ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > November > 27 > Entry
Is religion taboo in the office?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While our religious beliefs and the effects of our spirituality on our daily outlook can be an important part of who we are in our jobs, bringing our religious beliefs to work with us can be a difficult proposition.
What place does religion and spirituality have on the job? I’m not taking a stand either way; I’d just like to know the state of affairs in today’s workplace.
What’s acceptable and what’s “legal” in terms of religion and work? I don’t mean that your actions cannot portray your religious beliefs - actions often speak so much louder than words - I mean when you openly share your beliefs with others in the office or on the job site, what happens? Is this ok?
Sharing beliefs can range from outright proselytizing to just a casual mention in an isolated situation. In today’s workplace sharing beliefs may be either strongly supported or highly discouraged by the leadership of your company or organization. Obviously if you work in a faith-based organization, it’s much easier to be open with your beliefs and share them with co-workers. In other organizations, the effect of sharing your beliefs can range from encouragement to disciplinary actions or outright firing.
To what extent should religion, religious beliefs or spirituality have a place in the workplace? Many people of many faiths find that their spiritual beliefs help them to cope with daily life and make a difference in handling stresses and dealing with others at home and on the job. Spirituality cannot be separated easily from whom we are and how we carry out our job functions.
I’ve seen studies that indicate that seven out of ten people admit that they talk about religion at work. These discussions can range from finer points of religious beliefs and doctrine to ministering to co-workers with personal struggles. Other discussions can involve witnessing and recruiting others to a particular religion or practice.
Obviously, religious discussions at work may be misinterpreted or experienced as discrimination. In September 2005, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Preliminary 9-Month Report found religious discrimination charges increased 3 % from the comparable period of 2004. Whether these complaints are valid or not, the possibility of feeling attacked or discriminated against is there.
In an ideal world, we would hope that the workplace environment would be one of valuing diversity and respect for the beliefs of others. What is the experience of religious discussion or spirituality in your workplace? Does religion or spirituality have a place at work or should we all just avoid the topic at all?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Ryder
November 27, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
As a follower of Jesus (I don’t use the term Christian) I believe that there is a time and a place to express my views on religion in an office environment. However, we must approach one another gently and not force our views on others. For example, I have a description of Joshua 1:9 as well as a glass case of Jesus on my desk. People know that I am a follower of Jesus, yet i’ve never had to walk around blasting people with my Bible. Instead, I wait until my co-workers come to me with a personal issue and then I will bring up my religous views, and they usually will do the same.
I think a major problem with discussing religious views at the office is that people try too many times to “win” the argument instead of respecting someone’s view who may differ from ours. Even though many of my co workers may not discuss it publicly in a large setting, I have found that whenever they have a question about Jesus or any religion, they will come to me in private. A lot more gets accomplished that way.
By Gary
November 27, 2006 1:22 PM | Link to this
I think a major problem with discussing religious views at the office is that people try too many times to “win” the argument instead of respecting someone’s view who may differ from ours.
Totally agreed. As an atheist I don’t mind if folks have trinkets of their respective religious beliefs in their cubes; it’s when they begin trying to witness during work hours that I begin to find the concept of mixing religion and work a dangerous proposition in an already politically-charged atmosphere.
As the commenter above stated, there’s a definite time and place for discussing your beliefs, but the workplace isn’t one of them. Take a lunch hour with those that want to discuss it. They’ll come to you; you needn’t come to them while the boss is still expecting reports on his desk.
By gman
November 27, 2006 2:07 PM | Link to this
I remember years ago at a location I worked at that a man found religion after he was about to loose his eye. He stated he prayed and prayed and God listened to him and answered his prayers. This was his turning point in life. He in turn felt it was his duty to get everyone in the office to church. He ended up being sanctioned and was asked not to talk religion on company property.
Now I have no trouble with anyone’s faith in God. The trouble comes when one tries to match thier faith against yours without respecting ones choices. If you ask me, if one wants to talk about religion at work then they should feel free to do so without imposing thier belief on others.
By Alan
November 27, 2006 2:10 PM | Link to this
In my opinion, there is no place in the office for religion. Religion has nothing to do with work. I happen to be Jewish and find it to be very exclusionary in the work place. Religion is a very personal thing and it’s no one else’s business what I believe or don’t believe. At one of my past jobs, they had bible study on Friday mornings. Because I was not of the faith, I was automatically excluded and made to feel different or that of an outsider. Even now, I have been in uncomfortable situations at work do to comments, ignorance and co-workers wanting to convert me. I feel as though I am looked at differently and treated differently than others. Being from the Northeast, I have never experienced anything like this until I moved to Atlanta. All that is needed is respect for one another and for religion to be left at home in one’s personal life.
By GenXDen
November 27, 2006 2:55 PM | Link to this
I, personally, take the time to recognize that the workplace can be VERY diverse and find it quite interesting to learn about the beliefs of others. Keep in mind that I said “learn about” not “get preached at”. I’ve been able to learn something about Judaism, Hinduism, Bhuddism, different sects of Christianity that I wasn’t brought up in and even the Muslim faith. That doesn’t make me an expert on religion - by any stretch of the imagination - but at least makes me more aware. The key, for me, has been to let people know that I am very open-minded - but am not interested in jumping from one religion to the next.
I agree with gman’s statement “The trouble comes when one tries to match their faith against yours without respecting ones choices.” Well said! If I encounter one of “those people” I simply walk away whilst they’re in the middle of their “sermon”. It usually stuns them into the realization that they’ve crossed a line. I don’t even comment…I just abandon the conversation mid-stream. Might be rude, but it gets my point across.
By Stacey
November 27, 2006 3:57 PM | Link to this
Several years ago, I worked in a department of 12 people, all but two of which were Christians. The other two (same faith) spent no less than an hour each day studying their texts and discussing them aloud. At first, no one complained because we all discussed non-work-related matters and they still managed to get their work done. They would constantly try to convert the rest of us and we would “debate” our views back and forth.
It finally came to a head when a new person joined the department and was offended by the discussions. She never told us it bothered he but she went to HR and complained that we were creating a hostile work environment. None of us was fired but we were all written up and everyone in the company was given a refresher “sensitivity training” course.
By Johnny Rodriguez - Puerto Rico
November 27, 2006 4:23 PM | Link to this
I am a Christian 24x7 and my actions at work or anywhere are based on my Christian values. I respect everyones religion and do not force my religion upon them. However, I still give them my blessing!
God Bless
By blacksheep
November 28, 2006 9:54 AM | Link to this
years ago I worked in a place where a couple of the mid-level managers were evangelical Christians who made significant efforts to see that as many of their subordinates as possible were of the same religious persuasion. When I resisted their efforts at proselytizing me into their faith, they tried to make my life miserable. Fortunately for me, one of the managers was overheard saying that she was going to get me fired because she wouldn’t have “non-believers” working in her department. I requested a meeting with top management, which I got, and told them of the problem. Things got better after that, though I was never very comfortable there and eventually left. I’m like Alan above… what you believe is none of my business, and what I believe (or don’t believe) is none of yours.
By WAR EAGLE
November 30, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
Yes, it is the evangelical CHRISTIANS that screw things up for the rest of us. I wish they would take their bibles and stick it. Just goes to show you-too much CHURCH ruins your brain.