Embracing Faith

How to manage religious diversity in the workplace

Today's workforce is diverse in age, gender, ethnicity, and religion. It is important for an organization to adopt diversity management practices to bring this diverse mix together into a stable, productive unit.

Your current workplace may involve Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Wiccans, Baha'i, and more. Some groups may require wearing certain clothing articles, while most require time off for their respective holidays. Most of the many issues used to arise from the dress code and the time off, but now the issue surrounds name-calling and offensive jokes.

In the United States, religion is a very controversial issue. The United States is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. It is known to recognize at least 1,500 religions. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires employers to "Reasonably accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices unless doing so would cause more than a minimal burden on the operations of the employer's business. This policy means an employer may be required to reasonably adjust the work environment to allow an employee to practice his or her religion."

According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers cannot discriminate or treat employers less favorably because of their religious beliefs. Religion was a topic that no one spoke about in the corporate world since it was such a private matter. Companies are beginning to expand and become global, meaning religious diversity is rising, and they are embracing the differences their employees bring.

Although the accommodation of religious preferences is widespread in workplace practice, according to Forbes, only 51% of organizations have a written policy on religious diversity, and only 56% offer paid or unpaid leave for holidays not included in the organization's holiday schedule.

The marketplace is more global, driven by advances in communication and technology. For many organizations, managing diversity in the workplace is an integral part of their culture. Management of diversity makes every employee sensitive to the needs and differences of others. There are a few guidelines to enrich a company's religious diversity. They include offering training to all employees, providing time off to employees for religious reasons, encouraging employees to accept differences, avoiding overreacting to simple issues that may arise, and adopting a no-tolerance policy for severe issues.

According to the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, everyone has the freedom to exercise their right to choose and practice any religion they want. Religion in the workplace is ethical, and it is important among employees and should be taken seriously by their employers.

Kal Gajraj is a Miami/Fort Lauderdale-based communications and brand strategist and has two decades of marketing and public relations experience, including B2C and B2B focuses. Kal is a certified diversity professional and human rights consultant with the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights aiming to help organizations and people leaders towards communicating inclusively, accelerating acceptance and empowering unity. Kal is also an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College's School of Global Business.