Incentive - January 2009 - (Page 31)

LFAITH EP A OF By Carol Patton Respecting workers’ religions takes only a little effort, but can make a big difference I t’s not unusual to see some employees at Ford Motor Co. leave their cubicles several times a day, walk to a conference room in their office building and do something that was once considered unthinkable in the workplace: pray. More than five years ago, the automaker designated several conference rooms as prayer or meditation rooms in its office buildings in Dearborn, Mich. Close to each room is also a washroom facility, exclusively used by Muslim employees and others who engage in ceremonial washing of their hands and feet before praying. Roughly 40 percent of Dearborn’s residents are Arab American, many of whom are Muslims. At Ford, they can also arrange with their supervisor to take advantage of flexible work schedules, coordinating their work with prayer times at the local mosque. To make up for any lost time, some may stay late, come in early, or take a vacation or personal day. How times have changed. Years ago, religion in the workplace was almost nonexistent, outside of the Christmas tree or seasonal decorations. But employers are now making all sorts of religious-based accommodations, believing that there’s no greater power that can increase job satisfaction, recruitment and retention. Spiritual Awakening Over the last decade, there has been a spiritual renaissance in this country, partly due to the increase in immigration and changing perceptions of the workforce, says David Tulin, principal at Global Lead, an international diversity consultancy based in Cincinnati. As more immigrants move to the United States, he explains they bring religious practices and beliefs that are native to their country or culture. So Catholics from Mexico may practice different rituals than Catholics from El Salvador, he says, adding that there’s not only a diversity of religions within the workplace, but also an increased expression of diversity within religions. The trend also reflects new employee priorities, especially by baby boomers who are examining the meaning of their life, he says. At the same time, many Gen Xers and Gen Yers are rejecting the 60-hour workweek, which was invented by baby boomers. All three generations now value balancing work with their family life and spiritual needs. “There’s increased needs and incentivemag.com | January 2009 | Incentive | 31 http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - January 2009

Incentive - January 2009 Contents Editor's Note: Rewards Must Be Sustainable Headlines Cover Story: Responsibility's New Role Incentive Interview: Patrick Lencioni Family Rewards: Who They're Working For Primer: Working Design Leap of Faith: Religion in the Workplace Cook Up Engagement: Kitchen Teambuilding My Turn: Procurement Possibilities Motivation@Work: Hard Times Recognition Legal Ease: The Tax Facts on Corporate Gifts Travel News: Where to Go and What to Do The Bahamas: Islands in the Sun Field Reports: Four European Destinations Golf: Around the World in 18 Holes Potentials Here and Now Watches and Clocks: Strike the Pose Golf Merchandise: Awards with a Solid Swing Computers: Digital Delights Retailers Band Together for Gift Card Market Gift Cards: The Prepaid Reward Spectrum Advertiser Index On the Web www.Incentivemag.com

Incentive - January 2009

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