Rachel Schneider, one of the report’s authors said “It was these everyday practices and behaviors in the workplace that was surprising to learn more about how they’ve manifested.” The study also examined how other religious groups, specifically Jews and Muslims, experienced workplace discrimination. The researchers surveyed more than 11,000 people and conducted in-depth interviews with approximately 200 people from respondents.
Different Christian groups reported dramatically different responses. Only 20% of Catholics and mainline Protestants report religious discrimination. 24% of other Christian groups report being targeted for their beliefs. The most significant finding was that Evangelicals report religious discrimination at 36%. As part of the study, non-religious groups were also surveyed at 27% discrimination in the workplace. This means that evangelicals are significantly more likely to experience negative treatment than their other Christian counterparts.
Evangelical Christians reported verbal harassment most often. One woman, who works as a nurse in Tennessee, described how her co-workers from her previous employment would call her “Ms. Holy.” She relayed to researchers how she was harassed due to her stance on the employer’s protocols and these employees wanted to break these protocols.
Another woman was made fun of for not participating in her co-workers’ bawdy conversations. Her co-worker said, “Oh there’s the hallelujah or the sanctimonious person.” Another respondent, who works as a criminal investigator explained to the researchers “There’s kind of this theme out there that Christians are inherently judgmental and hypocritical.” This is a common refrain, where evangelicals are assumed to be judgmental without any justification.
Researchers also said Christians face stereotyping. One woman was left out of social gatherings because it was assumed they didn’t drink.” These respondents have been excluded due to “perceived moral lifestyle differences,” she added. There was additional data on how other groups, specifically Jewish and Muslim workers, are treated in the workplace.
Another study, which was cited by the Rice Researchers, found that “a large proportion of Muslim (63%) and Jewish (52%) participants reported religious discrimination compared with other religious groups.” One Jewish woman faced antisemitic taunts at work. His coworkers said, “good at bookkeeping and keeping track of money.” Another Jewish respondent reports that he hears comments that “Jews run all the banks.” Each of these interactions represents classic anti-Jewish tropes.
Disappointingly, the researchers seemed interested in downplaying the discrimination Christians face. They said that discrimination among Christians doesn’t “carry the same risk for violence that religious minorities experience.” They contrasted this with actions that were “demeaning, prejudicial or exclusionary.” Even with that pointless concession, the authors reiterated that these actions have no place in the workplace. Religious people are the targets of constant attacks from the media and cultural figures and its no shock that this creates workplace hostility.