The conflict between religious beliefs and workplace ethics played out at Capital Express Global Trustees Limited, Lagos on Thursday when a young lawyer was forced to resign from his appointment following his refusal to participate in the compulsory daily 20-minute morning devotion in the office.
Although nothing in Unique Eke’s appointment letter spelt out certain religious regulations every staff member must abide by, nor was he informed by other means at the time of his employment that refusal to comply with the company’s unwritten religious policy could cost him his job, Eke was instructed by the company’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Obaleke Olufemi to tender his resignation since he (Eke) maintained that his religious belief restrains him from participating in the morning devotion.
Trouble began for the now ex-Trust Associate, a Jehovah’s Witness on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, when he was summoned to the office of the GMD accompanied by other top staff members Mr. Olufemi Kalejaiye and Mrs. Oyinposola Akinsulie.
After expressing his annoyance over Eke’s continual absence at the morning devotion, stressing that it is intrinsic to the organisation’s ideology, he advised Eke to tender his resignation immediately if he could not comply with the policy.
On being summoned again by the GMD on Thursday, Eke’s moves to explain how the policy conflicts with his personal convictions as well as his request for some time to consider the directive was refused as Mr. Olufemi insisted on a letter of resignation by 9:00 a.m. on of the same day.
A part of his resignation letter of November 14, 2024, reads:
“Further to the directives of Mr. Obaleke Olufemi, the General Managing Director, I hereby tender my resignation from the employment of Capital Express Global Trustees Limited as a Trust Associate.
“On November 13, 2024, at about 8:15 a.m., Mr. Olufemi, in the company of Mr. Olufemi Kalejaiye and Mrs. Oyinposola Akinsulie, expressed disgust at my exercise of the right to be excluded from the office morning devotion, a religious activity which I chose not to participate in. He thereafter directed me to submit my resignation, effective immediately.
“On November 14, 2024, at about 8:00 a.m., I met with Mr. Olufemi in an attempt to explain the reason for my refusal to participate in the religious activity. After our discussion, he reaffirmed his earlier directive and advised me to comply with it on or before 9:00 a.m.
“Notwithstanding the above, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked here. Thank you…”
Interestingly however, Eke got an email from the company stating that his services were no longer required as his “performance” had been found “to be grossly below acceptance levels.”
This development has led some public affairs analysts to question whether a premium should be placed on competence or certain religious practices or both in organisations.
