Religious Discrimination in the Workplace

January 1, 2001

Source: The Boston Herald

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/business/cap01012001.htm

On January 1, 2001, The Boston Herald reported that "research conducted for the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding shows that some two-thirds of a sample of ethnically diverse workers have experienced or witnessed some form of religious discrimination or bias in the work place. More than half said such incidents affect their job performance. Almost 45 percent said the experience led them to consider quitting." 675 Buddhist, Shinto, Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Hindu workers were surveyed. "53 percent held professional (25 percent), technical (17 percent) or managerial (11 percent) jobs" -- the kind of job that puts these workers in high demand. The survey found that only "23 percent of those who experienced some form of discrimination bothered to report it," which means bias often goes unnoticed. The study found that "90 percent of the respondents listed being able to take personal days off from work as a top priority; 75 percent listed flexible hours to permit prayer." The Tanenbaum Center cited research that "only 15 percent of employers provide space or time for religious activities. And only 13 percent of employees say their employers accommodate the needs of different religions....only 18 percent train managers to accommodate workers' religious needs." The Center recommends "written company policies outlining grounds for taking time off from work for religious reasons" and "clearly stated policies regarding dress and appearance at work and for dealing with religious artifacts and decorations."