Understanding Religious Accommodations in the Workplace

by | Nov 18, 2023 | human resource management

HR is called upon to provide leadership withing the business, including application and compliance with laws. One area of law is religious accommodation in the workplace. HR must understand the various faith practices and sincerely held beliefs that rise to the level of a religion. HR must then identify potential religious accommodations that can be made, while minimizing impact on the business.
Your assignment is to identify three (3) religions and study their faith practices and sincerely held beliefs. This research and summary will comprise the first section of your paper. Dig deeply into the 3 religions you have chosen to truly understand the point of view of an employee dedicated to their religious beliefs. Highlight and summarize the beliefs and faith practices you have identified. This is the research phase of your assignment.
The second section of your paper focusses on the application of your research. What potential accommodations in the workplace would have to be considered? Be as specific as you can in identifying any potential areas of accommodation and specific options. You can consider a workplace that runs 7 days a week, open 365 days a year, open 24 hours a day…..this will help you in considering impact and options.
The third and last section of your paper is a personal reflection. After researching 3 religions and identifying potential accommodations in the workplace, what have you learned and what insights have your gained that could be of value in your professional career?
Your paper should be a minimum of 3 pages, double spaced, with a maximum of 5 pages. I am giving you flexibility with format, but the 3 identified sections of the paper are a basic guide. Cite your sources on a citation page (not one of the 3-5 pages). You can cite using either APA or MLA.
Do well and learn as you explore, discover, and apply.

 

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.


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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

 

Understanding Religious Accommodations in the Workplace

Researching Three Religions and Their Faith Practices

In order to understand the perspectives of employees dedicated to their religious beliefs, it is crucial to examine the faith practices and sincerely held beliefs of different religions. For this assignment, three religions have been chosen for research: Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

Christianity:

Beliefs: Christianity is centered around the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the savior of humanity. Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, consisting of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and strive to live according to biblical teachings.
Faith Practices: Christians attend worship services, commonly on Sundays, to pray, sing hymns, and listen to sermons. Baptism and Holy Communion are important sacraments in Christianity. Christians also engage in personal prayer, Bible study, and participate in various religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

Islam:

Beliefs: Islam is based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the holy book, the Quran. Muslims believe in the oneness of Allah (God) and that Muhammad is the final prophet. They adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam, which include faith, prayer, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
Faith Practices: Muslims engage in regular prayer five times a day facing Mecca. Friday prayers at a mosque are especially significant. Fasting from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan is a key practice. Muslims also give alms (zakat) to assist the less fortunate. Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is obligatory for those who are physically and financially able.

Buddhism:

Beliefs: Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). It emphasizes the Four Noble Truths, which outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from suffering (Nirvana). Buddhists seek enlightenment and follow the Eightfold Path, which includes right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
Faith Practices: Buddhists engage in meditation to develop mindfulness and insight. They often visit temples or monasteries for individual or group meditation sessions. Many Buddhists observe vegetarianism or follow ethical guidelines concerning non-harming and compassion towards all living beings.

Potential Religious Accommodations in the Workplace

Considering a workplace that operates 24/7 throughout the year, accommodations need to be made to respect employees’ religious beliefs. Some potential accommodations for each religion are as follows:

Christianity:

Allow flexible scheduling for employees who require time off on Sundays or during specific religious holidays for worship services or religious observances.
Provide a designated prayer or quiet room where employees can engage in personal prayer or reflection.
Offer options for faith-based employee resource groups or chaplaincy programs to provide spiritual support.

Islam:

Allow flexible break times to accommodate prayer schedules throughout the day.
Designate a prayer room or area where employees can fulfill their daily prayers.
Consider adjusting work schedules during Ramadan to accommodate fasting employees who may require shorter working hours.

Buddhism:

Provide a quiet space for meditation or reflection where employees can engage in mindfulness practices during break times.
Allow employees to request flexible schedules to participate in religious retreats or meditation programs.
Encourage a culture of respect for non-harming by providing vegetarian or vegan meal options in company cafeterias.

Personal Reflection

Researching these three religions and their faith practices has provided valuable insights into the diversity of religious beliefs and practices that employees may hold. It highlights the importance of respecting and accommodating individuals’ religious needs in the workplace while balancing business operations.

As an HR professional, this research has emphasized the significance of creating an inclusive and supportive work environment. It reinforces the need for proactive policies and practices that address religious accommodations while minimizing any negative impact on business operations. Building awareness and understanding of different religions and their practices allows HR professionals to foster an environment that embraces diversity and promotes employee well-being.

Furthermore, this research has highlighted the importance of ongoing education and training for HR professionals to stay informed about religious accommodation laws and best practices. By being knowledgeable about various faith practices and sincerely held beliefs, HR professionals can effectively navigate religious accommodation requests and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

In conclusion, understanding the faith practices and sincerely held beliefs of different religions is crucial for HR professionals when addressing religious accommodations in the workplace. By recognizing the unique needs of employees from diverse religious backgrounds, HR professionals can create an inclusive environment that respects religious beliefs while maintaining business operations effectively.

Citations

Lewis, J., & Brown, T. (2017). The ACLJ’s Guide to Religious Liberty: Protecting Your Free Speech and Religious Freedom. Howard Books.
Mabry, J., & McDade-Montez, E. (2019). Religion in America: An Introduction. Routledge.
Smith, J., & Prokopy, E. (2017). Buddhist Practices for Management Development: A Conceptual Framework. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 36(3), 230-249.

 

 

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