Religion in the Workplace

Slide 1:Religion in the Workplace

Nischint Manelkar Ben Kufuor Nina Highsmith Chun Lau

Slide 2:What is the Controversy?

People are bringing their religious beliefs and practices into the workplace

Slide 3:How is Religion Brought into Work

Wearing distinctive religious clothing or jewelry such as yarmulkes, turbans, and head scarves Engaging in religious discussions, group prayers, or bible studies during work day Bringing religious articles or books into office and discussing them with colleagues Asking for some time during the work day to fulfill one�s religious obligations

Slide 4:Completely Legal

Integrating religion into a work setting is protected by law Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964 1st Amendment to U.S. Constitution

Slide 5:Individual Freedom

Home away from Home Greater degree of comfort

Slide 6:Productivity and Motivation

Greater worker satisfaction breeds enhanced productivity Employees become more motivated to work hard

Slide 7:Growth in Religious Diversity and What it Means for Companies

The number of different religions is growing at an exponential rate People with different religions will be working together

Slide 8:Acceptance and Toleration

Promotes discourse between people of different faiths Increased toleration of a diverse work force

Slide 9:Federal Guidelines states that agencies:

should permit personal religious expression to the greatest extent possible, but workplace efficiency should not be sacrificed employees must be allowed to wear religious garb (such as a cross, yarmulke, or Muslim headcovering) as long as it does not pose a safety risks employees may discuss religion with other employees but must stop when an employee objects supervisor may speak to employees about religion, but not in a coercive way <http:bsr.org>

Slide 10:Discrepancies with the Guidelines

Can be interpreted in multiple ways Aren�t specific Creates misunderstandings that lead to complaints ] As of 1991, religious discrimination complaints to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have risen dramatically, up to 50% and continues to increase each year.

Slide 11:Major Religions of the WorldRanked by Number of Adherents

Religion 2001 Est. Adult Pop. Christianity 159,030,000 Nonreligious/Secular 27,539,000 Judaism 2,831,000 Islam 1,104,000 Buddhism 1,082,000 Agnostic 991,000 Atheist 902,000 Hinduism 766,000 Unitarian Universalist 629,000 Wiccan/Pagan/Druid 307,000 Spiritualist 116,000 Native American Religion 103,000 Baha'I 84,000 New Age 68,000 Sikhism 57,000 Scientology 55,000 Humanist 49,000 Deity (Deist) 49,000 Taoist 40,000 Eckankar 26,000 Top Twenty Religions in the United States, 2001

Slide 12:How Religion Affects the Entire Company

Provisions would be cost : *flexible scheduling *specific religious food needs *training of managers to become more aware of the different kinds of religions Exceptions built in for religious workers may affect their collective bargaining powers Most importantly, feel it might undermine their seniority

Slide 13:Workplace ethics Discrimination defined The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines discrimination as �any distinction, exclusion, or preference made on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, or social origin which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation� Quote taken from an article in Business for Social Responsibility, �Issues and Briefs,� by the BSR staff Allowing the workplace to become a sort of open ground for religious discussions, religious gatherings, and religious belongings, will turn the workplace away from what it should be. Workers should be focusing on productivity and efficiently getting the job done, rather than preaching gospels to one another. Religion causes problems, due in part to their being no claim on any one religion. No religion is the �true� or right choice, and each religion has been the cause for major historical wars or terrorism. Religion is said to be a �double edged sword� for a reason. Religious Discussions can divide groups of people, forcing participants to �take a side� or, in other words, leave an individual feeling the obligation to stand up for their religious beliefs. Open forums on religion will likely arise, and turn into attacking sessions, as each person will likely focus on destroying the moral framework and culture of a person, through religion. This happens unintentionally, as people try to defend their side, and will begin to promote intolerance. This is unhealthy for any company, as the work environment will become tense and uncomfortable. Religion always finds a way to make others feel discriminated against. Since religion becomes the framework for which a person builds their life, it is believed so deeply, that many will try to disassociate themselves with those who feel differently from them! If religion is openly spread throughout the workplace, imagine how unlikely it will be to find a Christian, Atheist, and Religious cult member to have lunch together in the break room? It will likely divide these groups and religion may be the factor, which encourages them to feel uncomfortable around each other, all because of their belief. Allowing the workplace to become a sort of open ground for religious discussions, religious gatherings, and religious belongings, will turn the workplace away from what it should be. Workers should be focusing on productivity and efficiently getting the job done, rather than preaching gospels to one another. Religion causes problems, due in part to their being no claim on any one religion. No religion is the �true� or right choice, and each religion has been the cause for major historical wars or terrorism. Religion is said to be a �double edged sword� for a reason. Religious Discussions can divide groups of people, forcing participants to �take a side� or, in other words, leave an individual feeling the obligation to stand up for their religious beliefs. Open forums on religion will likely arise, and turn into attacking sessions, as each person will likely focus on destroying the moral framework and culture of a person, through religion. This happens unintentionally, as people try to defend their side, and will begin to promote intolerance. This is unhealthy for any company, as the work environment will become tense and uncomfortable. Religion always finds a way to make others feel discriminated against. Since religion becomes the framework for which a person builds their life, it is believed so deeply, that many will try to disassociate themselves with those who feel differently from them! If religion is openly spread throughout the workplace, imagine how unlikely it will be to find a Christian, Atheist, and Religious cult member to have lunch together in the break room? It will likely divide these groups and religion may be the factor, which encourages them to feel uncomfortable around each other, all because of their belief.

Slide 14:The workplace is not a church Religion causes disturbances and distraction Religious discussions bring about discrimination

Slide 15:The Model Work Environment Keep personal life separate Respect each other Here are some simple tips for having an enjoyable work environment Employees should always treat religion as their personal life, and not invite others to participate into it on work time. While at work, workers should be concentrating on accomplishing work tasks and completing common goals. I�m all for freedom of expression/speech, but when it comes to religion expression/speech in the workplace, it should be limited. Religious belongings should not be allowed in the workplace, because it can cause workers to feel threatened or discriminated against. For example, if you were a religious, and believed in God whole heartedly, how would you feel if you passed by a group of co-workers desks, where each had a sign displaying �Who needs God but losers?� Think about it. Workers should always respect one another and be compassionate, never to the point where it is offensive or makes a co-worker feel uncomfortable and hostile towards one another. Here are some simple tips for having an enjoyable work environment Employees should always treat religion as their personal life, and not invite others to participate into it on work time. While at work, workers should be concentrating on accomplishing work tasks and completing common goals. I�m all for freedom of expression/speech, but when it comes to religion expression/speech in the workplace, it should be limited. Religious belongings should not be allowed in the workplace, because it can cause workers to feel threatened or discriminated against. For example, if you were a religious, and believed in God whole heartedly, how would you feel if you passed by a group of co-workers desks, where each had a sign displaying �Who needs God but losers?� Think about it. Workers should always respect one another and be compassionate, never to the point where it is offensive or makes a co-worker feel uncomfortable and hostile towards one another.

Slide 16:Conclusion What about atheists? Special considerations? IMPOSSIBLE Hardly ever a win-win situation Separate religion and work