I want to kick Jesus in the nuts!
By CyberLizard on Jan 18, 2010 in Asshats, FAIL, Jesus loves you but not today, Twitter, WTF, atheism, bullshit, bureacracy bullshit, christians, civil rights, disgust, dumbfuckery, idiots, illegal, morons, rants, republitards
I am royally pissed off right now. I mean seriously pissed. Back in 2008 I came out as an atheist. I fully expected some friends or family to have a hissy-fit, but the idea that there would be workplace ramifications never entered my mind. In my place of employment, that kind of crap is kept outside. All that matters is what kind of code I write and how I manage my team. Apparently that’s not the case for everyone.
My very good friend, who I shall call “Fucked by Jesus” or FBJ for short, was recently outed at work as being an atheist. Her place of employment is rather saturated with love of the lord, but it’s a huge organization with lots of public scrutiny, so while I expected to hear about some discomfort from the petty whisperings of narrow-minded theistic co-workers, I didn’t expect to hear about a full-blown attack being perpetrated against FBJ by the organization itself. Her internet access has been cut off, TweetDeck and iTunes uninstalled from her PC, her shit rifled through and they moved her to a new cubicle. No idea if that was to bring her closer to Jesus or what.
In the interest of fairness, if there is a policy against having applications like TweetDeck or iTunes installed, then they are legally within their rights to remove them. But I’ll bet you the price of a new bible that there are other, god-loving employees there with those applications installed who haven’t been touched.
This whole thing is fucking bullshit. I suspect that it is even illegal. She is being subjected to an extremely hostile work environment due solely to her religions preferences (or lack thereof). I think the ACLU needs to get involved. This kind of shit shouldn’t be happening in the 21st century. I thought the Inquisitions became passe after the Dark Ages. WTF?
Hang tough, girl! You’ve got the entire atheist community behind you on this one. No one fucks with the CyberLizard’s friends. I’ve got a whole pack of chupacabras just waiting to be unleashed on their asses. Just say the word.
Chupacabra here. "You have my sword!"
Jason Thibeault | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
It's fucking insane!
I get that she probably shouldn't have had tweetdeck installed but iTunes??? She played it openly every day, everyone knew about it and heard it. Then all of a sudden the day after a co-worker gets upset about finding out she's an Athiest they crack down on iTunes?? Seriously WTF?!
I'll send polar bears with your chupacabras.
Jodi | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Wow. That's disgusting.
Invoking legal action is tricky if there is a corporate ban on the applications, unless they are not removing software across the board. Also I would advise that your friend have as much previous performance data *in writing* as possible as it's perfectly within the scheme of things to say that the software was removed for productivity reasons, etc.
The iTunes piece – discrimination aside – is vaguely understandable. We have a block on iTunes. People watching movies, etc. at work is not productive.
Not that commenting on my boyfriend's blog is. :-/
kelleyclark | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
The issue has more to do with the singling her out. I can understand a blanket sweep to clear everyone's computers of unauthorized apps, but only she got tapped. And they went through her stuff AND they moved her fucking desk! This kind of crap is unacceptable.
And I won't complain about unproductive boyfriend-blog commenting
CyberLizard | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
I suspect that all the employer has to say is that they received information that she had unauthorized software on her computer and that probably allows them to do almost whatever they want. It isn't fair, but it sounds like it may be fairly tough to oppose legally.
vjack | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
So very uncool. I've seen similar tactics, not religiously motivated, but just management attempting to make life difficult for a particular employee so they'll get frustrated and quit.
I know a number of chupacabras who would be happy to join the fray. Let us know how things unfold for your friend. Tell her to keep the faith…errr…un-faith.
tall penguin | Jan 18, 2010 | Reply
Do yu have all the facts? Sometimes what seems to be a clear cut case is often clouded.
Cool Planner | Jan 19, 2010 | Reply
What about the fact that she was singled out, when others in the department openly have that kind of software installed? The day after she was outed as an atheist? I think there would be enough there to at least put the fear of god into them, pun intended
CyberLizard | Jan 21, 2010 | Reply
I actually do. I’m in direct contact with the girl involved. She’s gotten them to back down and re-installed her TweetDeck. They realised they were on *very* shaky ground, I think.
CyberLizard | Jan 21, 2010 | Reply