HR Makes A New Rule Because Of Sensitive Karen, Coworker Uses It Against Her

Ideally, the workplace should be a level playing field where everyone has equal opportunities and receives fair treatment, regardless of their background or personal characteristics.

However, Reddit user Celtic_Echo had a colleague who took issue with her beliefs and went above and beyond to ban her from wearing religious symbols.

And things didn’t end there. After getting her way, the woman flaunted her silver cross—until our Redditor found a clever way to turn the tables and get HR on her side.

Our religious beliefs are a huge part of our identity

Woman wearing a religious symbol necklace while using a laptop, demonstrating HR rules related to religious symbols at work.

Image generated by Bored Panda using ChatGPT

So when this woman was attacked for hers at work, she fought back

Woman uses HR rule about religious symbols to defend wearing a pentagram necklace at work against a complaint.

Text describing a woman using HR’s rule about religious symbols against a Karen who found her Christian pendant offensive.

Text discussing a woman using HR’s rule about religious symbols to defend her Pagan beliefs against complaints.

Text describing a woman using HR’s rule about religious symbols against a Karen in an office conflict.

Woman uses HR’s rule about religious symbols to challenge offensive faith expression in the workplace jewelry policy.

Text discussing HR’s rule on religious symbols, questioning why crosses are allowed but pentagrams are not.

Woman using HR’s rule about religious symbols, explaining a point in an office setting during a serious discussion.

Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

Woman uses HR’s rule about religious symbols to defend her pentagram after conflict with Karen at work.

Image source: celtic_echo

Sadly, annoying coworkers are a big part of the office

Image credits: LinkedIn Sales Solutions (not the actual photo)

A recent study by Kickresume surveyed almost 3,000 employees and discovered the main types of annoying colleagues—ranked one to five—where this conduct surfaces, and how employees deal—or wish they dealt—with these issues.

The findings showed that 85% of people have had an annoying coworker, with 58% saying their behaviors significantly affect their productivity.

The researchers found that there are five main types of irritating colleagues:

1. Credit stealer (33%): You put in the hard work, but they take the glory. Credit stealers simply undermine team spirit and create an environment where people feel undervalued. This behavior is not only annoying, but can also create a toxic work environment where nobody feels safe to share innovative ideas.
2. Micromanager (32%): Most of us probably know that one person who just can’t let go and constantly hovers over your work. It’s hard to feel capable and motivated when someone is always second-guessing your every move. This kind of oversight often leads to resentment and can take a serious toll on productivity.
3. Chronic complainer (30%): It surely looks like every team has that one person who can find a downside to even the best situations. Chronic complainers drain energy and positivity. Their constant negativity can become infectious, spreading gloom and lowering overall morale.
4. Personal space intruder (30%): Who doesn’t value their personal space, especially in a busy office environment? Personal space intruders disrupt that sense of privacy and comfort. Whether they’re hovering over your desk or listening in on private conversations, their behavior can make the workplace feel stressful and intrusive.
5. Lunch thief (27%): It’s hard to believe that some coworkers actually help themselves to their colleagues’ food. But the lunch thief doesn’t just take your meal—they steal your trust and peace of mind. This inconsiderate behavior forces everyone to be more guarded, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and frustration. The sheer audacity of swiping someone else’s lunch makes the lunch thief a particularly galling presence in the workplace.

According to the survey, 62% of respondents face annoying coworkers directly in the office, but written communication, such as emails and Slack messages, is also a significant source of annoyance for 44% of employees. What’s more, annoying coworkers can creep into your life even more by making bothersome phone calls (37%).

When faced with annoying behavior, the majority of people (32%)  prefer to distance themselves from the culprit. At 17%, the bolder ones choose to directly ask the person to stop, and another 12% choose to vent to other coworkers, perhaps seeking solidarity or just a sympathetic ear.

Surprisingly, only 12% actually report the behavior to a manager or HR, while 9% admit to getting passive-aggressive themselves. As unpleasant as it was, at least the author of the post managed to sort everything out.

People were glad to learn the lady got what was coming to her

Person shares story about wearing religious symbols at a hotel, highlighting HR’s rule and a confrontation with a coworker.

Text post about a woman using HR’s rule on religious symbols to challenge a coworker over necklace policies.

Comment about HR rule on religious symbols and discrimination in a workplace discussion forum post.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment referencing a woman using HR’s religious symbols rule against a Karen in an online discussion.

Comment discussing HR’s rules on religious symbols, highlighting risks of banning a pentagram at work.

Comment about a woman using HR’s rule on religious symbols shared in an online discussion thread.

Comment text on a social platform discussing religion and workplace HR rules with informal language and slang.

Text comment discussing a woman using HR’s rule about religious symbols against a Karen who started the issue.

Comment discussing wearing a giant snuggie and a pentagram, referencing religious symbols and HR rules.

Comment about woman using HR’s rule on religious symbols to challenge a Karen, praising her response and story.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment quoting Bill Hicks about religious symbols, related to HR’s rule on religious symbols.

Screenshot of a discussion about a woman using HR’s rule on religious symbols to challenge a complaint involving a Karen.

Comment about pasta strainer headdress questioning if it is offensive, referencing woman using HR’s religious symbols rule.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing bias and persecution related to HR’s rule about religious symbols.

Comment discussing an ancient Sumerian religious symbol, older than the Bible, related to HR’s rule on religious symbols.

Comment saying well played about woman using HR’s rule on religious symbols, discussing fairness among religions in a workplace context.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing HR’s rule about religious symbols and employee complaints involving a pentagram and cross.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing wearing a large pentagram as a religious symbol at work in an HR context.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment describing a retail worker using HR’s rule on religious symbols against a complaining customer.

Reddit comment discussing religious symbols, HR rules, and controversies involving book bans and Christian practices.

Text post discussing HR’s rule about religious symbols, mentioning the pentagram as a Christian symbol and criticizing a Karen.

Text of online comment about a woman using HR’s rule on religious symbols to challenge authority, threatening legal action.

Comment from user NicoleBosley81 supporting Christian faith and criticizing others' behavior regarding religious symbols in HR rules discussion.

Comment about religious freedom and HR’s rule on religious symbols defending rights in a modern context.

Text post showing a comment about a woman using HR rules on religious symbols against the Karen who started it.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing religious symbols and their controversial interpretation in HR policies.

Comment discussing wearing a large religious symbol, relating to HR’s rule about religious symbols and a Karen incident.

Comment explaining US discrimination laws and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act related to religious symbols in HR policies.

Comment on religious discrimination in HR policies, highlighting tension over religious symbols and workplace rules.

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