How to work out job conflicts over religion?
Jesus encouraged his followers to remember him in the breaking of the bread, Saint Paul reminded the community at Corinth in this Sunday’s second reading. Increasing numbers . . .
Jesus encouraged his followers to remember him in the breaking of the bread, Saint Paul reminded the community at Corinth in this Sunday’s second reading. Increasing numbers of French employees in urban areas are reminding their bosses of their religious beliefs at work, and the result is an increase in workplace friction over conflicting belief systems, a new study reveals.
Close to half the staff managers at companies in French urban areas have seen problems arising from religious demands by employees and expect them to increase in the future, according to a study conducted by university researchers in Rennes and the international recruitment agency Randstad. Citing their faith, some men refused to take orders from a woman boss or shake hands with women, and some refused to handle alcohol or pork products.
Other conflicts include employees wanting to pray or wear religious garb at work and employees trying to impose their religious standards on colleagues. Smaller towns and rural areas had far fewer problems, the study said. Sociologists say most religious demands at work come from the large Muslim minority, with some also from orthodox Jews and evangelical Christians. These groups mostly live in or around big cities rather than the traditionally Catholic rural areas.
The survey was released as French lawmakers prepare new legislation extending strict public service bans on religious garb at work to some private firms. President Francois Hollande has also launched an official campaign to ensure the legal separation of church and state is fully respected in France.
"These initial results show the issue of religion at work exists and is not a marginal question," concluded the study, which said 43 percent of staff managers saw faith-related work problems and 41 percent expected to encounter more in future.
Homily hint: Globalization and the rise of large urban centers bring communities that were once widely separated geographically into close proximity. As tensions and misunderstandings over contrasting religious traditions become more commonplace, tolerance and dialogue are the best options to help us learn to live together in the new global village.
Close to half the staff managers at companies in French urban areas have seen problems arising from religious demands by employees and expect them to increase in the future, according to a study conducted by university researchers in Rennes and the international recruitment agency Randstad. Citing their faith, some men refused to take orders from a woman boss or shake hands with women, and some refused to handle alcohol or pork products.
Other conflicts include employees wanting to pray or wear religious garb at work and employees trying to impose their religious standards on colleagues. Smaller towns and rural areas had far fewer problems, the study said. Sociologists say most religious demands at work come from the large Muslim minority, with some also from orthodox Jews and evangelical Christians. These groups mostly live in or around big cities rather than the traditionally Catholic rural areas.
The survey was released as French lawmakers prepare new legislation extending strict public service bans on religious garb at work to some private firms. President Francois Hollande has also launched an official campaign to ensure the legal separation of church and state is fully respected in France.
"These initial results show the issue of religion at work exists and is not a marginal question," concluded the study, which said 43 percent of staff managers saw faith-related work problems and 41 percent expected to encounter more in future.
Homily hint: Globalization and the rise of large urban centers bring communities that were once widely separated geographically into close proximity. As tensions and misunderstandings over contrasting religious traditions become more commonplace, tolerance and dialogue are the best options to help us learn to live together in the new global village.
Source: An article by Tom Heneghan for Reuters