An ebook I found on EBSCO, titled “Religion and the Workplace: Pluralism, Spirituality, and Leadership” by Douglas A. Hicks is composed of 3 parts totaling 9 chapters, so I decided to focus my reading on Part II called “Mapping religion and the workplace.” Chapters 5 and 6 explore topics like how advocates of secular workplace views try to block all religious speech or actions from entering the office, but then it goes on to discuss the interpretations of the First Amendment and accepting any religion in the workplace. It is said that in a free market economy, companies do not hold monopolistic power over their employees. In fact, it is difficult for many employees to completely leave their religious and spiritual beliefs behind in the office, and workplaces that accomodate this statement are able to address the needs of their employees more efficiently and and humanely. Additionally, public life impacts the workplace as the article explains. Religion plays many roles in American society, and many employees who are Christians have admitted that they receive or have received preferential treatment at work and in society. These current discussions of spirituality tend to marginalize those who are atheists or adherents of many religious backgrounds, causing those who feel pressured by society to divorce their religious / spiritual commitments from all aspects of their public lives.
Link:
http://libezproxy.syr.edu.libezproxy2.syr.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=120536&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_162
Citation:
Hicks, D. A. (2003). Religion and the Workplace : Pluralism, Spirituality, Leadership. Cambridge University Press.
Sounds like an interesting addition to the conversation, Sam. As you continue, help us to understand the author’s background and their project a bit more–who is Hicks, and what is his objective with this text? who’s the audience? Understanding what the source *is* will help us to better understand why and how it’s valuable.