Initial findings from a case study of an organization in Sydney: managing religious practices

Purpose: This study examines Muslim religious practices in Australian workplaces to determine whether these practices cause cultural conflict in the workplace, identifies the main problems faced by Muslim workers, and investigates managers’ responses to these issues. Originality: This is the first empirical study about religious diversity (primarily Muslims) in Australian workplaces that examines the conflict claimed in news reports and some literature and examines diversity polices at different levels. Design/methodology/approach: Primary data consist of an online survey and in-depth interviews with Muslim employees and their managers. A literature review, diversity polices, and government reports are used as secondary data. Findings: Although the researcher has not yet finished collecting the primary data, some findings have emerged: Muslim employees in the case study believe that religious conflict prevents them from practicing their faith in the workplaces—for whatever reasons—or forces them to attend events that do not fit their faith; Unlike what is documented in the literature, for example, “Muslim employees in non-Muslim countries such as Australia are facing some restrictions in expressing their faith in the workplace,” Muslim employees in the case study currently do not face restrictions in the expression of their faith. There was no clear conflict, even though all of them described themselves as practicing Muslims, because managers have provided accommodation and, along with Muslim employees, consider religion a private matter.