“Onionhead” teaches people to direct their emotions in a truthful and compassionate way.
It is central to the teachings of the Harnessing Happiness Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to emotional knowledge and intelligence, conflict resolution, and life handling skills.
Onionhead is also central to a religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC against United Health Programs of America and its parent, Cost Containment Group. The aunt of the defendants’ CEO is the creator of Onionhead.
He is 100 percent correct. If you’re thinking of holding a prayer meeting, conducting spiritual discussions or rituals, or doing anything else remotely related to religion at your company, don’t. Religion has no place at work. Your intentions may be absolutely pure. Your employees however, have the unfettered right to practice the religion of their choice, or not to practice any religion at all.
Whatever you call your deity — God, Jesus, Jehovah, Jehovah, Allah, Buddah, Krishna … or even Onionhead—leave it at home. The workplace and religion do not mix. An employer cannot force its employees to conform to, follow, or practice, the employer’s chosen religious practices and beliefs. Anything different violates Title VII.