Why Faith is Good for the Workplace

This article was originally published on HeinzSight with Chris Heinz.

I lead Human Resources for an automotive retail group. A few weeks ago, our company held a meeting that brought together coworkers from different regions. Before the meeting, several of us who share a connection through our faith gathered for breakfast. We listened to a Bible teaching, shared our thoughts, and prayed together. It was a wonderful way to start the day and set a positive tone for the rest of our time together.

This experience reminded me of religion and spirituality’s profound impact on our work lives. As a Christian, I’m interested in aligning my faith with my everyday work, but as an HR leader, I’m also interested in the benefits of faith in the workplace. Is faith neutral to business performance, or might it actually help? What impact might faith have on employee engagement, productivity, and culture?

To explore this question, let’s examine three studies highlighting religion’s benefits in the workplace. We’ll explore how religion enhances wellbeing, boosts motivation, and offers practical implications for organizations. We’ll also share quotes from my colleagues on the impact that expressing faith at work has on them.

One senior manager said, “Being able to talk about faith with coworkers creates a positive, welcoming environment where those who choose to open up can be themselves. It fosters genuine connections, encouragement, and a sense of belonging, making working relationships more meaningful and uplifting.”

First, religion and spirituality have a remarkable ability to enhance our overall wellbeing. Gallup World Poll data from 2012-2022 show that people who consider religion necessary in their daily lives report higher levels of positive emotions, social life satisfaction, and community engagement. This isn’t just a small difference; each one-point increase in wellbeing indexes represents an estimated 40 million adults worldwide experiencing better wellbeing.

Religious practices provide a strong sense of community and social support. Whether through regular worship gatherings, community service, or simply the comfort of shared beliefs, religion helps individuals feel connected and supported. This social support is crucial in helping people cope with stress and challenges, leading to improved mental and emotional health.

Another colleague, a senior director, said, “Working with people of faith brings a deeper sense of purpose, trust, and integrity to every interaction. When values align, collaboration becomes more than just business—it becomes a mission to serve, uplift, and create lasting impact.”

Second, religion not only enhances personal wellbeing but also plays a significant role in boosting work motivation and performance. Research indicates that individuals with religious affiliations tend to be more motivated, committed, and engaged in their work.

For example, the study Work Motivation: The Roles of Individual Needs and Social Conditions by Thuy Thi Diem Vo, Kristine Velasquez Tuliao, and Chung-Wen Chen found that attachment to religious principles increases motivation to achieve organizational goals. This is because religious principles often align with the virtues of hard work, integrity, and dedication.

Similarly, the study Religion, Spirituality, and the Workplace: A Review and Critique by Bryan J. Dik, Denise Daniels, and Alexandra J. Alayan highlights that religious affiliation promotes the satisfaction of core psychological needs. When these needs are met, individuals are more motivated to perform well and contribute positively to their organizations.

Furthermore, employees who integrate their religious and spiritual beliefs into their work roles are likelier to experience job satisfaction, commitment, and a sense of purpose. They are also less likely to be demotivated or engage in disruptive behaviors.

Another general manager said, “My faith is the most important part of my life. Sharing it with my team members is the highlight of my days. It makes each day more rewarding, and the feeling is truly amazing.”

Managers can significantly benefit from their employees engaging in religion at work. One advantage is enhanced team cohesion because religious practices often emphasize community and support, which can translate into stronger team cohesion and collaboration. Employees who feel connected and supported are likelier to work well together, leading to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Another benefit is improved employee wellbeing. As mentioned, religious affiliation is linked to better mental and emotional health. Mentally and emotionally healthy employees are more likely to be productive, engaged, and less prone to burnout. This can reduce absenteeism and improve overall team performance.

In addition, managers may see increased ethical behavior because religion often promotes ethical behavior and integrity. Employees who adhere to these principles are likelier to act honestly and responsibly, reducing the risk of unethical practices and fostering a culture of trust and respect.

Higher motivation and performance are additional benefits. Employees who find meaning and purpose in their work through religious beliefs are more motivated and committed. This can lead to higher levels of performance and a greater willingness to go above and beyond in their roles.

Lastly, faith at work can drive a positive workplace culture. Employees who feel their beliefs are respected and valued are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and loyal to the organization.

A colleague, who is an executive manager, said, “Despite my imperfections, I believe that demonstrating my faith through words and actions significantly impacts our workplace, especially in the ethically challenging auto retail business. By embodying Christlike character and truthfulness, we can make a difference. Though I fall short daily, I know I’ve positively influenced others in my automotive career by encouraging them to consider faith.”

Understanding the positive impact of religion and spirituality on wellbeing and motivation, then, has practical implications for organizations. Leaders and managers can harness these benefits to create a supportive and motivated workforce. Managers can integrate religious and spiritual considerations into workplace policies and practices in many ways:

• Foster Inclusivity and Respect: Create an environment that respects and values diverse religious beliefs. This includes accommodating religious practices, such as prayer times and dietary restrictions, and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
• Encourage Community and Social Support: Facilitate opportunities for employees to connect and support each other. This can be through team-building activities, community service projects, or simply creating spaces where employees can share their experiences and beliefs.
• Promote Ethical Behavior and Integrity: Emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and integrity in the workplace. Encourage employees to align their work with their values and principles, fostering a culture of trust and respect.
• Provide Resources for Wellbeing: Offer resources and programs that support employees’ mental and emotional wellbeing. This can include counseling services, stress management workshops, and opportunities for spiritual growth.

By integrating these practices, organizations can create a more supportive, motivated, and ethically sound work environment. The role of religion and spirituality in the workplace is not just about individual benefits; it’s about creating a culture that values and supports the whole person.

Another executive manager said, “I strive to remember that my identity is in Christ, which reminds me not to rely on my strength. Starting my day with “God, what do you want me to know and do?” helps me create meaningful relationships at work. I’m grateful for the encouragement of having other people of faith at work.”

As an HR manager, I also know the challenges of integrating faith and the workplace well. A few special considerations also emerged from these studies.  First, in the workplace setting, the terms faith, religion, spirituality, and workplace spirituality can be challenging to define universally. According to Religion, Spirituality, and the Workplace: A Review and Critique, some consensus on terms has emerged. Workplace spirituality is commonly defined using three dimensions:

• An inner life: Inner spiritual needs people bring with them to work.
• Meaningful work: A sense of alignment between one’s work and a broader sense of life meaning.
• A sense of community: Sharing, mutual obligation, and commitment to others (Ashmos & Duchon 2000, Houghton et al. 2016).

Within these studies, the actual content of religious belief is not defined or differentiated from one system of belief to another. Instead, there is a general understanding of the sacred as “manifestation of the divine.”

Second, Gallup found that in some cases, religious individuals attributed negative life events, such as illness, to a higher power abandoning them, which led to more negative emotions compared to nonreligious individuals. However, it is not solely the religious belief system itself that causes these negative emotions, but rather the content of the belief and how individuals relate to their higher power. Since the actual content of religious belief is not specified in these studies, the term “religious people” refers to adherents of all belief systems. Therefore, these effects are not uniform across all religions, as the quality of emotions varies based on both the content of belief and the individual’s relationship with their higher power.

For that reason, if one practices faith and also experiences negative emotions, it is helpful to ask ourselves several questions:

• What is one’s religious belief itself?
• What is the manner of relationship with the higher power?
• How is one reconciling life events with one’s religious beliefs?

Religion and spirituality profoundly impact our lives, including our work. They enhance wellbeing, boost motivation, and provide practical benefits for organizations. As we navigate the complexities of modern work environments, let’s not overlook the positive role that religion and spirituality can play. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, support, and ethical behavior, we can create workplaces that are not only productive but also fulfilling and meaningful.