There is potential conflict in two pieces of legislation which are designed to support an individual’s right to free expression.  The first relates to a person’s religious and spiritual belief and the second relates to a person’s sexual orientation.  We’ve developed a story which explores this conflict.  It presents managers with a complex brain teaser.  The situation is described below.    What would you do if faced with this? 

It is coming up to Christmas and John distributes a flyer about how to “Add a sparkle to you work-place.”  At the bottom is written a word about SIN:

Sin is a constant struggle.  I will never outgrow my need for Jesus to deal with and forgive my sin.  I know it is time to get down on my knees before the LORD.  I am a great sinner.  The closer I get to Jesus, the more clearly I see my sin.

Rizwan, a colleague, picks up a copy.  He is already furious because John keeps inviting him to his church and is not taking “no” for an answer.  He has made an informal complaint to his manager about this because he thinks that John is targeting him because he is homosexual.   Now Rizwan reads this comment about sin and takes it as a personal message to him.  He throws it in the bin.  John sees him and is outraged.    A confrontation takes place.  John goes to his manager to complain.  Both Rizwan and John see themselves as the victim here.

So if you were their manager, what would you do?

We use this story with groups of manager but also with groups of staff to look at what it means to create a work culture in which diversity flourishes and there is no discrimination.  It never fails to generate strong feelings in which people find their sympathies switching between the two complainants.  It stimulates important discussions between people about, for example, what does ‘free expression’ actually mean in a work setting?  What behaviour is appropriate at work?  How do we really think and feel about one another?  How do we become more tolerant?

It is particularly effective in raising awareness of diversity issues among all categories of staff.  Participants gain valuable insight into the values, attitudes and practices operating in their workplace.  In this way, it builds a strong foundation for developing a culture which welcomes difference.

Contact us for more details.