Thursday, April 24, 2003
Religious discrimination complaints spike
More workers are expressing and practicing their spiritual beliefs at work - something many experts say can be good for business. At the same time, workplaces are becoming more religiously diverse. The result? The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that complaints of religious discrimination on the job jumped 21 percent in 2002 - and a whopping 85 percent over the last decade.
Years ago, people tended to leave their faith at the office door, but that attitude is changing. Whether clashes occur between supervisors and subordinates or among co-workers, the responsibility ultimately becomes the employer's. Workplace religious studies are proliferating. Numerous books advocate enhancing work spiritually. Employees are asserting their rights to wear religiously mandated apparel and to work schedules that accommodate their worship times. Meanwhile, employers struggle with how far they need to go to accommodate workers' religious needs while running an efficient business.
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