Using the final project case study transcripts provided and the articles “Bias Has No Place at Work” and “Workplace Religious Accommodation Issues for Adherents of Islam” from the module resources, assess the cultural needs of Kareem versus the culture at ABC Corporation. Where did you identify gaps? What should ABC Corporation do to meet Kareem’s needs while still maintaining performance expectations?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Assessing Cultural Needs: Kareem vs. ABC Corporation
Introduction
In today’s diverse work environment, organizations must understand and accommodate the cultural needs of their employees to foster inclusion and enhance productivity. This analysis focuses on Kareem, an employee whose cultural and religious practices may conflict with the prevailing culture at ABC Corporation. By examining the gaps in understanding and accommodation, we can propose actionable recommendations for ABC Corporation to meet Kareem’s needs while maintaining performance expectations.
Cultural Needs of Kareem
Kareem, as a practicing Muslim, has specific cultural and religious requirements that shape his workplace experience. Key aspects of his cultural needs may include:
1. Prayer Observances: Kareem is likely to have specific daily prayer times that require him to step away from work.
2. Dietary Restrictions: He may adhere to halal dietary laws, which could impact his food choices during company events or meetings.
3. Dress Code Considerations: Kareem might wear traditional Islamic attire, which may differ from the company’s standard dress code.
4. Religious Holidays: Observing Islamic holidays such as Eid may require time off or flexible scheduling.
These needs reflect Kareem’s cultural identity and are integral to his well-being and job satisfaction.
Culture at ABC Corporation
ABC Corporation’s culture appears to be primarily secular and possibly homogeneous, with performance expectations focused on productivity, uniformity, and adherence to standard practices that do not account for diverse cultural backgrounds. The culture may include:
1. Rigid Work Hours: A standard 9-to-5 schedule without flexibility for personal or religious observances.
2. Lack of Awareness: A general unawareness or sensitivity towards cultural and religious diversity among employees.
3. Uniform Dress Code: A dress code that may not accommodate traditional or religious attire.
Identifying Gaps
The gaps between Kareem’s cultural needs and the culture at ABC Corporation can be identified in several areas:
1. Flexibility in Scheduling: ABC Corporation may lack policies that allow for flexible work hours or designated prayer times, which is essential for accommodating Kareem’s religious practices.
2. Cultural Competence Training: There seems to be a lack of training on cultural competence and diversity awareness among management and staff, which can lead to misunderstandings or biases against employees like Kareem.
3. Inclusive Policies: The absence of formal policies regarding dietary restrictions and holiday observances fails to recognize the diverse backgrounds of employees.
4. Supportive Environment: The corporate environment may not actively support or promote an inclusive atmosphere where all employees feel valued for their unique identities.
Recommendations for ABC Corporation
To effectively meet Kareem’s cultural needs while maintaining performance expectations, ABC Corporation should consider the following actions:
1. Flexible Work Arrangements:
– Implement policies that allow for flexible scheduling, enabling employees to take breaks for prayer. This could involve creating designated quiet spaces for prayer within the office.
2. Cultural Competence Training:
– Provide training sessions for all employees on cultural competence and diversity awareness to foster an inclusive environment, reduce biases, and enhance teamwork.
3. Inclusive Policies on Dietary Needs:
– Establish guidelines for company events that consider dietary restrictions, offering halal options during catered meals and ensuring food inclusivity.
4. Accommodating Religious Observances:
– Develop clear policies regarding time off for religious holidays and flexible scheduling options around key dates in the Islamic calendar.
5. Open Communication Channels:
– Create an open dialogue where employees can express their needs related to culture and religion without fear of reprisal or discrimination.
6. Implement Feedback Mechanisms:
– Regularly solicit feedback from employees regarding their experiences and suggestions related to cultural accommodation and inclusion.
Conclusion
Addressing the cultural needs of employees like Kareem is crucial for fostering an inclusive workplace at ABC Corporation. By bridging the identified gaps through flexible scheduling, training, inclusive policies, and open communication, ABC Corporation can create a work environment that values diversity while maintaining performance expectations. Such efforts not only benefit individual employees but also contribute to a more harmonious and productive workplace culture overall.
