Letter to the Editor

First and foremost, I want to express that I do not have any kind of enmity towards my coworkers nor the people below me.

I told you that I would tell you if I was not fine.  So as not to render myself a liar, I am sending you this correspondence.  When we spoke last Thursday and yesterday, I wasn't really sure how I felt and am still not entirely sure but will do my best to illiterate my feelings on the subject.

As far as work ethic and work performance, I have made all decisions in fairness and have always taken actions as I have seen fit only for the best interest of the company and never for my own intentions or motives.  I have only behaved professionally at work.  For example, I passionately believe pork is an abomination.  But I cook, serve, and even promote pork products within stores (bacon wrapped chicken skewers, corn dogs, sausage, etc).  I passionately believe catfish and pangasius are both abominations.  But I cook, serve, and endorse them within stores, as well.  I even voluntarily promoted some of these items via facebook.  If offered, I politely decline and say I don't eat them without explanation.  If pushed, I will provide that it is for religious reasons.  I believe that xmas is a ridiculously wicked pagan holiday but I watch register in my stores for them to have an xmas party.  I don't discourage them from decorating.  I make them treat their employees fairly for those days.  And I volunteer to work extra so others don't have to.  I went to the xmas party and said nothing to anybody about my feelings about xmas and was discreet about dodging the return of many awkward holiday wishes either by distraction or feigned deafness.  I was both professional and respectful.  Even when the food I had ordered turned out to have bacon in it, I politely and inconspicuously pushed it to the side and continued on.

As for religion on my Facebook, my Facebook is in no way linked to the corporate Facebook nor to that of the stores.  My Facebook does not reflect employment and I don't discuss nor refer to work.  In fact, there are very few pictures even linking my Facebook to me and those would require some "creeping," or online stalking, meaning that an adult willingly sought the content of my Facebook.  Other adults on my Facebook were given the warning or disclaimer that my Facebook is personal and not business related.  While the twisted American court system may side with your right to curb my freedom of speech, I neither ethically nor morally agree with the decision.  I understand your fears of how it may reflect on the company, but I feel they are unjustified.  By removing the only social connection I did have with select coworkers, I feel as though you have successfully built the very wall you were seeking to destroy.   I know that there is a "division" between me and others and there always will be as scripture commands the "set-apartness" of Israel.  I diligently seek to conceal this in the work environment by focusing on current tasks and productivity, it does not however change the compassion I do feel towards coworkers and the Jordan's "family."  And while I may understand your personal objections to some of my posts, I don't feel that they are in any way rude or inappropriate as you expressed, as I am careful to word them in the most politically correct way possible while still conveying my point.

I feel like by you asking me to call the Holy Days vacation days, you are asking me to lie because I work extra on other days to make up the hours of the ones that I missed.

I have compromised a lot of things in my relationship with Jordan's in exchange for what I mistook as respect and, I guiltily must admit, partially for fleshly fear of rejection, such as hats for headcoverings in an attempt to be "professional" though they do not coincide with the Greek word "katakalupto" translated as "cover" in 1 Corinthians 11.  While both the seventh day sabbath and feasts bar any form of work (even cooking on most), I have diligently answered my phone day and night, even postponing worship services and such for even the most trivial calls, many of which most would likely politely be postponed if I did not conceal many of my beliefs so as not to reflect illy on the company.  I have rationalized myself away from convictions such as the keeping of New Moon as a sabbath (The next one on a weekday is Dec 23 btw).

I have appreciated and do appreciate all of the things you have done for me, such as time off when my husband was sick, allowing me to take off for the Feast Days, for bonuses, free lunches, my cell phone, etc.  I am truly thankful for every opportunity.  

It does not, however, compensate for the hurt and disrespect that I felt after our conversation.  As for retribution, I don't know that it is possible at this time.  I am merely determined to maintain my utmost professionalism while I take the time to reevaluate my thoughts and feelings regarding these matters.