The need to address religious diversity at work: an all-inclusive model of spirituality at work

Author

Ivonne Valero Cázares, University of South Florida

Graduation Year

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Religious Studies

Major Professor

Tori Lockler, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jay Micheals, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Gil Ben-Herut, Ph.D.

Keywords

employee engagement, transcendence, happiness at Work, Religion at the workplace, Spiritual leadership, Well-being, self-actualization, employee commitment

Abstract

This thesis discusses the importance of embracing religion and spirituality in the workplace as an aspect of workplace diversity. This document aims to help us understand the definition of spirituality at the workplace and its constituents.

We conducted a literature review from predominant scholars about the salience of spirituality and religion at the workplace and its relevance to building meaning, connectedness, and a sense of belonging. We will also review Maslow's theory of Human Needs, his research on human peak-experiences, and its correlation to self-actualization and transcendence.

We will present a new model of Spirituality and Religion at the workplace (SRW) and explain how each one of its dimensions is linked to the different dimensions of the human being: the body, the self, his social identity, and what is called the Higher Mind. Likewise, this model provides a holistic view of the different constituents of spirituality at the workplace and helps us understand how these interact systemically to satisfy a range of human needs, from the most basic needs to the highest order needs.

The conclusions of this literature review is very significant because it brings an interdisciplinary perspective, which can become the basis for scholars, consultants, and Human Resources Managers to develop novel approaches for inclusion of spirituality and religion at the workplace that improves employee engagement, commitment, alignment to the organization, self-actualization, mental health, and well-being.

Last, we mention the importance of leadership in encouraging spirituality at the workplace and call for more research about the positive results of implementing Spiritual Leadership in organizations.

Scholar Commons Citation

Valero Cázares, Ivonne, "The need to address religious diversity at work: an all-inclusive model of spirituality at work" (2022). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/9488