Halloween is typically a fun time for workplaces to get creative with decor or even costumes, when management permits. And while Reddit user Puck says their Oregon company had a Halloween dress-up last year, this year the CEO formally informed everyone that things were different. What Puck found even more frustrating was how leadership conveyed this new rule to everyone: through an alleged 5-page sermonette.
“We dressed up last year without any issue. This year we get a guilt trip and a sermon,” OP groaned in their r/mildlyinfuriating post. In the post’s screenshot, the email the CEO allegedly sent out contains Bible verses and an urge for others to follow the Christian faith and such. Puck clarifies that they didn’t share the full email, including the part that explicitly bans Halloween costumes, for privacy reasons.
Thousands of people in the comments collectively were averse to the CEO’s approach with this year’s dress-up ban. There’s nothing illegal for a private company’s leader to carry out a workplace policy regarding what people wear. However, many found this CEO’s method and ‘preachiness’ to be too pretentious and obnoxious.
“Once again, we see Christians pushing their beliefs on others,” sighed a commenter. “This has been a trend recently. bible thumpers denouncing halloween as either pagan or satanic,” remarked another. “I’d quit over this,” declared a third. “I could not work at a company that put their personal beliefs above their employees,” added a fourth.
OP Is Employed in a Faith-Led Organization
It should be noted that Puck has yet to explain what their CEO meant by being a “faith-led” company in the email. It’s also not mentioned who the CEO “legally checked” with about pushing his Christian values on others or whether it was a joke. That said, a good number of people criticized OP, saying that they brought this sort of “toxicity” on themselves by choosing to work there.
In the end, as long as the CEO doesn’t discriminate against any employee based on religion, he isn’t doing anything unlawful by banning Halloween costumes. However, as one commenter points out, one has to wonder: “What if you dress up as Jesus?”
