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Is It OK to Bring Religion Into the Workplace?
DiversityInc ^ | 3 Dec | Zayda Rivera

Posted on 12/03/2008 1:47:43 PM PST by flowerplough

...Religion is such a huge part of life for many people that it cannot be ignored even while they are at work.

"What motivates a lot of people is closely related to their faith," says Joe Lewis, secretary of the Ford Interfaith Network (FIN) at Ford Motor Co. "It gives them a lot of energy and inspiration, and for some people, it's already the foundation of their moral activity, and you certainly want people to act morally in the workplace. So to keep it out means that instead of bringing the whole of the employee and the best of the employee into the workplace, you're keeping some of it out."

"It's very important to recognize that religious faith is very central to many people and they can't check their faith at the door," says Neal. "I think the basic awareness that organizations need to have is that people bring their faith, spirit and religion to the workplace already, so if you're talking about "should we [allow religion in the workplace]," I am sorry, but it's already happening when people walk in the door."

Employers and employees can accommodate individual religions by making small adjustments to the workplace. Things such as prayer or meditation rooms, employee-resource groups that cater to religion such as Ford's FIN group, personal time off to celebrate religious holidays, and the general respect for others and their differences can make religion in the workplace friendly while still meeting the everyday requirements of running a successful business.

(Excerpt) Read more at diversityinc.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: christmas; corporatesocialism; culturewar; faith; ford; fordmotors; freedomfromreligion; freedomofreligion; homosexualagenda; workplace
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"accommodate individual religions by making small adjustments," like the slaughterhouse in Grand Island, Nebraska did when Somali Muslims demanded extra breaks for extra Ramadan prayers...
1 posted on 12/03/2008 1:47:43 PM PST by flowerplough
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To: flowerplough
Personally I think one’s religion should be checked at the door while at work. If a person's religion conflicts with their line of work then that person should find a different job.
2 posted on 12/03/2008 1:49:51 PM PST by pnh102 (Save America - Ban Ethanol Now!)
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To: flowerplough

No. Modern corporations make employees undergo diversity training to reeducate them to parrot that homosexuality is not a sin.


3 posted on 12/03/2008 1:52:26 PM PST by weegee (Sec. of State Clinton. What kind of change is it to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Oligarchy?)
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To: pnh102
Personally I think one’s religion should be checked at the door while at work. If a person's religion conflicts with their line of work then that person should find a different job.

Wow you seem to have a religious conviction about religious eviction.

4 posted on 12/03/2008 1:53:54 PM PST by DaveyB (Those who are merciful to the cruel will be cruel to the merciful.)
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To: pnh102

I think you should ask some of the companies why they are engaging in the social activism that they are that does not advance the market share or business objectives of the company. Too many companies have been infiltrated by liberalism and push the agenda through charitable sponorships, reeducation, etc.


5 posted on 12/03/2008 1:54:28 PM PST by weegee (Sec. of State Clinton. What kind of change is it to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Oligarchy?)
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To: flowerplough
If you want to wear a crucifix, no. But if you want a prayer rug in your office, go for it. /s

I think private business owners should be able to make their own decisions about what works best for their employees. I just can't take the hypocrisy with which “diversity” is currently touted as a policy.

6 posted on 12/03/2008 1:57:35 PM PST by Hoffer Rand (There ARE two Americas: "God's children" and the tax payers)
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To: flowerplough

To some extent, I agree. But I doubt this would have become an issue if not for Muslims demanding it. They certainly wouldn’t have given Christians this kind of consideration. Now, perhaps they might, just to look evenhanded.

But the thing is, as a Christian I just ask God to sanctify my work, I don’t ask my employer to provide prayer rooms or foot baths, or toilets facing away from Mecca.


7 posted on 12/03/2008 1:57:40 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: pnh102
If a person's religion conflicts with their line of work then that person should find a different job.

I agree. On the other hand, if a person is doing his job just fine, but has a Bible his desk, how does this hurt the employer?

8 posted on 12/03/2008 1:58:41 PM PST by Tax-chick ("And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day." (Is. 2)
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To: weegee
Bingo with your post! If it's good for them, it's good for me.

Personally, I'm a Christian before I'm an American and before I'm a Republican. It would be hard for me to “check” my whole being at the door. I will state my beliefs and take the consequences. I don't push my beliefs on others because I believe the Spirit calls those He will, but I won't back down from what has been given to me freely.

9 posted on 12/03/2008 1:58:54 PM PST by chuckles
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To: flowerplough

We shouldn’t offend the muslims, atheists and homosexuals. They’re a protected minority.


10 posted on 12/03/2008 1:59:46 PM PST by IbJensen (The fat lady has sung and it was awful. Coming up: Maya Angelou!)
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To: flowerplough

ALSO from Diversity Inc:

http://www.diversityinc.com/public/3164.cfm

7 Things NEVER to Say to LGBT Coworkers

No. 1: “I suspected you were gay.”
No. 2: “I’m sorry.”
No. 3: “Why did you tell me that?”
No. 4: “Which bathroom do you use?”
No. 5: “We are not close enough for you to share that information with me.”
No. 6: Referring to coworkers as “she-male.”
No. 7: “What do you like to do in bed?”

Bow to the corporate socialists. You must undergo re-education, comrade.


11 posted on 12/03/2008 2:00:10 PM PST by weegee (Sec. of State Clinton. What kind of change is it to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Oligarchy?)
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To: flowerplough
Is It OK to Bring Religion Into the Workplace?

It depends of course.

The fact that you belong to a specific religious group should not determine whether or not you are hired or fired; only your behavior should.

If said behavior affects your performance, then no. You don't have a right to practice your religion on someone else's time.

12 posted on 12/03/2008 2:12:59 PM PST by GunRunner
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To: GunRunner

According to Diversity Inc. there is NO QUESTION that it is OK to bring sexuality into the worlkplace.


13 posted on 12/03/2008 2:14:20 PM PST by weegee (Sec. of State Clinton. What kind of change is it to keep the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton Oligarchy?)
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To: weegee
No. 3: "Why did you tell me that?"
It's important for people to bring their "whole selves" to work, and coming out of the closet is certainly a part of who one is. "The notion of leaving a big part of your self at home and walking into work is like walking around with two types of shoes on," says Selisse Berry executive director of Out & Equal, an advocacy organization that provides services to companies, human-resource professionals, employee-resource groups and individuals.

Same would apply to a person's religion.

No. 5: "We are not close enough for you to share that information with me."
Not all employees are interested in their coworker's personal lives. If you feel a colleague may have shared too much information, you can simply say, "Thank you for telling me that," says Peel.

Why "thank" them? To thank someone means you are thankful. I'm not and I wouldn't be.

I suggest making it clear that you aren't interested in their personal problems. Nothing offensive, a simple: I'm not interested.

No. 6: Referring to coworkers as "she-male."
There has been a lot of uproar these days over this phrase. Transgender employees often are the brunt of culturally insensitive jokes and comments.

Poor baby is being made fun of because she-he-it is a freak! Awww!

If you're a freak, you're going to get picked on. Doesn't matter if you're the single white guy at a company or a 6'3" black guy that likes to dress up as a woman. If you're a freak - different from the norm, expect flak.

No. 7: "What do you like to do in bed?"
Sexual questions and comments are always off-limits. Not only do you run the risk of offending a colleague, you are also teetering the line of sexual harassment. It's important not to be confused between trying to understand someone's personal life and inappropriate sexual harassment, warns Kevin Jennings, executive director of GLSEN.

A sexual comment is always off-limits... unless it is coming from a freak? Telling me you like getting your backdoor banged SEXUALLY HARASSING ME.

I can't go thru the entire list. I'm pissed enough already.

14 posted on 12/03/2008 2:17:45 PM PST by CE2949BB (Fight.)
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To: CE2949BB
A sexual comment is always off-limits... unless it is coming from a freak? Telling me you like getting your backdoor banged SEXUALLY HARASSING ME.

Slap an "is" somewhere in there.

15 posted on 12/03/2008 2:19:29 PM PST by CE2949BB (Fight.)
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To: flowerplough

No.
You let one religion through that door to exercise its religious demands and you will get more. Better to let none of them start what would become a mess at least and a war at worst.


16 posted on 12/03/2008 2:39:13 PM PST by Dagny&Hank
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To: flowerplough

I keep a Watctower magazine in my cubie, right next to the Amway catalog and the Soldier of Fortune magazine, the combined effect makes for a lot of privacy:-)


17 posted on 12/03/2008 2:40:14 PM PST by RedStateRocker (Nuke Mecca, deport all illegals, abolish the IRS, DEA and ATF.)
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To: pnh102

“Personally I think one’s religion should be checked at the door while at work. If a person’s religion conflicts with their line of work then that person should find a different job.”

First, I dismiss this, assuming that I understand what it means. It has been my experience, based mostly on Christian and Jewish employees, that their faith makes them better employees (I see no conflict between my religion and good work ethics). If you are referring to sermonizing I agree that this not welcome in the workplace (fellow employees can normally handle this, but if it persists, the employer may have to take action). On the second part, I agree, each prospective employee should know what the job entails and be prepared to do it, or find other employment.

I have had on occasion people who did not want to work on Sunday (most had no problem) and at least one that didn’t want to work on Friday night. That was always taken into consideration as long as they were willing to do alternate hours to make up the difference. Had more trouble with people who didn’t want to do a particular job because ... well they just didn’t want to do it.


18 posted on 12/03/2008 3:11:20 PM PST by Peter Horry (We shouldn't accept things just because somebody says so .... Dixie Lee Ray)
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To: Peter Horry

I should add one note, however, it is a WORKPLACE, the Church, Mosque, or Synagogue is down the street, when you get off.


19 posted on 12/03/2008 3:20:13 PM PST by Peter Horry (We shouldn't accept things just because somebody says so .... Dixie Lee Ray)
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To: flowerplough
In my home town, a factory would have men in one corner on their knees fervently praying that God would save the rest of the plant and in the other, men shooting craps, running parley sheets, and taking orders for prostitutes. If you aren't on company time (work break) and you respect the other person when he says "take it somewhere else" then you should not let things bother you.

I had a good friend who was so careful NOT to abuse his right of free speech and company time that he would not discuss his faith on the job. He would tell guys who ASKED him, "lets talk about that at break" or tell them to get with him at lunch time. He led a bible study after hours in one of the meeting rooms. He actually got much more respect that way than some of the lay preachers who were to be frank, shirkers. During Christmas, the plant manager asked him if he would sing Christmas Carols over the plant loudspeaker (he had a fabulous voice!). He initially protested that he was not being paid to do that, and the manager said, "well, TODAY you are!" He is now a pastor, but the story is a good one on respecting boundaries.

20 posted on 12/03/2008 3:29:42 PM PST by slnk_rules (http://mises.org)
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