Hindu employees in the UK could not express their religious identity freely

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – “Religion Media Center” reported the global diversity and inclusion business consultancy, Pearn Kandola, says its recent research into Hindus in the British workforce, has found that many do not feel that they are able to express their faith openly. “Religion at Work: Experiences of Hindu Employees” is the first in a series of reports looking at religious expression in the workplace, with others covering Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism. The qualitative research involving 527 UK Hindu employees, said 38 per cent had a request to take annual leave to celebrate a religious festival rejected; 32 per cent did not feel comfortable discussing religious festivals at work; 93 per cent of those who wear religious dress chose not to do so at work.

There was a fear that speaking openly about their faith at work would bring consequences and many could not express their religious identity freely. The Hindu employees wanted more education, training and awareness courses to understand more about Hindu festivals and practices.