Anti-gay bumpersticker posted at my workplace.

[gbate]

I came into work last week and saw, tacked to a bulletin board behind a desk that I share with a (fundie) co-worker, one of those "marriage = 1 man and 1 woman" bumperstickers. I was livid, but before I say anything to the offender, I wondered if I had a leg to stand on. I work in a hospital, but the sticker is not in a public place, but a private office. Unfortunately, I am required to share space with this person and this sticker offends me. Should I risk the working relationship I have with her and say something? Should I bring this issue to a higher-up? Ack, I have already gone out and gotten a "a mind is like a parachute, it works better when open" sticker to put up near it.

[Warpy]

1. By all means bring it to the manager's attention

and remind him that if the fundy has carte blanche to bring in political bumper stickers, so do you. Then give him a wide grin.

My guess is that a memo about not putting up religious and political signs will arrive by quitting time.

If it doesn't, then be prepared with "HATE: it's not just for breakfast any more."

[SharonAnn]

7. Ages ago, the men in my office had Playboy desktop calendars and wall calendars, so I

got the first Cosmo centerfold (Burt Reynolds naked and i still have it) and put it on the wall behind my desk. After a couple of days, management made a policy against all of these. Guess the guys didn't like looking at the picture of Burt?

Anyway, it worked.

I'd be tempted to just put up your bumper sticker, it's not offensive unless someone thinks that their closed mind needs to be protected. Kind of hard to defend that.

[Olney Blue]

2. It's inappropriate in any work place. I would talk to your supervisor.

[havocmom]

3. Public place or not, HR should be informed

Such things can be considered as contributing to a hostile work environment and the institution is liable for damages if it is allowed to continue.

[Nay]

6. Exactly. This is the "hostile workplace" rule, and HR will know it.

That person will be ordered to take it down immediately.

[Vexatious Ape]

4. Just take it off and replace it with your bumpersticker.

[wickedcity]

8. Yeah...

No freedom of speech for anyone who disagrees with me.

[gbate]

9. Hesitate to even respond to this, but I'm going to.

Freedom of speech is not the issue. The workplace is not the issue to air your political views.

[ScratchyPearl]

5. If it were me.........

.....I'd sneak into work early and replace the sticker with something like "sorry boys, I'm a Lezbo" or "marriage = whatever floats your boat" or "I (heart) the L Word". But I'm a tad crazy, so probably should not take my advice.

[LeVeL_HeAdEd_OnE]

10. You could...

bring it up to HR or your direct supervisor. You could also try politely informing the person that the sticker makes you uncomfortable and ask them to take it down. You only deserve respect if you act in kind. If your co-worker doesn't respect your feelings, it's on them. Don't be too quick to prejudge her just because she is a "fundie." Of course, this will only work if you are truly interested in preserving your "working relationship" and wish to promote mutual respect. If not, then by all means put up your own jingo-on-a-sticker or go straight to HR and make a federal case out of it.

[gbate]

11. This is what I'm struggling with.

I'm not judging her. This is a pattern with both of my co-workers. They listen to religious radio stations in the office and feel free to bring up potentially controversial topics of discussion all the time. I have had to bite my tongue now for months. Otherwise, they are OK to work with and I do not want to destroy the working relationship. I do want to promote mutual respect, but I don't think I should have to put up with this kind of thing constantly. Since I've posted this, I have thought a lot about the reasons behind putting up such a thing in a workplace, and the only thing I can think of is just sheer ignorance. This co-worker is not confrontational at all, at least not outwardly. I'm definitly not going to make a federal case about it, but what I really wanted was some kind of protocol for dealing with this situation.

[LeVeL_HeAdEd_OnE]

12. I respect your thoughtful-ness (is that a word?)...

you are obviously devoting much time to trying to sort this situation out. Another explanation for their behavior may simply be that they, like so many people nowadays, are barely aware of the world outside their bubble, or personal space. Or what I prefer to call it: "Head-Up-Butt Syndrome". If your co-workers are decent, reasonable folks then there is no reason to think they won't be reasonable if you respectfully state your concerns to them. Give it a try. If they respond like asses, then unload on them with both barrels. ;)

EDIT: I hope it works out for you.