An Investigation of the Religious Accommodation Education Gap: Corporate and Workforce Misconceptions and Ignorance Abound

Abstract

Today’s workforce is becoming more diversified in ethnicity, culture,language, and religion.  Religion plays animportant role in the values people hold; however, many businesses would prefer religion not have a place in their workenvironment.  Formost individuals work dominates a large part of their life and it isdifficult, if not impossible, to separate one’s religious beliefs from theworkplace.  Organizations are asked towalk the fine line between these conflicting preferences by offering policieswhich accommodate religious beliefs while maintaining a productive, yet discrimination-free, atmosphere.  Companies develop and disseminate discrimination andharassment policies to their employees, assuming they are protecting theiremployees’ religious beliefs and the companies’ welfare from employeelitigation and complaints.  Weinvestigated the awareness and understanding of religious accommodationpolicies and the relationship to both employee retention and potentiallitigation. Companies not only need to be aware of the critical nature ofdelivering religious accommodation and discrimination policies to theiremployees, but also ensure corporate and employee understanding of thesepolicies. To not do so can result in both litigation and loss of employees.