This is not right.
A comprehensive examination recently revealed a prevalent discomfort among religious practitioners in the UK and US when it comes to expressing their faith within their work environments.
The study, conducted by consultancy firm Pearn Kandola, encompassed the perspectives of over 6,000 individuals following Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Christianity across both countries.
Key findings uncovered significant unease among respondents. Nearly half, or 47%, expressed discomfort when discussing the religious festivals integral to their faith while at their workplaces. Only about a third, roughly 36%, believed their supervisors were supportive of them taking time off for religious festivities. Alarmingly, 19% reported instances where their requests for leave to observe religious holidays were turned down.
Additionally, the study noted that a mere 23% of participants felt at ease wearing religious attire or symbols at work. Of this group, only 16% felt comfortable while doing so.
The report highlighted both positive and negative outcomes associated with expressing faith in the workplace. On the positive side, there was an observed increase in awareness, better understanding among colleagues, and an overall improvement in well-being. However, negative consequences encompassed experiences of discrimination, stereotyping, mockery, mistreatment, exclusion, and a pervasive sense of isolation.
The clash between work schedules and religious practices further compounded challenges for many. For instance, adherents of Judaism struggled to observe the Sabbath, while some Christians faced difficulties observing Sunday due to work commitments over the weekends. Similarly, Muslims encountered impediments attending Friday prayers due to work obligations.
Pearn Kandola emphasized in their report the presence of significant barriers preventing individuals from openly expressing their religious beliefs at work, despite the evident benefits. They underscored the oversight of religious considerations within diversity and inclusion strategies, resulting in a lack of adequate support for employees to express or practice their beliefs freely. Such discouragement of religious expression might inhibit employees from effectively communicating their needs to their employers.
The report put forth critical recommendations for businesses, emphasizing the imperative to comprehend and mitigate bias related to religion. Additionally, it stressed the need for robust policies that actively discourage religious-based harassment in the workplace. Overall, the report emphasized the necessity of fostering an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to express their religious beliefs without fear of repercussions, judgment, or isolation.