Business for Such a Time as This Every Company Should be in the People Business

Between the Great Resignation and endemic of quiet quitting, employers are raising the bar on their efforts to attract, recruit, and retain top talent. Many are adapting to the generational paradigm shift that correlates employees’ sense of value and self in the workplace to production and thriving commerce. Simply put, employees work best for customers and partners when they are allowed to be wholly themselves.

Why it Matters

Traditionally, employees who were well compensated were likely to accept a job opportunity and be satisfied. In the 21st century, company purpose and culture, notably diversity and inclusion (D&I), has transitioned from a strategic HR line item, to a major driver of company culture and community. No longer a fringe concept, for many it is a business imperative.

Industry titans like Google, American Express, Target, and Dell have embraced what D&I initiatives offer with little to no funding required. Most are employee-led and driven by a sense of purpose and belonging, which further folds employees in with the companies’ cultures and missions.

Where it is Happening

While data supports faith inclusion, some companies are hesitant or opposed to faith being a diversity worth supporting.

The Endeavor Team at Celebration Church is focused on changing this perception and narrative. Marrying private and public sector experience and best practice, with a bold belief that organizations and society flourish when people are whole, Endeavor Director Markee Johnson is working to change the understanding of faith at work. “We spend 90,000 hours of our lives at work and time is the one thing we never get back. Most people want to know their work and contributions matter and this is especially true for people of faith. It isn’t only a desire for us but a responsibility to steward our time well. If we compartmentalize faith at work, that yields only a percentage of our potential output not our best. No leader is content moving any mission forward with staff at half-capacity.”

Endeavor Ministry focuses on inspiring and equipping believers to integrate faith with work. Johnson believes many share a fear that showing faith at work could result in ostracization or termination. She cites examples of cancel culture, lawsuits, and hostility toward faith, all which have increased since 9/11. While she affirms U.S. citizens working in a domestically owned company have legal protections, she encourages a more winsome approach. “We need to share our faith in ways that are seen first in how we work, wholehearted and in excellence; then we share through relationship in wise and caring conversation.”

Who is Being Served

Surveys1 indicate 81 percent of adult Americans say they believe in God and more than three-quarters of those people are Christian. However, faith inclusion has been marginalized in the workplace or shunned completely but faith/religion is a dimension of diversity that yields impressive results. Faith-friendly businesses increase2:

� employee morale 62% � employee retention 38%

� employee loyalty 37% � agency reputation 34%

“Technology has dissolved separation between work and home, personal and professional life. This cultural shift has broadened our sense of self in the workplace. When employees are able to build relationships and network as their authentic selves, they appreciate work more, which leads to greater connection and productivity.” The bottom line is how employers care for and serve their employees is critical. One business owner who testifies to this truth is Ken Schiller.