ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > January > 15 > Entry
Prayer Room at the office?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Six engineers who worked at a technical facility in Cary, North Carolina for a relatively large organization went to their manager to find out if the company would provide a room at the facility for them to pray during the day, specifically around noon.
After careful thought and consideration, the company’s leadership team took an old supply room and converted it into a room that could be used for prayer and reflection.
These six engineers were of the Muslim faith, which advocates prayer five-times a day.
Establishing the room drew concern from other employees, and it was decided to ensure the room was available for all employees regardless of faith had the opportunity to reserve time in the room.
All employees receive two 15-minute breaks and 60-minutes for lunch. The six-gentleman who participated in the Islamic prayer process were given make adjustments in their schedules, adjust breaks, lunch time, etc. as long as their personal time (payer, lunch and breaks) was managed within the 90-minutes of total allotted time.
This became a win-win for the employees and the company.
This is an example of how one company managed one dimension of diversity an effort to retain talent within the organization.
Does your office have a prayer room? Has the option ever been discussed or was the notion shelved?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Sam
January 18, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
What about Christians?? Why do Muslims get special treatment, while Christianity in public America today gets thrown in the closet? Let’s give preferential treatment to a faith that advocates killing the infidel.
Go ahead, keep promoting “diversity” and even the Devil will become welcome in the office and schools of America.
By M
January 22, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
My company has a prayer room and they don’t even know it, a few of the ladies have adopted the supply closet as a prayer room. I don’t think this article was written to show special treatment for Muslims, only to show that some people do feel the need to pray during the day. Let’s try to keep things in perspective.
By Elisabeth
January 22, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
I think this is a wonderful idea (and I applaud the management who took this request seriously, openly and wisely). As long as it is open for everyone. I believe it excersizes our constitutional rights in a fuller manner not to mention developing mutual respect and understanding. I am thrilled to hear that more and more offices/work places are not only making it easier for working parents, ie creating children’s play rooms, but also the other important aspects of our lives such as religion. Seeing as how we spend 40+ hours a week at our workplaces. It is a wonderful and original workplace perk/benefit employers can offer as well.
By Elisabeth
January 22, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
By the way, I do not think anyone should dog others for being bolder than themselves…If a person feels bad about others being the “first” to present their requests that’s their issue they have to deal with in their heart. They should not take it out on others. It is a repulsive behaviour and will not attract anything but negitives. I will remind them (but they should know already) “Judge not lest you be judged…” and “God is Love” and “this is how they will know you are Mine that you Love one another” and “I came into the world not to condem the world but that through Me the world might be saved”…need I say more? I ask them as one Christian to another: What kind of example of Christ are you being to the world? Not an example of the Jesus I know and read of if you speak and act like that…Some non-Christians behave better than some “Christians” I know…Remember, you may be the only Christian they will ever be in contact with. Please put your best foot forward.