Gays and Straights in the Work Force: Tolerance for Other Viewpoints

The Rugherford Institute ^ | 8 December 2003 | John W. Whitehead

[Lorianne]

In January 2001, Buonanno, an employee of AT&T, was handed a new AT&T Broadband Employee Handbook and asked to sign an “Acknowledgment of Receipt and Certificate of Understanding.” The certificate stated, in part, “I agree to follow the policies, rules and regulations contained in the handbook and to abide by any revisions made to them in the future.”

Upon reviewing the 84-page handbook, however, Buonanno — a Christian with biblically based beliefs regarding homosexuality — found several parts to which he could not in good conscience conform. On page 6, in the section titled “Diversity,” the handbook stated: “Each person at AT&T Broadband is charged with the responsibility to fully recognize, respect and value the differences among all of us.” On page 67, the company gave sexual orientation protected status.

For Buonanno, to acknowledge respect for a lifestyle that he believes to be sinful would be a compromise of his faith and a contradiction of the Bible’s views on homosexuality. So Buonanno notified his supervisor that — based on his religious beliefs — he could not sign the certificate of understanding. Buonanno added, however, that he had no problem declaring he would neither discriminate against nor harass people who were different from him, including homosexuals. He simply wanted to remain true to his faith and do his job.

AT&T’s response was typical of many politically correct establishments. The company gave Buonanno two choices: sign the certificate or be fired. Though his religious beliefs should have been accommodated in some fashion, his employment was terminated.

[RLK]

“I agree to follow the policies, rules and regulations contained in the handbook and to abide by any revisions made to them in the future.”

----------------------

That such demands are made upon me are an imposition which is intolerable.

[Joee]

Tolerance?? To wards Queers ------ I have none! They are an active part in the destruction of our society. You do not bargain with Satan!

[ScotchBible]

The man's suggested solution to the problem (...agreeing not to discriminate or harass) seems reasonable. At&T's response was ridiculous. I wish I could cancel my wireless service to protest... but I'm locked In for a few more months! :-(

[steve-b]

How many times need it be explained that the First Amendment applies to the government, not to private individuals and business enterprises?

[DefCon]

"... respect and value the differences among all of us..."
- - -
thats just capital B and capital S

I hate lots of people and I feel good about it.
Some people just need to be hated, its a known fact.
But, then hey, all those broadband guys,
they can't even hate me for feeling this way,
they have to respect and value me,
because after all they signed an agreement.

[truth_seeker]

In about 1976 I was promoted, and upon acceptance was told my first duty was to get rid of one employee--a flambouyant homosexual.

His work and attendance were inconsistent. Although not then, I might now recognize his behavior to perhaps indicate drug usage.

I told my superiors that I wished to fire him for performance, not homosexuality. His performance was sufficiently poor, to support his termination, and he agreed he should be fired.

The point I'm making is that it hasn't been "okay" to hassle people, for sexual orientation, for quite some time.

That particular company might be considered conservative, and yet there were some individuals in supervisory and management positions, which I believe were gay men.

There was some giggling about it, but the company apparently judged them on performance.

[Urbane_Guerilla]

Um ... good post. It demonstrates what conservatives need to learn about life.

“Each person at AT&T Broadband is charged with the responsibility to fully recognize, respect and value the differences among all of us.” On page 67, the company gave sexual orientation protected status.

No one was asked to approve of homosexuality, nor abandon beliefs about the sinfulness of homosexuality. Homosexuals, it appears, were bound to recognize, respect and value the differences they had with those who regarded homosexuality as sinful.

In other words ... in the context of the workplace, let us all treat each other as fellow human beings. The way Jesus might advocate.

[Dinsdale]

Simple solution when presented with unreasonable NDA, Non-competes etc. Just scraw 'Don't Agree' on the signature line and hand it back to the HR drone.
They never check.

[HitmanLV]

I would have just quit - I never understand how people could work for people who are so tyrranical.

[Drango]

'Don't Agree' on the signature line and hand it back to the HR drone. They never check.

LOL...Yeah but what do I do with my United Way form? They always ask for a dollar amount along with a signature.

[AnAmericanMother]

Better yet - if there are specific portions with which you disagree but you're o.k. with the rest, draw a line through the offending portion, initial and date, and sign on the dotted line (keep a copy.)

Even if they check the signature line, they will NEVER check page by page!

[greydog]

Each person at AT&T Broadband is charged with the responsibility to fully recognize, respect and value the differences among all of us.” On page 67, the company gave sexual orientation protected status

I recognize, respect and value dogshit because when I recognize it I respectfully don't step in it, and value the fact that I didn't.

[JoJo Gunn]

Kodak didn't respect Rolf Szabo's rights either.

And I'll do all in my power to never touch anything of Kodak's again.

[sarasmom]

Claim religious exemption from donating to United Way, if they ask.
Document any requests that request/demand you donate.
Sue their buts off for forced political donations.
You can "just say no".
The company socialist HRC specialist is not the CEO.
You might be pleasently surprised if you notify the CEO of your situation.

[mathurine]

Notice, however, that ATT stock has nose-dived to the point where it reminds a person of the penny stocks of depression times; and though AT&T&A&T &c may be leaders in the political correctness market, they really suck in the stock market, perhaps because of squishy leadership and too many resources devoted to being pc.

[mlmr]

There is a big difference between tolerating homosexuality and being respectful of an individiual as a human being, and VALUING the differences.

[DefCon]

Well, zero IS a dollar amount.
I go through it every year at work.
They send out the cards, I put down zero, sign it, and turn it in.
Even United Way says on their web site that they do not promote intimidation
to get employees to contribute.
One year I printed that out and hung it in a prominent
place in the breakroom.
I have alwo been known to print out news stories
about United Way corruption and bad practices
and leave them around for folks to educate themselves.
Now there are maybe 7 or 8 of 'us' that I know of
(out of about 500) that donate 'zero' dollar amount every year.
Ah, a grass roots movement.
Viva La Revolution !

[Lorianne]

You're right of course. Employers can encroach on free expression all they want.