Negative attitudes towards Muslims have grown in the decades since 9/11, leading to a rise in hate crimes and discrimination, and the workplace is no exception. Studies show Muslims in the UK are less likely to be hired or promoted compared to any other social group.

Dr Rami Al-Sharif, from the Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour Cluster, set out to understand how British Muslim professionals navigate these challenges while staying true to their faith. His research focused on skilled Muslim employees working in IT consultancy, financial services, engineering, and healthcare.

Through in-depth interviews, the study developed a new model explaining how Muslims respond to workplace stigma. A key finding is that despite facing bias, many choose authenticity, being open and proud of their religious identity. The research also found that Muslims in senior positions often have more influence and control over workplace fairness.

Interestingly, equality, diversity, and inclusion policies were not the primary driver of authenticity. Instead, it came from within, rooted in personal faith. However, these policies still matter. They serve as a signal of whether an organisation is a good fit, and employers who are not seen as inclusive risk losing valuable talent.

This work is a call for organisations to go beyond box-ticking. Genuine religious accommodation and inclusive practices can help create workplaces where everyone feels they belong.

For further information, please contact business-school-research@glasgow.ac.uk 

First published: 14 October 2024

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