Recorded presentation

Jasmine Hall, MHA, Missouri Foundation for Health, 1000 St. Louis Union Station, Grand Central Building Suite 400, Saint Louis, MO 63103, 314-345-5537, jhall@mffh.org

The increase in cultural diversity in our nation has also led to an increase in religious diversity. As a result, healthcare organizations around the nation have begun to recognize the fact that an increasing number of their employees are bringing their religious beliefs into the office. It used to be the silent workplace rule that the two things you do not discuss in the office are religion and politics. However, this rule is increasingly being broken and as a result, those with religious beliefs are suing to be able to practice their beliefs in the workplace. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects not only sex and race, but also addresses religion. Under Title VII, employers must accommodate employees’ religious beliefs unless doing so would create undue hardship on employers. In addition, Title VII protects employees from religious harassment, not only towards non-believers but also towards believers who may be in the minority. To address religious diversity in an organization, administrators should assess the organization as well as the external environment and if necessary, implement religious diversity training. This paper addresses the impact of religious diversity in health care organizations, including the legal aspects of religious beliefs in the workplace and outlines the steps towards introducing a religious diversity program, thus enabling the organization to further identify with employees, stakeholders, and the surrounding community.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

(
• Identify religious diversity among employees in the healthcare setting; (
• Learn and analyze the legal aspects of religious beliefs and religious harassment; (
• Assess requests of employee accommodations based on religious belief; (
• Construct and implement a religious diversity training program.

Keywords: Religion, Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation