Religion as a Workplace Issue: A Narrative Inquiry of Two People—One Muslim and the Other Christian

Abstract

This study explores the work perspective of two individuals who self-identify as religious and are employed in non-religious work responsibilities. Drawing on the perceptions and experiences of a Muslim and a Christian, this narrative study examines how religion affects intentions, perceptions, and work behavior. The procedure for implementing small-scale personalized narrative research consists of studying individuals through the collection of their lived stories. Using two interviews with a series of open-ended questions, two male participants disclose how their religion intersects with their working lives. With a focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, this study distinguishes religion as an important workplace issue. The narratives demonstrate how two people of faith negotiate their beliefs alongside their work life. With an expectation that employers understand and accommodate the religious identities and beliefs of their employees and perhaps even profit from those beliefs, the implications of this study are important for perceiving how religion and work can integrate productively.