Culture and Religion in the Workplace

Culture and Religion in the Workplace

Fortunately, it is now recognised by many employers that in the UK,the standard working week and provisions for public holidays have,legitimately, been influenced by the traditions and religious needs ofChristianity. For example, a devout Christian can observe the festivalsof their faith without conflict with the demands of the workplace.However, should there be employees who observe other religions, anemployer may need to exercise flexibility over public holiday datesand working arrangements.

A good employer will respectfully seekinformation from their culturally and religiouslyobservant employees about timings of majorevents and festivals.

With advance notice of such dates, arrangements for time off forcelebration can be made without leading to serious disruption in theworkplace.

As an employer, it makes sound business sense to employ people onthe basis of their talents and to target goods and services at allsections of the community. As a result, an appreciation of the diversityof cultures and religions practised in the UK today is crucial forbusiness success.

This document illustrates basic information about this host of religiousand cultural lifestyles.

Religion and culture are inextricably linked since religious belief andpractice have a profound impact on lifestyle and cultural events.

It is hoped that the information contained herein will help you tomake the most of your diverse workforce, and effectively target yourgoods and services at the wealth of communities in our diversesociety.

Introduction

Dietary RequirementsMany cultures and religions have precise rules relating to thepreparation and consumption of food. As an employer, it isrecommended that your catering staff bear in mind some of thesesensitive dietary restrictions and cater for all staff insofar as isreasonably practicable in the workplace.

The LawThe Race Relations Act (1976) specifically outlaws discrimination onracial grounds. In 1984, the Commission for Racial Equality publishedan advisory document entitled ‘The Code of Practice for theElimination of Racial Discrimination and the Promotion of Equalityof Opportunity in Employment’. This code is not legally binding butit does assist employers to achieve good practice.

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Christianity is divided into four principal denominations: Orthodox,Pentecostal, Protestant and Roman Catholic. However all Christiansbelieve that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God who lived on earthas a human being, was crucified as part of God’s plan for redeemingthe sins of mankind, and then rose from the dead. For Christians,Jesus is the saviour of the human race.

Holy Communion - also referred to as the Mass, the Eucharist andthe Lord’s Supper - is a pivotal aspect of Christian worship.Worshippers consume bread and wine as a token of the body andblood of Christ sacrificed for human sins.

Christianity originated in the Middle East and isnow over 2000 years old

The Christian in the WorkplaceIn spite of the fact that the standard working week and publicholidays have been influenced by the traditions and religiousobservances of Christianity, employers should note that currentworking patterns, coupled with the amendment to the Sundaytrading law, could make it problematic for practising Christians tomeet their religious commitments.

The two festivals of Easter and Christmas are prominent in theChristian calendar. Easter, the most important celebration,commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. The date for Easter variesyear to year.

Dietary RequirementsChristian dietary habits tend to be culturally rather than religiouslydetermined. However, some African and South Asian Christians mayavoid pork. Alcohol is forbidden according to some Christian groups,although, as previously mentioned, drinking wine (in moderation)plays a symbolic religious role in Holy Communion.

Dress CodeThere are no religious laws governing dress code. Christians will wearclothes according to their cultural or national origin. As a result, itwould not be out of the ordinary to see a South Asian Christianwoman wearing a shalwar kameez or sari. Some conservativeEuropean Christians ascertain that women must wear hats in church.

Christian Beliefs and Practices

Christianity originated in the Middle East and is now over 2000 yearsold. Christians believe in one God and that God revealed Himself tomankind as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is also believed that he has revealed Himself through the Bible andthrough His Son, Jesus Christ.

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Culture and Religion in the Workplace

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Hindu Beliefs and Practices

The term ‘Hinduism’ is used to describe the ancient religious culture ofIndia. This culture is over 5,000 years old and is practised by countlessmillions.

Hinduism has neither a single founder, nor a single scripture that isuniquely authoritative.

However, the Bhagavad Gita (song of the Lord) is usually regarded asthe most sacred piece of revelation. A great many Hindus worshipmany Gods and Goddesses, but some claim to ultimately worshiponly one God.

Hindus support fully the notion of reincarnation and that behaviourin this life determines your moral status in the next. There is also acaste system which was introduced by the supreme deity, Brahman.This system is intended to create a just but hierarchical society inwhich different groups have different hereditary rights.

Hindu worship is a private matter for eachindividual. A devout Hindu will usually worshipin their own home in a room specifically setaside for this purpose. They will also celebrate,along with their community, many religiousand cultural festivals.

The Hindu in the WorkplaceHindus celebrate many festivals and are particularly zealous tocelebrate Deepawal (also known as Divali), the autumn festival oflights that also marks the start of the new financial year. Preceding

this festival by a day is the Laxmi-Puja festival where the goddess ofwealth is invited into the home. The goddess Laxmi blesses thefamily to make the future of the household auspicious for thefollowing year.

Dietary RequirementsHindus uphold the sacredness of all life, including animal life. DevoutHindus will neither eat meat nor fish. Some will not eat eggs. Eventhose Hindus who have decided to eat meat will nonetheless refuseto eat beef since the cow is seen as a sacred animal. Hinduismforbids the consumption of alcohol. Garlic and onions are thought tobe foods discarded by the gods. Strictly orthodox Hindus will not eatfood prepared by someone not belonging to the same level of casteas themselves.

Dress CodeHindus don’t observe any specific cultural dress with stringency. Theywill gladly wear clothes from other countries, including Westernattire. However, Hindu men typically wear a pyjama (narrowtrousers) and kurta, which is a loose fitting shirt. Women often weara sari, a long piece of material wrapped around the body. MarriedHindu women wear a bindi - a red powder spot marked on theforehead.

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Muslims must witness publicly to the unity of God and theprophethood of Muhammad. This is the first pillar of faith. Theremaining compulsory faiths are: five obligatory scheduled dailyprayers, fasting in the holy month of Ramadhan, payment of thealms tax annually and the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca once in alifetime (finances permitting).

Muslims celebrate several religious festivals.The Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the end of the monthof abstinence observed in Ramadhan.

The Eid-ul-Adha, celebrated approximately 70days after Eid-ul-Fitr, is centred around thesacrificing of animals and the distribution ofmeat to the needy.

The Muslim in the WorkplaceDevout Muslims pray at dawn (Fajr), in the early afternoon (Zuhr),late afternoon (Asr), at sunset (Maghrib) and late in the evening(Isha). The believer must perform ablutions before prayers cancommence. Depending on the time of year, the number of prayersfalling within normal working hours varies from one in the summerto three during the winter.

Male Muslims are enjoined to attend the midday congregationalprayer on Fridays in a communal setting. Every Muslim adult isrequired to fast in Ramadhan. They must abstain from food, drinkand sex from dawn to sunset for one lunar month. Women who are

pregnant, nursing or menstruating and those on a journey areexempt from fasting, as are people who are ill and whose conditionwill worsen by fasting.

Missed fasts must be made up at a later date. The month ofRamadhan, based on the lunar calendar may fall at any time of theyear.

Some Muslims may apply for leave in order to perform thepilgrimage to Mecca during the Hajj season.

Dietary RequirementsIn Islam, all food is classified as either halal (lawful) or haram(prohibited). Religious law requires that animals be slaughtered by atrained person in the name of God. An animal should not be stunnedbefore slaughter; a quick deep stroke of a sharp knife across thethroat is required. Pork and alcohol are absolutely forbidden.

It should be borne in mind that utensils used to serve haram foodcannot be used on halal food.

Dress CodeBoth men and women are required to dress and behave modestly.Once a young woman reaches puberty, she must cover her hair andwear loose flowing opaque garments, which conceal the shape of herbody. This style of dress (hijab) must be practised in the presence ofall men except those with whom a woman is forbidden to marry,such as her father or brothers. Men should also dress modestly.Western clothes may be worn as long as they fulfil the criterion ofmodesty.

Muslim Beliefs and Practices

Muslims believe that there is only one God, Allah, and that the ProphetMuhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was his final messenger. The Quranand Sunnah together provide an authoritative source for Muslim law(Shariah).

Culture and Religion in the Workplace

According to Orthodox Judaism, 613commandments (or mitzvot) lie at the heart ofthe halakha. God in the Torah gave some ofthese, while others were added by the rabbisand derived from ancient Jewish customs. Apartfrom the written Torah, there is a verbal Torahthat is an attempt to understand and apply thewritten version.

Jews celebrate many religious and cultural festivals associated withsignificant historical events in Jewish history. The Passovercommemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt.Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. It coincides with thebeginning of the Ten Days of Repentance. The last of these days isthe Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the holiest day in the Jewishcalendar. The Sabbath (Shabbat) is a day of complete rest and startson Friday immediately before dusk and ends after dusk on Saturday.

Jewish Beliefs and Practices

Judaism originated in the Middle East and is based on the belief in oneGod. According to Torah, the central scripture for Jews, God is holy andunmitigated. He is omnipotent, omniscient and eternal. The rules andtraditions an observant Jew follows are known collectively as thehalakha (the path).

The Jew in the WorkplaceThe halakah necessitates Jews to refrain from work on the Sabbath.Therefore, a practising Jew must be able to leave work in sufficienttime to arrive home by the start of the Sabbath.Apart from the weekly Sabbath, there are 21 holy days in the Jewishcalendar: Passover (8 days); Pentecost (2 days); New Year (2 days);Day of Atonement (1 day); Simchat Torah (1 day) and Tabernacles (7days). All festivals commence immediately before dusk and may fallon any day of the week.

Dietary RequirementsJews are religiously obliged to eat kosher food. That is to say that adevout Jew can only eat certain types of meat and fish. Meat mustbe prepared in a ritually acceptable manner. Meat and dairy productsmust not be eaten in the same meal. Pork is forbidden to Jews.

Dress CodeIt is imperative that practising Jewish men keep their head coveredat all times generally by wearing a Kippah (skull cap). OrthodoxJewish women are required to dress modestly.

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The last guru declared that after him, therewould be no other gurus. The Guru GranthSahib, the Sikh holy book, would be viewed asthe eternal guru.

For Sikhs, the Granth Sahib is the focal point of a Sikh temple(Gurdwara) and the ultimate source of religious authority. A devoutSikh will observe the five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair); Kangar (small woodencomb); Kara (steel bracelet); Kirpin (small dagger) and Kancha(shorts).

The Sikh in the WorkplaceSikhs celebrate several religious festivals that combine a cultural andreligious significance. The central festival is Vaisakhi, a dualcelebration incorporating both a harvest festival and acommemoration of Guru Gobind Singh’s creation of the Khalsa, thepure brotherhood of Sikhs. Sikhs celebrate Diwali, the festival oflights. They also celebrate these main anniversaries: Guru Nanak’s

birthday; Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday and the day of theMartyrdom of Guru Arjan Devji.

Dietary RequirementsSikhism forbids smoking and the consumption of alcohol. A devoutSikh will neither eat eggs, nor any animal by-product. Many Sikhs donot eat meat either. Sikhs regard the cow as a sacred animal and thepig is thought to be dirty - hence the prohibition of pork.

Dress CodeSikh men are religiously required to wear turbans to cover theiruncut hair. Should she choose, a Sikh woman may also wear aturban. Young Sikh boys will wear their long hair tied in a topknot.The five Ks will be worn on the person: some will be visible, such asthe Kesh (uncut hair covered by a turban) and Kara (steel bracelet),while others, such as the Kirpan (sword) and Kachcha (shorts) will beworn under the clothes. Some married women, like their Hinducounterparts, may also wear a bindi - a red powder spot marked onthe forehead.

Sikh Beliefs and Practices

Around 500 years old, Sikhism emerged as a result of the teachings ofGuru Nanak in India. Guru Nanak’s aim was to encourage all people tofaithfully worship one God. The fundamentals of the religion were thenfurther developed by a continuous line of nine gurus (teachers) whosucceeded him.

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Culture and Religion in the Workplace

Rastafarianism has now become more of acultural ‘Back to Africa’ mass movement. Itsbeliefs are based on the Bible and Rastasinterpret the Bible as an account of Rastafarianhistory.

According to Rastas, when the 12 tribes of Israel were scattered, thespirit of the Lord went to Ethiopia; the Ethiopians became a chosenpeople. Ethiopia is seen as the Promised Land to which all blackpeople will one day return.

The Rastafarian in the WorkplaceRastafarians neither celebrate Christmas nor New Year. However,they do celebrate the birthday of the Emperor Haile Selassie on 23July. Ordinarily, Rastafarians would wish to take annual leave on thisdate.

Dietary RequirementsRastafarian dietary requirements are based on Old Testamenthygienic laws. Some Rastafarians eat only ital foods - foods that arepure and untainted, or otherwise natural. Milk, coffee and alcohol areall forbidden beverages. Rastas refuse to eat pork, lamb and someseafood. Many Rastas are vegetarian.

Dress CodeAn orthodox Rasta will wear their hair in long flowing locks knownas dreadlocks. To cut it is viewed as sinful. The dreadlocks symbolisethe values of respect, power, freedom and defiance. Rastas covertheir hair at all times. Rasta women keep their legs covered. SomeRastas will proudly wear the Star of David. The colours red, black,green and yellow hold special significance for a committedRastafarian.

Rastafarian Beliefs and Practices

Originating in Jamaica in 1930, Rastafarianism is a religious andcultural movement that has many links with the Jewish and Christianfaiths. The original devotees to Rastafarianism, known in short asRastas, were Jamaicans led by Marcus Garvey, a charismatic Jamaicanleader. He prophesised the crowning of Haile Selassie as King, God andsaviour of the black people of the world. Ras (meaning Lord), Tafari (afamily name) was the prince who, in 1930, was crowned Emperor HaileSelassie I of Ethiopia, King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

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He became the ‘Buddha’ (‘enlightened one’). Buddhism can be eithera religion or a philosophy. It teaches that “the cessation of suffering,which is caused by desire, is enlightenment.’’ This enlightened stateis called Nirvana.

Meditation and chanting are important toBuddhists, although not all Buddhists do eitheror both.

There are estimated to be as many as 665 million practisingBuddhists worldwide. Buddhism spread to China around thebeginning of the Christian era and it is still a major religious andcultural influence in China.

The religion arrived in Japan about 1,000 years after the time ofBuddha. About three quarters of the Japanese population areBuddhist.

Tibetan Buddhism is considered the mostauthentic form because of Tibet’s long

isolation; the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leaderof Tibetan Buddhists.

The Buddhist in the WorkplaceHolidays for sects from Myanmar, Cambodia, India, Laos, Thailandand Sri Lanka include “Versakha Puja” or “Buddha Day,’” which is themost sacred day and falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month;and “Magha Puja,” which falls on the full moon of the third lunarmonth.

For the Mahayana sect from China, Japan, Tibet, Korea and Vietnam,holidays include “Nirvana Day,” which celebrates the originalBuddha’s attainment of Enlightenment and “Bodhi Day,” whichcelebrates the enlightenment of Buddha under the Bodhi tree.

Dietary RequirementsBuddhists advocate vegetarianism but it is not obligatory.

Dress CodeThere are no religious laws governing specific dress code.

Buddhist Beliefs and Practices

Buddhism is more than 2,500 years old and has more than 2,000 sects.It developed in North India in the 6th or 5th century BC, whenSiddharthe Gautama attained ‘enlightenment’ - the ultimate truth bywhich people are freed from the cycle of re-birth.

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Culture and Religion in the Workplace

There are a number of beliefs that are seen as complementing eachother: ‘Confucianism’, ‘Taoism’, ‘Buddhism’ and ‘Popular Religion’(which are practised amongst Chinese communities around theworld and are communal in nature - participating in annual festivals,rather than doctrinal and theological). Confucianism, a major systemof thought in China, developed from the teachings of Confucias andhis disciples, concerned with the principles of good conduct, practicalwisdom, and proper social relationships. Confucianism has influencedthe Chinese attitude toward life, set the patterns of living andstandards of social value, and provided the background for Chinesepolitical theories and institutions. It has spread from China to Korea,Japan and Vietnam and has aroused interest among Westernscholars.

Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy, whichpromotes living simply and in harmony with

nature, and going with the flow. Taoists believethat by following the natural world, pursuing astrict diet and meditation regime and notstruggling with their lot, they can achieve innercalm, improved health and great martial power.

Dietary RequirementsChinese dietary habits tend to be culturally rather than religiouslydetermined.

Dress CodeThere are no religious laws governing specific dress code. Chinesepeople will wear clothes according to their culture.

Chinese Beliefs and Practices

Chinese people do not, in general, feel that they must choose onereligion or philosophy and reject the others. They may choosewhatever seems more suitable or helpful - whether at home or inpublic life.

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Culture and Religion in the Workplace

LSC 2001. Published by the Learning and Skills Council.

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Finally...

There is no reason why a culturally andreligiously observant employee shouldnot carry out their job with completeconfidence and competence.

Should you require further informationplease contact the Commission forRacial Equality on 0113 3893 600.