Can you discriminate on religion when hiring a caregiver

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most employers are smart enough to state what they want done, and the people who naturally are most enthusiastic about it are the ones who have the same values.

Ex: We want a nanny who will say grace before meals, read specific religious books to our children, agree not to read books about xyz topic that violates our religion and take our children to Sunday school, confirmation class and/or other religious classes or services. Naturally, the nanny most enthusiastic about doing these is one who likely identifies as Christian, and most likely shares their denomination.

And you know what? That's illegal in DC.

Are you sure? I think the example in the OP is definitely against DC law, but the example PP gives? Trying to whittle down the applicant pool by describing the tasks?

Is that different than if I advertised "Two mom family seeking local nanny" in the hopes that it would discourage homophobes?

Yeah, the pp before the last pp was dead wrong. It would not be illegal to require the nanny to say grace, read religious books. It would be illegal to require the nanny to carry out those practices or hold the beliefs in his/her personal life.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Someone on our local facebook page has posted for a "Christian" nanny. This rubs me the wrong way - are you allowed to discriminate like this?

How about “has Christian values”? Does that feel better?

Yes, because the values are objective. Usually expected to honesty, compassion, empathy, etc.

How is that different from a person with Jewish values?

There can be different religious interpretations on what is considered compassionate. In Judaism, an abortion can be considered compassionate. In Catholicism, it is not.

Why would a nanny be talking about abortion with her charges?

Most of the time (99.99+%), they wouldn’t. I work with teen girls, no mother, and I’ve been asked to talk with them about a variety of subjects that most wouldn’t expect.

You’re a nanny who works with teenaged girls? What am I missing here?

The very very obvious reason would be that the teen girls have much younger siblings who need a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on our local facebook page has posted for a "Christian" nanny. This rubs me the wrong way - are you allowed to discriminate like this?

How about “has Christian values”? Does that feel better?

Yes, because the values are objective. Usually expected to honesty, compassion, empathy, etc.

How is that different from a person with Jewish values?

There can be different religious interpretations on what is considered compassionate. In Judaism, an abortion can be considered compassionate. In Catholicism, it is not.

Why would a nanny be talking about abortion with her charges?

Most of the time (99.99+%), they wouldn’t. I work with teen girls, no mother, and I’ve been asked to talk with them about a variety of subjects that most wouldn’t expect.

You’re a nanny who works with teenaged girls? What am I missing here?

1. Younger siblings
2. Parent out-of-state/country for 25+% of time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most employers are smart enough to state what they want done, and the people who naturally are most enthusiastic about it are the ones who have the same values.

Ex: We want a nanny who will say grace before meals, read specific religious books to our children, agree not to read books about xyz topic that violates our religion and take our children to Sunday school, confirmation class and/or other religious classes or services. Naturally, the nanny most enthusiastic about doing these is one who likely identifies as Christian, and most likely shares their denomination.

And you know what? That's illegal in DC.

No, you can certainly require an employee to support your children’s religious education. You can also pick the person who shows the most enthusiasm for it and is most qualified. The only issue is if you pick someone less qualified who fits the criteria you want which violates the law.

You can say "this job will require supporting a Christian religious education through working on materials."

You can't say "I am looking for a Christian nanny."

Don't tell me what I can and can't do, please.

If I'm looking for a Christian nanny, or a Jewish nanny, or a female nanny - or housekeeper -- and I want to state that, it's simply none of your business. You want to sue me, go ahead and try.

NP. Federal/state laws are what are telling you that you can't do this. As for getting sued, if a candidate who was qualified other than one of your protected categories decided to apply and then sue, there would be a legitimate risk that you could get a civil judgment against you. And a court definitely can tell you what to do. (If I saw an advertisement like this and was qualified for the job, I would apply just to give myself a chance to position for a lawsuit.)

I guess your looking for your pay day? Is that why it rubs you the wrong way? Are you qualified if you can’t adopt the values of the family? You sounds like quite the nanny.

Actually I’m an attorney and likely would not be qualified to serve as your nanny. I am qualified to comment on your legal risks, though.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised by this. My grandma is a very devout catholic and we’re hiring another caregiver for her. Most of duties involve just being her friend and being with her. She expects to pray the rosary, go to mass and read the Bible almost daily. I’m not a racist or discriminatory person but we were trying to find someone to be more of a companion to grandma. Preferably a person from a big catholic family.

Catholics really don’t read the Bible and we “say the rosary” not pray the rosary. I’m calling troll.

My grandmother was Irish and Catholic and deeply religious. Her paid caregiver was African and a devout Muslim - and quickly became my grandmother’s best friend. My grandmother loved her. Her caregiver took her to Mass and sat quietly, helping my grandmother to the altar to get communion where the priest would always give the caregiver a blessing.

Even religious schools don’t restrict employment to only teachers and assistants of the school’s religion.

Ridiculous to post for a “Christian nanny”.

DP. I’m AA and Catholic. My elderly mom reads the Bible daily, then attends morning mass, AND prays the Rosary. And, yes, she says pray and not say. And no one I know says “comes to the altar” for going up to receive communion. The only people who receive at the altar are the celebrants and any Eucharistic ministers or altar servers. But I don’t think you are ridiculous. Even within Catholicism, there are minor cultural differences. For example, in my mom’s parish and my parish, elderly communicants are not expected to walk to the front. Rather the Eucharistic minister comes to them.

DP here. My mom is Polish and very devout Catholic and yes, she reads the Bible and uses both "says" and "prays" the Rosary too. Totally agree there are cultural differences within Catholicism. Troll PP is the one who's being ridiculous.