Religion and
Spirituality
Important Dates
1791
1963
1964
1972
1976
1987
2003
Bill of Rights-free exercise of religion
Supreme Court prohibits mandatory prayer in schools
Civil Rights Act, Title VII
Title VII amendment-ALL aspects
Jimmy Carter gets elected as president
Supreme Court-religious orgs can discriminate
Alabama S C must remove 10 Commandments monument
What’s the Business Case?
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Building morale
Encouraging inter-faith dialogue, helping
break down stereotypes, and avoiding
conflicts
Finding and building talent
Workplace Conflicts
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Agnostics and atheists
GLBTs
Muslims
Sikhs
Questions
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Should employees create religious employee-resource
groups in the workplace? What are the pros and cons for
the organizations of allowing this practice? (see charts pp.
145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 153)
Does encouraging interfaith organizations among
employees provide a competitive advantage for business?
If so, how?
What potential conflicts may arise in the workplace as a
result of the formation of the religious employee-resource
groups and/or interfaith organizations?
If tolerance for and education about difficult religions seem
to be in trend in today’s workplace, why has the number of
complaints filed with the EEOC risen steadily over the past
10 years? (see chart, p. 152)