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Religious conflict on the rise in French workplace, study finds | Religious conflict on the rise in French workplace, study finds |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The presence of religion in workplaces is rising in France, with 65 percent of employees saying they’ve noticed it, according to new research. | The presence of religion in workplaces is rising in France, with 65 percent of employees saying they’ve noticed it, according to new research. |
The study was published on Thursday by the Observatory for Religion in the Workplace (OFRE) and the Randstad Institute. A total of 1,405 people participated, and all religions were taken into account. | The study was published on Thursday by the Observatory for Religion in the Workplace (OFRE) and the Randstad Institute. A total of 1,405 people participated, and all religions were taken into account. |
"The 2016 survey by Randstad Institute and OFRE shows a significant increase of religion in business,” says Laurent Morestain, secretary general of the Randstad France group and president of the Randstad Institute for Equal Opportunities and Sustainable Development. | "The 2016 survey by Randstad Institute and OFRE shows a significant increase of religion in business,” says Laurent Morestain, secretary general of the Randstad France group and president of the Randstad Institute for Equal Opportunities and Sustainable Development. |
Last year, the same survey showed 50 percent, so the jump is significant. | Last year, the same survey showed 50 percent, so the jump is significant. |
Among those polled, 21 percent said they saw people wearing religious symbols, 18 percent said they’d heard people ask for time off work for religious reasons, and 8 percent saw people praying during breaks. | Among those polled, 21 percent said they saw people wearing religious symbols, 18 percent said they’d heard people ask for time off work for religious reasons, and 8 percent saw people praying during breaks. |
"The majority of the time, these instances do not hinder work," Lionel Honoré, director of the OFRE, told French newspaper Le Figaro. | "The majority of the time, these instances do not hinder work," Lionel Honoré, director of the OFRE, told French newspaper Le Figaro. |
Nevertheless, religion can lead to some serious disagreements, too, the survey found – conflicts were up from 6 percent in 2014 to 9 percent this year. | |
"Issues related to the place of religions and religious attitudes in society have become sensitive in recent years. Therefore, behaviors and situations with a direct or indirect religious dimension are more and more quickly identified," the authors of the study said, as quoted by French media outlet Le Telegramme. | "Issues related to the place of religions and religious attitudes in society have become sensitive in recent years. Therefore, behaviors and situations with a direct or indirect religious dimension are more and more quickly identified," the authors of the study said, as quoted by French media outlet Le Telegramme. |
The cause of conflict in some instances was identified as men refusing to work with female bosses, with this reported in 4 percent of the cases – while 1 percent refused outright to work with someone of a different religion. | The cause of conflict in some instances was identified as men refusing to work with female bosses, with this reported in 4 percent of the cases – while 1 percent refused outright to work with someone of a different religion. |
Employees have also become more knowledgeable about their rights regarding religion, they added. | Employees have also become more knowledgeable about their rights regarding religion, they added. |
"Employees come together to impose their prayers during work, they adapt places as prayer rooms, lobby the manager, accusing him of Islamophobia ... Take it seriously because it is not a question of behavior, it is a challenge for the Republican law, and one should be very firm," says Honoré. | "Employees come together to impose their prayers during work, they adapt places as prayer rooms, lobby the manager, accusing him of Islamophobia ... Take it seriously because it is not a question of behavior, it is a challenge for the Republican law, and one should be very firm," says Honoré. |
However, it's important to note that religion hasn’t become taboo at work, as the research stated almost 80 percent of respondents generally know the religion of their colleagues. | |
Also, 82 percent are not embarrassed by the topic of religion, even if discomfort is clearly increasing (18 percent against 8 percent last year). | Also, 82 percent are not embarrassed by the topic of religion, even if discomfort is clearly increasing (18 percent against 8 percent last year). |
In addition, 70 percent of respondents consider religion to be a topic that occupies a significant place in relations between colleagues. | In addition, 70 percent of respondents consider religion to be a topic that occupies a significant place in relations between colleagues. |
The report’s findings come after the French government announced the issuan of a guide to religion, set to be published next month. | |
In the guide, 39 specific cases of conflict will be demonstrated, with a guideline about what to do in each situation. | In the guide, 39 specific cases of conflict will be demonstrated, with a guideline about what to do in each situation. |
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