The latest study shows that, on key metrics, British Muslims are more satisfied, more trusting and feel more comfortable at work than the general public:
- 75% are satisfied with their current job, compared to 64% for the general public.
- 77% feel positive about how their employer respects their religious beliefs and accommodates their religious practices – compared to just 58% for Christians.
- 76% trust their work colleagues and professional contacts, compared to 64% for the general public.
- 44% believe the UK economy’s best days lie ahead, compared to just 24% of the general public.
A crossfaith panel composed of representatives from each of Britain’s major monotheistic faiths celebrated the success and further potential benefits of embracing religion in the workplace at the launch event for IIFL on Tuesday, 28th November 2023.
The panel featured Dr. Rakib Ehsan, a Sunni Muslim from Luton and the senior research associate for IIFL, and Khuzema Khanbhai, a Muslim from the Dawoodi Bohra branch from Manchester.
Dr. Rakib Ehsan, when discussing the findings of the report, says:
“The findings suggest that British Muslims enjoy higher levels of work-related well-being than the wider public in the UK.
As a religious group, they are more likely to trust their work colleagues and report job satisfaction. Compared to their Christian peers, Muslims in the UK feel more positively about how their employer accommodates their religious practices and beliefs.
Such is the relative strength of patriotic optimism among British Muslims, they are nearly twice as likely as the wider public that the UK economy’s best days lie ahead.
While improvements can be made in tackling anti-Muslim prejudice in the labour market, the UK’s robust anti-discrimination protections and considerable religious freedoms means it has fostered a broader workplace culture which is generally accommodating of faith.”
Khuzema Khanbhai, who owns an import-export business, commented on his own experiences as a business owner:
“Sharing a celebration of faith in the workplace means we are able to create a more inclusive environment and encourage stronger team-building. In Islam, we live by a code of ethics about respecting and trusting one another that translates very well into the world of work.
In my community especially, we live by the attitude that, it’s not that you’ve “got” to go to work, but you “get” to go to work.”
The event launched the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (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 any further information or commentary on the report, please contact Dr Rakib Ehsan, senior research associate. For further information on IIFL, the event or a comment from the panellists, please contact Dr Jake Scott, secretary for the Institute.
For any further information or commentary on the report, please contact Dr Jake Scott, secretary for the Institute.
Dr Jake Scott
jake.scott@iifl.org.uk
+44 (0) 7490 190 652
Notes for editors:
- The report (available here) is based on a nationally-representative survey conducted by TechneUK, a British Polling Council member.
- Fieldwork for the survey took place between the 29th of September and the 8th of October 2023.
- 2,004 UK adults were surveyed across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Of this sample, 151 self-reported as Muslim.
- Respondents were surveyed on various aspects of their approach and attitude to work. Of those who say their religious background is important to their personal identity:
- 73% say that their employer respects their religious beliefs and accommodates their religious practices. Only 3% do not.
- 77% say they trust their colleagues, compared to 59% of atheists.
- 77% say they are satisfied with their job, compared to 50% of atheists.
- 35% say they are optimistic about the future of the UK economy, compared to 16% of atheists.
- Dr Rakib Ehsan is a Sunni Muslim from Luton, and the senior research associate for IIFL.
- Dr Jake Scott is an Anglican Christian from Rugby, and the secretary for IIFL.
- Angus Taylor is a Modern Orthodox Jew from London, and teaches Tort Law at the University of Cambridge.
- Khuzema Khanbhai is a Dawoodi Bohra Muslim from Manchester, and runs an import-export business.
- Dr Solomon Osagie is an Elim Pentecostal Christian from Kent, and is a General Counsel at a UK bank.