In the UK, many employees who follow a religion find it challenging to openly express their faith in the workplace, according to a recent study. The research, titled “Religion at Work: the invisible dimension of workplace diversity,” highlights a gap between organizational policies and the reality faced by religious staff.
Conducted by workplace psychologist Professor Binna Kandola, the study surveyed 610 UK employees from various religious backgrounds, including Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh. The findings suggest that while a majority of the UK population identifies with a religion, discussions about faith remain rare in professional environments.
About 59% of participants believe that religious discrimination exists in their workplaces, with 66% feeling uneasy discussing religion at work. Nearly half of the respondents said they avoid such conversations to prevent potential conflicts or misunderstandings.
“This is real paradox between what people are interested in, what they can talk about, and the things that kind of, what people identify with the most, actually, they can’t talk about,” noted Professor Kandola during a presentation.
The study also points out that subtle biases are more prevalent than outright discrimination. While 27% of respondents have witnessed discrimination, 15% have experienced it firsthand. Instances of stereotyping (27%) and intrusive questioning about beliefs (25%) were common, along with pressure to participate in non-aligned events (24%) and being marginalized after sharing their faith (21%).
More severe cases, such as verbal or physical abuse related to religion, were reported by a small segment (4%) of those surveyed. Professor Kandola remarked on this, saying, “A lot of these things here, to be honest, actually seem more, more obvious than you find on gender or race… And if it was any other group…a minority group…if that was what we found, that would be something the organisation would do something about. Because it’s religion, it kind of continues.”
Despite a 2018 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development indicating that over 90% of employers consider themselves inclusive regarding religion, the new research shows a disconnect with the experiences of religious employees, who often feel overlooked or unsafe.
Professor Kandola suggests that this issue is partly due to the exclusion of religion from broader diversity and inclusion initiatives. Limited understanding of religious practices among colleagues contributes to stereotypes and discomfort around faith-related discussions.
He commented, “People don’t want to know. I find it’s one of those areas where I kind of think it’s not changing as rapidly as we might want.”
The study warns that silence on religious matters could have broader implications, such as reduced psychological safety for employees, leading to disengagement and a lack of belonging. Additionally, Kandola highlighted that religious individuals might bring more ethical decision-making to the workplace if allowed to express their beliefs freely.
To address these issues, the report recommends that organizations create environments conducive to respectful religious dialogue. This involves setting clear expectations for conversations, promoting mutual respect, and ensuring employees can share their views without fear of judgment.
Professor Kandola emphasized that enhancing workplace engagement with religion is not only about inclusion but also about strengthening the overall organizational culture.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
