Religious discrimination is rapidly increasing in most places nowadays. Claims to discriminations are being reported in the authorities almost every day. This is not a new concept in workplace history as it has always been problematic in many institutions whereby employers treat workers unfairly simply because of practices of a particular. This is unacceptable and should be discouraged at all workplace avenues.
Although there are bodies entitled to deal with such misconducts, managers and supervisors should also ensure that there is zero tolerance to religious discrimination where they manage. This will ensure that employees who hold different religious beliefs are not looked down upon by others. Sometimes this discrimination occurs due to lack of know-how of what religious judgment is. In order to eradicate it here are some ways on how to eradicate religious discrimination in the workplace.
To begin with, the management should ensure all the employees, as well as employers, are fully aware that discrimination due to religion is a claim. New managers should consult with experienced human resource personnel in case they are faced with a situation that is religious-based and is difficult to handle. Additionally, the management should ensure that they hold frequent training to enlighten employees and managers issues regarding religious discriminations and the reprimands that one can face if they are found, victims. This will make them shun away from such misconduct especially to new employees who are not aware of their work regulation authorities which protect them from such harassment.
Similarly, in order to reduce religious discrimination, employees should have good and equal hiring opportunities for all candidates. For instance, they need to have written objective criteria for evaluating candidates for hire. They should have a non-discrimination treatment asking similar questions for all applicants regards of their gender, race, or religion basis. They should not be biased in their choice criteria. This ensures that they get people from different denominations that should be trained to relate with each other irrespective of their religious beliefs and practices.
Another important measure to reduce religious discrimination in providing reasonable accommodations for religious expressions. For example, a company should have an anti-harassment policy. All employees and employers should be fully aware of it. The policy should be placed at a strategic place where everybody can read as they carry on their daily routines. Also, the management should allow various religious expressions that do not interfere with the objectives of the company for example dress codes. Internal procedures and polices when being stipulated should accommodate various religious groups. This will ensure that religious policies are upheld and the rate of conflicts will be reduced greatly.
Lastly, harassment claims should be investigated promptly when reported. In case an incidence of discrimination is witnessed; immediate measures should be taken to deal with the situation as stipulated in the policy. This will prevent the occurrence of such scenarios in the future. However, if severe action is not taken instantly, this discrimination will be severe and it can also affect the performance of workers at the workplace. This is because if the work environment of an employee is not conducive then they will not be productive.
