Earlier our colleague Marlene Jabinger posted an article about the strict "Look policy" of the American company "Abercrombie&Fitch".
I found this article (http://www.hrmorning.com/abercrombie-fitch-look-policy/) which highlights a new fact about Abercrombie's look policy. Two muslim women filed lawsuit against the company due to religious discrimination. They were discriminated or even fired because they wanted to express their religious believes by wearing a head scarf while working. Looking back at the presentation of TNT by Mr. Neuwirth he also pointed out religion as an element of diversity (if you remember his anecdote about the muslim guy starting to pray with his carpet in the office and how he received a special room where he could pray 3 times a day during his working hours). I believe that the religious expression can be a huge trigger for discrimination in a company. Do you think people should stick to their work during working hours (ignore all personal habits like religious habits, etc) or should they be able to follow their religious beliefs also in the office? Would you be okay with your co-worker praying 3 times a day for 10 minutes? What's your opinion?
Thank you Laura for posting this article, which is indeed a very important topic we should take into consideration. Our workplace is getting more and more diverse in culture, language or religion. Of course, there are going to be clashes, where people work together also tensions may arise. But from a human resources standpoint, managing religious diversity can be quite tough as this is a very sensitive issue. I think for each single member of the team tolerating and accepting religious views should be a matter of course. But also employers need to play a key role, this could be either offering extra time for those who have special needs or simply train or encourage employees for working on a diverse workplace so they know how to deal with it. I personally have no problem with the fact that people follow their religious beliefs as long they don’t take personal advantage of it.
AntwortenLöschenPersonally I think it is important, not to discriminate people at a workplace, but on the other hand I also don't think that anybody is entitled to get special privileges. I wouldn't have problem with a colleague wearing a head scarf or praying 3 times a day for 10 minutes (as long as there is a quiet place, where they can be for themselves. I think it won't make anybody feel good, if a colleague had to pray in between a desk and a cupboard. Especially not the praying person him/herself). But I think, that for anything else that work everybody should have to "clock" out and not use working time for anything else that lasts longer than about 5-10 minutes. That includes smoking breaks or those anyoingly extensive coffee and chatting breaks some employees like to have in the coffee kitchen (it always enraged me, if people weren't answering their phones and I could hear them chatting along and along for about 20 minutes in the kitchen). But I guess, parts of that depends on the internal policy and is handled differently in every company.
AntwortenLöschenThank you for this article, Laura! In my opinion, companies should integrate diversity in such a way that different religions and religious views are respected and accepted among each other. Thus, I also agree on giving employees the freedom of living their religion as long as it does not restrict others from working, insult anyone and keeps within certain time limits.
AntwortenLöschenConcerning the article, I first of all find it look a little uncoordinated that – in the first case – two managers do not represent a clear policy of A&F causing confusion for the woman. For the second situation, it is to say that A&F’s policy in general might be critical and narrow-minded as far as it concerns looks. Nevertheless, I somehow think that we unfortunately have to accept such policies to a certain degree as it is A&F’s business and it can decide on their own which kind of staff they prefer – even if this might unfortunately end up in insulting people. However, no one is forced to work for or buy at such a shop. We can rather raise our voice or give a sign by not shopping there anymore.