Personally, I think atheists who get their knickers in a knot over stuff like this aren't doing us any favors. It's just an expression for many people, no more religious than "thank God it's Friday," and even if it isn't, what's the harm in it? They're acknowledging gratitude for your work.

It's nice to be appreciated. Congratulations on "kicking butt".

I think the same, like when I sneeze and someone says "Bless you!" I know they're just trying to be nice. I myself try to eradicate religious speech from my habits though. I usually say "Gesundheit!" when someone sneezes, both because it's a common alternative in the area I live in (which has a lot of German heritage) and because it's not religious (it means "health" and if you think it's weird to shout health at someone, then good luck finding a better alternative).

Good for you. Why be obnoxious.

It’s good to recognize the kind thought behind it

Heck I’ve heard plenty of Hindus and Buddhists use god as a colloquialism here in Texas.

Harmless and kind. If that was all religion was about, few would have issue with it.

Religious speak or "god speak" permeates language & even the non-religious use it. Unless someone is uber religious, I dismiss god speak as almost a colloquialism.

Good job. I got a $5 tip yesterday for being nice.

Congrats! It is great that your boss appreciates your hard work!

Great sentiment. No matter your "Beliefs"

Yep, she could be a believer or not. I say thank god and OMG all the time. I feel like it's just "thank the natural order of things" or just an ingrained way of being thankful that would take more effort than its worth to stop doing! Believer or not it's nice that you are appreciated!

She might not be a true believer! Some of us with no religious beliefs at all sometimes still slip into silly ways of talking like 'Thank God it's Friday', and the like. I suppose it is likely to be more significant in the US than the UK, though.

Congrats on being appreciated and the reminder that compliments are a good thing.

You could have responded "I thank Science for you every day too!" haha South Park really had a good one with that reversal of science and god.

she was being nice irrelevant of beliefs.

Why thank God?

Can't just thank you directly?

Congrats though

A good reminder there.

You're a 100% correct .

Her saying "I thank God" amounts to the same thing as my saying "omigod" if I'm startled. Of course, you may know her to be religious person or not, but you didn't make that distinction. In any case, you're right, it seemed she offered you a heartelt compliment.

I agree.
Most of the time they mean it in the best possible way.