as a way to make money and disregard what they believe and do. Sometimes you can't afford to live your principles. I'm a pragmatist in these matters.
 

Vitality

Member
Try to separate/compartmentalize your work life from your personal views. Just think of it as a way to make money and disregard what they believe and do. Sometimes you can't afford to live your principles. I'm a pragmatist in these matters.


That has been my approach thus far. It helps that everyone is genuinely kind here. I like to believe I am as well. It still just bugs me when I stop to think about things. Plus the commute sucks lol
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
As an ex owner of a deliberately politically and religiously neutral company i had the opposite dilemma. If we wanted the best it meant we had to accommodate a mixed bag of political and religious views. Our biggest problem was muslums for whom we dedicated a corner of the canteen as a prayer area.

My point to this is, there was considerable discussion but little bad feeling against different religious or political positions.

How? We made it part of the induction course to acclimatise people to other beliefs they will encounter while working for us. If they didn't like it then either grin and accept it or go find another job

You apparently are not in the position (yet) to find alternative employment so just accept that some people are religious. So long as they are not ramming it doen your throat i see you have little choice but to keep your head down and accept it until the time when you can move on.
 

Vitality

Member
It’s not working with religious people that is a problem for me. I don’t care what individuals personally believe or don’t believe. My issue is working for a right-wing organization that supports churches whose overall agenda directly conflicts with my values.
 
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