Career Advice - Religion at Work

Do Religion and the Workplace Mix?

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I have a small cross hanging in my cubicle, representing my religion (Catholicism). The other day, two of my co-workers commented that religion doesn't belong in the workplace, and that I should take my cross down to avoid offending other people. I was shocked; it is my personal space and it's not particularly obtrusive. I don't have clients visit my cube, just the occasional co-worker. Am I out of line having the cross there?

Sincerely,

Not a Fanatic

April Masini's advice:

Dear Not a Fanatic,

Religion doesn't really have a place in the office. Just as there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, there should be a separation of church and office in order to keep life at work simple. The problem with introducing any religious beliefs is that you may offend people with Jesus, Allah, Buddah -- or whom or whatever your particular religion allows or supports. It's fine for an employee to be a religious person. It's not okay for a religious person to turn the workplace into a mini-church, synagogue, mosque or any other religious area.

The trick here is moderation. It's professional to keep boundaries at work -- personal and otherwise. It's also natural to get to know personal aspects of people you work with over time. So wishing someone a great Ramadan or a Happy Easter is polite. But practicing religion in the workplace runs the risk of alienating others. A small cross is likely not offending many, but if it is causing a lot of uproar, it's probably best that you take it down and keep it in a more concealed place.

Spirituality is fine in the workplace as long as it doesn't invoke the name of God or any gods or a particular religion. In fact, celebrating the spirit of a person, a company or an industry is actually a great way to get employees involved, informed and motivated.