The rise continues. The new barometer of religion in business (carried out between April and August 2024 and based on the responses of around 1,300 executives and managers and 1,400 believing and practicing employees), published Thursday November 21, shows that, now, more than 70 % of those questioned identify situations marked by religion in their work environment. The highest rate since the creation of this barometer, launched in 2013 by the Institut Montaigne. Cases of tension and dysfunction are also increasing, but remain in the minority. Overall, religion at work is widely accepted.
“Religious facts are multifaceted and have consequences which vary greatly from one company to another and within the same company”specifies the barometer. The most common fact is the visible wearing of religious symbols, which will increase significantly in 2024 (34% of respondents, compared to 21% in 2022). Requests for schedule adjustments are followed up, regardless of the religion concerned. The editor of the study, Lionel Honoré, university professor in Brest and founder of the Observatory of Religious Facts in Business, nevertheless adds that “the vast majority of believers make their religious practice invisible at work.”
If these reported facts and behaviors concern all religions, Islam is the most represented, followed by Catholicism, evangelical cults and Judaism. The wearing of Muslim religious symbols is thus increasing sharply: 36% of incidents reported in 2024 compared to 19% in 2022.
Negative behavior towards women
More than 90% of practicing employees say they do not perceive a negative effect of their religious commitment on their work or in their professional relationships. “There is no global rejection of religion at work”assures the study, specifying that the religious fact “always marginally disrupts organizational functioning” and has ” rarely ” negative consequences.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Lionel Honoré, finalist for the Thinking about Work prize: “Faced with religious facts, it is important that managers remain in a position of reasonable accommodation”
Read later
The majority of managers (64%) consider that religious freedom must be taken into account by companies, with the limitation of properly carrying out work. Certain behaviors are allowed: requests for schedule adjustments, prayer during break times, discussions about religion among colleagues, for example.
The study specifies, however, that this tolerance for religious affirmation is decreasing. The number of people considering that the principle of secularism should apply in private companies as well as in the public sector (77%) is increasing. “The respondents do not have a legal vision of secularism. They are not calling for neutrality, but for tolerance. There is a place for religious fact, provided that it is not disruptive”explains Lionel Honoré. This tolerance, for sometimes more problematic facts, is greater among practicing employees.
You have 42.97% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
