Workplace Rant
Posted by humboldt_honey on Mar 11, 2008 · Member since Feb 2007 · 12529 posts
Today at work we were learning how to use a new expense claim system. A woman who works in the office where the claims are processed was there to train us. We were talking about dietary exceptions. For example, if food is included in the registration cost of a seminar and a person can't eat the food because they are, say, diabetic, they can recover the cost of their meals in addition to the registration fee. However, I can't because being vegan is a "choice" and I could easily eat whatever meat is provided. My wise and quick-actioned coworker immediately guided me out of the room.
Wow, that's ridiculous! What about religious restrictions? Could someone who is Jewish or Muslim get reimbursed if there were no Kosher or Halal options? I bet they could even though religion is a "choice" and they could also easily eat whatever. However, somehow religious reasons are justified but ethical opposition/health reasons aren't acceptable. That's B.S. >:(
We discussed that. Religious choices are okay, too. >:(
I'd take this issue up w/ HR.....Because after an extended period of time, it does become a medical necessity to have meatless food.... You could get real sick because your body has stopped producing the enzymes needed to digest it!! In other words, it stops becoming a "matter of choice". Under this reasoning, it could also be considered discrimination of "lifestyle choice". So yeah, I'd definitely talk to HR about it.
Don't just talk, write a formal letter. Not just an email, a letter on paper. Oh yeah, do it on your computer so you have a copy, but a physical letter often has more impact. Write and ask for an appointment to discuss the realities of your "choice" on your body's needs. This gives you a chance to semi-state your case already.
Make up a religion & say you follow it & it doesn't allow you to eat any animal byproducts? Veganism should be considered a religion. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism_and_religion
you could say you're a quaker! we believe in total non violence, and eating meat is certainly violent.
but that sucks, really. blegh. so this means at conferences you have to pay for your own food?
"religion" is actually a very open-ended term, and you don't even need to be specific about what religion you are. i know you can claim this when it comes to not getting kids vaccinated-a religious exemption and they can't drill you about it. FIGHT IT MAN!!!
that is really unfair. I agree with those who have suggested writing a formal complaint. And I also agree that ethical veganism can be a religion. For some it can be an extension of an existing religion (budhist do no harm, quakers nonviolent, etc...) but it seems it can almost stand alone too. fight it. I mean really, its not the few dollars for the meal that matter anyways right? its the unfairness of it! Who are they to decide such things as who can eat the meals and who cannot. i mean, I can see where they would get into people wanting refunds because they don't "like" the meal options, but seeing as you have established a lifestyle on this...that should be considered
I second the urging to write a formal on paper letter to your manager and cc'ing HR. There are enough anti-discrimination laws to protect you from this.
Also should the evil training person not think so it doesn't matter unless she is the person approving your expense reports. If she is just some peon and your manager is find with you filing just like someone say Religiously against the eating of meat then do so. And if they give you hell, it IS part of your religion.
I'm certainly not done with this issue, especially since if I didn't become vegan I was going to have to take cholestrol-reducing pills. In my mind, pills mask symptoms, they don't treat the root cause. Veganism, for me, is in part treatment of a medical condition. I don't see how that's different from someone who's diabetic.
About the religious aspect: In 2002, the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal ruled that veganism is not a "religious creed." If I exhaust my resources, I'll become Hindu - a recognized religion, but exercising that option may be insulting to Hindus so I'll avoid it as long as possible.
Also should the evil training person not think so it doesn't matter unless she is the person approving your expense reports.
That's exactly who she is. :(
Ok, since she is The Man (*snicker snicker*) then its time to review the options.
This should be considered a "Medical" issue and she is not allowed to discriminate any more than if you were deathly allergic to shellfish and the event hosted a 'shrimp boil'. (After 4 years of living in TN and listening to my then coworker you pronounce boil as bowl. haha)
Ok comedy aside, I doubt any Hindu would mind if you nestled under their religion to be free of carnivore oppression.
But I think upchannelling this to your boss and eventually her boss would be ideal.
Fight it. That's bullshit
Call me a child of the 60's, but could you call the ACLU on this one? Surely the right to eat vegan and be healthy as a result is a civil liberty!!
OK, I'll slip back into my Shakespeare-induced coma...
;D We need a "free yourself from carnivore oppression" tees.
;D We need a "free yourself from carnivore oppression" tees.
hahah I would wear that Tshirt, but do I get royalties from it? ;)
oh, i would be sooo mad.
i mean, pacifist me would probably punch someone.
On the Canadian census if more than 2000 (i think it's 2000) people list the same thing under "religion -- other" then it's considered a religion. A few years back a bunch of folks were trying to get 2000 people to list "Jedi" as their religion. I'm sure there are at least 2000 vegans in Canada willing to list Vegan as their religion!
If I were you I'd just expense the vegan meal and if anyone questions you about it just look them dead in the eye and say "I had to get a special meal for RELIGIOUS reasons don't HARASS me about it" Then raise a stink if they give you a hard time about it.
K
How does agnosticism fit in with the whole religion/vegan thing--I concider myself an agnostic (and by that I'm basically saying I belive that a higher being(s) may have created the universe and that there is a prospect of an after life, but I am open minded to other possibilities as well--I don't have th answer, and no one yet has been able to provide me with one I can 100% agree with)...anyways--can you possibly say that due to your agnostic beliefs you are a vvegan? maybe that would allow you to use the religion card without borrowing anyones religion you're not 100% into.
Call me a child of the 60's, but could you call the ACLU on this one? Surely the right to eat vegan and be healthy as a result is a civil liberty!!
OK, I'll slip back into my Shakespeare-induced coma...
oh goodness....that was beautiful...I guess sometime you gotta work WITH the system.
I am so making a
;D We need a "free yourself from carnivore oppression" tees.
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