Around 30 per cent of UK-based Christian employees feel their organisation could do more to make employees feel comfortable wearing religious dress or symbols, according to a new report.
Nearly half, 45 per cent, of Christian employees who wear religious dress or symbols at work do not feel comfortable doing so, according to Religion at Work: Experiences of Christian Employees.
And around 32 percent of Christian employees surveyed have not felt comfortable reporting an incident on the issue.
On religious festivals, 97 per cent have never had a request to take annual leave to celebrate religious holidays or festivals rejected and 70 per cent feel their organisation is happy for them to take time off for religious festivals.
However, just 37 per cent feel comfortable discussing the religious festivals they celebrate at work.
Gender has an impact on this issue, with men being more likely than women to feel relaxed discussing religious festivals at work.
The report, by Pearn Kandola, a Kidlington business-psychology consultancy which promotes diversity and inclusion, notes that many organisations’ schedules are centred around Christian holidays.
However, while an increasing number of employers are understanding the value of creating an inclusive work environment, compared to other identity groups such as gender or race, religious diversity and inclusion at work is often overlooked by employers.
The research project has also raised awareness around employee experiences of expressing religious identity at work.
It aims to assist organisations in creating a workplace culture which welcomes religious diversity and encourages employees to freely express their religious identity.
Many participants told the survey how working for an organisation with an open, welcoming and inclusive culture makes people feel comfortable expressing their religious beliefs, which opens up opportunities for insightful discussions with their co-workers.
Several participants said that while religious beliefs and opinions may differ, they appreciate the opportunity to have open, respectful discussions to share and learn about different experiences and beliefs.
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