A recent study has found that some religious workers in the US and UK don’t feel comfortable expressing their faith in the workplace.
The survey was conducted by Pearn Kandola, a consultancy group that asked workers who follow Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or Christianity how comfortable they are in discussing their faith at work.
The poll found that 47% of participants were uncomfortable when it comes to discussing religious events they celebrate while at work.
On top of that, only a third felt their manager would be happy for them to take time off to celebrate religious events.
Overall, the study highlighted the struggle that many religious followers have when it comes to working.
“Work schedules made religious observance difficult for some. For example, some Jewish employees were unable to observe the Sabbath, and some Christians to observe Sunday due to being required to work over the weekend. In a similar vein, some Muslims were unable to attend Friday prayers,” the study said.
In total, 19% of respondents said their annual requests for leave to celebrate religious holidays were rejected by their employer. Another 23% said they wear religious dress or symbols at work, but of those who did, only 16% were comfortable when doing so.
In the report, Pearn Kandola said that its “research has demonstrated that although there are many positive benefits to expressing religious beliefs at work, there are barriers which prevent people from doing so.”
The negative outcomes the report highlighted include “stereotyping and discrimination; being mocked and mistreated; being excluded, and having a sense of isolation.”
Meanwhile, positive outcomes included understanding, improved work relationships, and increased well-being at work.
Still, a number of respondents said they don’t receive the “support they need to express or practice their religious beliefs at work.”
“Religion is often overlooked within diversity and inclusion strategies, which may lead to managers being unaware of the accommodations that their employees may need to express or observe their beliefs,” the report noted. “In an organization where religious expression is perceived to be discouraged, employees may feel unable to communicate their needs to their employer.”
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