A recently released REDI Index (Religious Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) shows that Google, Intel, Tyson Foods, and Target are among the top 10 Fortune 100 companies that include religion as an integral part of its diversity initiatives.
The trend of religious inclusion was the topic of the first national conference on faith-oriented employee resource groups (ERGs) in February hosted by the Busch School of Business and the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF).
The conference brought together ERG leaders from around the country to explore ways businesses can foster a more faith-inclusive environment as part of their diversity initiatives. Attendees heard from business leaders on the benefits for not just employees and companies, but society as well.
“I compliment you on your concern for this issue,” said University President John Garvey in a welcome address. “It's one that matters to a big proportion of your employees and most Americans.”
On Friday, Andrew Abela, dean of the business school discussed the idea of virtuous business. He explained the challenges of bringing faith and work together to live a unified and integrated life.
“There is something we find very useful in teaching this to our students at the Busch School and it’s the concept of virtue,” said Abela. Virtues are good habits, explained Abela. “When you live a virtuous life you tend to be a happier person. People around you tend to be happier.”
Abela proceeded to describe the four Cardinal or central virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude/courage, and temperance.
“The proposal we have is that living the virtues is a way for religious people — and really anybody — to live out their faith at work. It gives us a structure and a practice for living as people of faith in a work environment” said Abela.
The conference cosponsored by American Airlines and Tyson Foods also featured talks from Brian Grim, president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF), Ellen Baker, senior VP and CIO of Texas Instruments; and Sue Warnke, Salesforce senior director of content and communication experience and the president of Faithforce San Francisco.