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Religious Diversity At Work
The document discusses expanding diversity in the workplace by addressing religious and cultural challenges. It provides case studies and recommendations for accommodating religious practices related to appearance, travel, gender interactions, meals, scheduling, conversations, and life events. The objectives are to increase religious competency, empower career services professionals to minimize challenges for religious students, and develop a more inclusive community. Resources on sustained dialogue and understanding different faiths are also shared.
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Religious Diversity At Work
- 2. Expanding Our DiversityToolbox Chaim Shapiro Touro College chaim.shapiro@touro.edu Aisha Ghori Ozaki Allstate Insurance aghor@allstate.com
- 3. Agenda • Introduction • Religionin the workplace • Unconscious bias • Case Studies • Resources
- 4. Learning Objectives • Increasereligious and cultural competency in order to provide greater awareness and understanding of religious challenges faced by students and colleagues in the workplace; • Empower Career Services professionals to assist students of various religious beliefs to minimize professional and workplace challenges and achieve career success; and • Develop a broader professional community of differences that embraces the richness of religious practice and diversity.
- 5. Want to seea religious challenge? • Try pronouncing this name: • Chaim
- 6. • One Example: •What Would YOU Do?
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- 8. Poll Question What isthe name of this head covering?: 1. Hajji 2. Hijab 3. Beret 4. All of the above
- 9. Recommendations • Make surethat others understand that there are varying levels of religious observance and that co- religionists should not be judged based on your standards and vice versa • Be open to share information about your religious appearance (when appropriate/if comfortable)
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- 11. Poll Question Which ofthe following are religious travel challenges? 1. Carrying a religious dagger 2. Head Coverings 3. Holiday Travel 4. All of the above
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- 13. Poll Question Which ofthe following can pose religious gender challenges? 1. Interview Rooms 2. Late Night Meetings 3. Handshakes 4. All of the above
- 14. Offer options thatare reasonable and inclusive Make it a practice to ask interviewees if there is a preference/need Don’t make assumptions Recommendations
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- 16. Poll Question What dothese symbols mean?: 1. Healthy 2. Halal 3. Kosher 4. None of the above
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- 19. Recommendations • Attempt tofind out what meal options are/aren’t available (don’t assume people know what you may need) • Ask interviewees/students if there is have a food restriction (religious or otherwise) and attempt to make an accommodation
- 20. Discussion Topic SCHEDULING • Holidays •Time of day • Socializing after work
- 21. Recommendations • Always accompanyrequests for accommodations with an expression of willingness to make up hours, work hard, compensate for any missed time • Set a precedent through hard work and being a team player before making requests, build capital so that management is more likely to accommodate
- 22. Discussion Topic CASUAL CONVERSATIONS •Appropriateness • Religious representative
- 23. Discussion Topic LIFE EVENTS& CELEBRATIONS
- 24. So, what canwe do? • December Dilemma • You CAN’T Be Serious: 911 Funerals • PC But NOTHING For Me • Faith Based Evangelism
- 25. Advice for Students •Be ready and willing to explain why you need an accommodation instead of leaving it as a “religious observance” without further elaboration • Refer others to campus ministries or human resources for further concerns about accommodating religious requirements
- 26. Advice for employers •Always be respectful. If a name is difficult to pronounce, ask for clarification and make an effort. This conveys respect and interest. • Attempt to gauge what a candidate/employee may need and if you aren’t sure, please ask. • Try to keep in mind that some locations and venues may be more difficult for particular faiths; office locations may be preferred.
- 27. Take Another Look What Would YOU Do # 2?
- 28. Additional Resources Conversation options: SustainedDialogue Civic Reflections Knowledge sessions Tanenbaum –Center for Interreligious Understanding
- 29. Stay in touch! ChaimShapiro, M.Ed Assistant Director Office of Career Services Touro College 718.252.7800 ext 375 http://www.linkedin.com/in/chaimshapiro Aisha Ghori Ozaki Manger, Inclusive Diversity Allstate Insurance aghor@allstate.com – 847.402.8090 www.linkedin.com/in/aishaghori