Britain’s employers overwhelmingly respect employees’ religious beliefs and practices

The study, titled ‘Making Faith Work: Job Satisfaction in the UK’, authored by Dr Rakib Ehsan for IIFL shows that for people for whom religion is an important part of their identity, 73% feel that their employer respects their religious beliefs and accommodates their religious practices. Only 3% do not. 

The study also found that Brits who identify as more religious are more positive about work and their economic future, 77% say they are satisfied with their job and 77% trust their colleagues (the figures for atheists are 50% and 49% respectively).

Dr. Ehsan, senior research associate for IIFL and author of the report, says of the study’s findings:

“Britain’s world-leading anti-discrimination protections and considerable religious freedoms have fostered a broader workplace culture which is generally accommodating of those of faith.

The fact that religious Britons are notably more likely to be satisfied with their job than non-believers could be down to a number of factors.

There is mounting evidence that faith can contribute towards psychological resilience and mental strength. This can position one to better withstand the inevitable pressures that come with working life – in turn consolidating levels of job satisfaction.

It is also possible that employer accommodation of religious practices and spiritual beliefs plays a critical part in shaping job satisfaction among workers of faith. 

Overall, British employers are performing well on this front and that should be a source of national pride.”

The report has been produced by IIFL, a research forum examining the role that faith and religious belief plays in the lives of people in the UK, whether at work, at home, or in the community. 

For further information or commentary on the report, please contact Dr Rakib Ehsan, senior research associate. For further information on IIFL, please contact Dr Jake Scott, secretary for the Institute.