RESPONDING TO 9-11 IN THE WORKPLACE

The workplace has been an important link when responding to the events of 9-11-2001. Tracy Brown, author of Breaking the Barrier of Bias comments on why biases and stereotypes come out at work.

"The workplace is an important link in the process needed to encourage respect and understanding," according to Tracy Brown, President of Diversity Trends, LLC. "Often employees work with people they would normally not come into contact with, so stereotypes and biases come out when it's least expected."

One of the lessons learned from the terrorist attacks was just how little most Americans knew about Islam. During the past year Mosques nationwide have opened their doors to the non-Muslim community to offer tours and education. And in many communities interfaith efforts experienced renewed interest and participation as people tried to find ways for all people to work together to build trust and respect.

Many companies reinforced their existing commitment to inclusion by communicating to their workforce that no harassment or mistreatment of employees or customers who were Muslim or of Middle-Eastern descent would not be tolerated. And some organizations actually scheduled educational sessions for employees to help them better understand mainstream Islam.

"The message isn't one of religion, as much as it is a reminder that our work environments must include and serve all people who live and work in the United States." according to Brown. "With an estimated 7 million Muslims in the United States, we can all expect to work with or provide service to Muslims as we perform our jobs."

Since September 11, 2001 more than 1700 Muslims have reported harassment incidents to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The total in each of the previous 4 years was less than 400. "Many of these incidents occurred in the workplace and that's not good," said Brown. "Any business that wants to be profitable needs to be able to retain good employees and build customer loyalty. If employees or customers feel harassed, mistreated or in danger it will have a negative impact on both productivity and sales."

Of course discrimination is illegal and that's an additional motivation to educate your workforce. For more information about Islam go to www.Cair-net.org or www.BeliefNet.org.