How would you address this issue, just be quiet?

[yy4me]

I work in a small NE town. Small company. Five employees here, two in a southern state. Not often but enough to "tick me off" I receive e-mails from the southern contingent that are religious in nature, damning to all those who do not believe and requesting us to forward them to friends.

Maybe I'm thin skinned but I don't want these e-mails but I certainly cannot block sender. There is no way that I can think of to say anything because they already think I'm an opinionated Yankee.

I don't have to be reminded to pray for ***, support the troops etc. I will give my support to the poor soldiers sent overseas by the stupidest man alive but no way I'd pray for ****.

Their e-mails are usually long, flag and cross strewn. I do not want to upset those to whom this is an OK thing to do but, to me, it is not.

Perhaps this happens to everyone...and no big deal... but I am afraid one of them will bring up one of the e-mails and ...oops...I deleted it!

[Raven]

1. Maybe email them and tell them that you do not want to be

on their list for this kind of mail because you use this email address for business matters only.

[DrDan]

2. I think this is one of those times that deleting without further action is the proper path

We probably both agree that the work environment is not the place to use resources on such topics. That probably applies to expressing dissatisfaction over getting emails of this type. So I would ignore the emails - delete them - not talk about them.

I think you are doing the right thing.

[PDJane]

3. I have to admit that I would gently, but firmly,

point out that I don't wish to receive these emails, although I am quite sure that they are sincerely sent.

You should be able to block these emails by keyword, however.

[sam sarrha]

8. sincerity isn't necessarily a virtue, the Nazi's were very sincere about spreading genocide..

[Love Bug]

4. Are they emailing this stuff using their work emails?

I'm assuming you don't have a Human Resources dept to handle these kinds of issues. Perhaps the Big Boss can send out a request that the work email should be for just that -- work emails, and not for personal use? Can you ask each individual sending these to restrict their emails to you to work-related subjects? Sorry I don't have a better solution than that. I'm fortunate that I work for a larger company with guidelines regarding email usage.

[lpbk2713]

5. There's a way you could truthfully tell them you're praying for ***.

You could pray that he doesn't fuggup any more than he has already.

That he doesn't cause any more death and destruction.

And that the damage he has done can be repaired quickly by the new Obama Administration.

[Saphire]

6. I had sort of the same thing...only it was her Christian e-mails. I sent

one reply telling her I was an atheist, and didn't appreciate her e-mails, and to please take me off her list. No further problems(or e-mails).

[sam sarrha]

10. since i moved to the south i have been fired 3 times because I'm a Buddhist, a book in my lunch bag,...

Free Tibet bumper sticker, and a book not showing in my coat hung at work..

this isn't California anymore

[Fumesucker]

7. I'd save every email

And I would start sending out ultra liberal emails of my own.. Guaranteed they will complain about that and then you pull out the emails you have saved..

In a company that small, why not just go straight to the owner/manager with your complaints, these people are clearly wasting company time?

[sam sarrha]

9. save and delete, without reading.. if it had work related info, say you delete all non work related

emails, then retrieve the email and hand it in.. that ill probably end it putting the blame on the perp

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Sadly, I get a ton of those as well....

I ignore the type you speak of, but do a "reply all" when there is a need to debunk lies and rumors. That stuff spreads like wildfire.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. It really depends on the company dynamic and email content

If telling these folks you don't want their emails will cost you your job or a promotion, simply delete. However, if the email is obnoxious and full of falsehoods, I think you can answer them in such a way that will make them stop the practice. Here's a case in point:

A friend of mine sent me an email saying that the Federal Government ruled that crosses couldn't be displayed on federal property--and how stupid this was because federal cemeteries are strewn with crosses. My reply was very polite, and worded in a way so that the person would understand that I was earnestly trying to correct an error in logic and fact that was contained in the email. I pointed out that the rulings against religious symbols were in regards to specific places--courthouses, etc--and then went on to explain the Establishment Clause. I then cited an example of a non-Christian going to the courthouse displaying a cross to testify at a trial and how that person might wonder if his testimony would carry any weight or be given equal consideration. I concluded by telling the person that the US military cemeteries do not have only crosses in them--I've seen photos of the cemeteries in Normandy with Star of David markers, and I know that the US military offers many different styles of tombstones for deceased soldiers. Anyway, we've kept our friendship, and she hasn't mailed me anything political like this again.

Hope this helps.