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How to Protect Our Company from Relgious Discrimination

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We have seen so many companies get in trouble for alleged religious discrimination. What are some tips that you can have to help us protect our employees and workplace from such discrimination?

Religious discrimination is nothing new in the workplace. However, it has received a huge influx of attention since 9-11. Many companies and employees are particularly aware of certain religions that have roots in the Middle East, such as Islam. In addition to discrimination involving the religion itself, many employers have been taken to court over discrimination against religious artifacts, such as head dress and beads.

When it comes to protecting religious freedom at work, Title VII guarantees that employees should not be discriminated against in hiring, promotions, benefits, or other areas at work. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is in place to protect these rights on a federal level.

As an employer, it might be difficult to stop discrimination against Islamic employees if your other employees have preconceived notions. However, it is important that you, the company, does not discriminate. While you cannot change a mindset sometimes, you can also offer educational opportunities to help reduce their anxieties about persons of different religions. Sometimes, when there is a difference of opinion, the HR office can offer excellent training programs that can bring multiple religions together. It is up to you as to whether your situation is serious enough to implement these training programs though.

Basically, as an employer, it is up to you to do everything you can to create a safe and happy work environment. As such, your company will need to have a policy in place that protects employees from religious discrimination both from the company and from other employees. If you have a complaint about religious discrimination, it is important that you investigate the claim fairly and take steps to rectify the situation. These steps may lead to the disciplining of an offending party, if a party is found guilty.

Keep in mind that religious discrimination not only occurs when a person of a particular religion is passed over for a job, promotion, or other benefit, but religious discrimination also occurs when there is a hostile work environment surrounding a person because of his or her religion. For example, if people make discriminatory slurs about a particular religion or treat a person of a particular religion with hatred, then those persons can be held accountable for their discrimination in the workplace, even if they are other employees.

So, to protect your workplace, the best you can do is to implement anti-discrimination policies for both the company and your employees. Investigate claims and take action where it is needed so that your employees feel safe and protected while at work.