Nine to Five - Muslims in the Western Workplace

162 Pages·2010·3.652 MB·English

by  Suzy Ismail

—
“9 to 5: Muslims in the Western Workplace” provides an insider’s
view into what it means to be a Muslim at work. The volume
is comprised of several actual and dramatized first-person
accounts by Muslims in many different professions. Through the
narratives and commentary, the author sets out to dispel myths,
break down stereotypes, and generally show that “different” at
work isn’t always “wrong”. By sharing their honest stories, the
Muslim contributors clearly articulate some of the internal and
external struggles they’ve faced in different occupations and how
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they’ve dealt with each situation. These candid tales help vocalize
the chronicles of integration and identity retention at work and
provide us all with a platform for understanding how Islam and
work in the West really can go hand-in-hand.
* * *
Suzy S. Ismail is currently a Visiting
Professor in the Communication
Department at DeVry University in North
Brunswick and DeVry University Online.
*■ »<s1 She received her Bachelors in English,
Communication and Middle Eastern
Studies, her Master’s in Communication
and Information Studies, and was
li
previously a Ph.D. student in the School of Communication
lllll at Rutgers University. She has been an active member on the
Noor Ul-Iman School Board of Directors for the past six years.
v. III
She is the author of “When Muslim Marriage Fails,” “The BFF
Illi Sisters” and several other pending middle-grade and young adult
aI'1- Vll novels. She currently resides in New Jersey with her amazing
husband of thirteen years and her three young children. For
more information please visit www.suzyismail.webs.com.
■
amana publications ■ii I
ISBN: T7a-lSt100a0bael
10710 Tucker Street. Beltsville, MD 20705
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.amana-publications.com n^ais^oTaobaT 11111,1111111
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Nine to Five
Muslims in the Western Workplace
Suzy Ismail
[Selected Commentary by Dr. Shadee El-Masry]
amana publications
First Edition
(1432AH/2011AC)
©Copyright 1431AH/2010 AC
amana publications
10710 Tucker Street
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2223 USA
Tel: [phone] / Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
www.amana-publications.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ismail, Suzy.
Nine to five : Muslims in the Western workplace I Suzy Ismail; selected commentary
by Dr. Shadee El-Masry.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-59008-068-9
1. Work-Religious aspects-Islam. 2. Religion in the workplace. 3. Conformity in
the workplace. 4. Islam-Customs and practices. 5. Muslims-Conduct of life. I. El-
Masry, Shadee. II. Tide.
BP173.77.I86 2011
331.5-dc22
2011013593
Printed in Turkey By Mega Print
1
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Take benefit of five before five:
your youth before your old age,
your health before your sickness,
your wealth before your poverty,
your free-time before your preoccupation,
and your life before your death.”
(Hakim)
1
i
Contents
Introduction ix
Chapter 1: “Can’t Touch This” ............................. 1
Respecting Gender Disparity, Personal Space,
and Intentions of the Muslim ‘Other’
Chapter 2: “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”.......................... 12
Reserve, Dietary Restrictions, & Lack of Involvement in
Company Excursions and Outings
Chapter 3: “WHAT’S THAT ON YOUR HEAD?” ................................. 30
Navigating Company Dress Policy and Professional Attire
in the Formal Workplace
Chapter 4: “Not a Doctor, Engineer, or Lawyer”....... 49
Challenging the Meaning of Traditional Workplace
Definitions and Acceptable Roles
Chapter 5: “Mom & Dad, Incorporated”....................... 63
Negotiating the Roles of Parent and Employee in a
High-Stress Work Atmosphere
Chapter 6: “BRING YOUR FATHER-IN-LAW TO WORK” . 77
Individualism vs. Collectivism, Nepotism, and
Other Family Related “Isms” At Work
Chapter 7: “Who’S IN CHARGE HERE?”....................................... 92
Understanding Power Distance, Positions of Authority,
and Uncertainty Avoidance
Chapter 8: “What Time is Lunch Again?”............................. 104
Ablution, Prayers, Fasting, and the Trouble with Time
Chapter 9: “I Say Tomato and You Say Toe-mah-toe” . 120
Breaking Linguistic Barriers and Speaking the Same High
and Low Context Language
Chapter 10: “The Rat Race”........................... 130
The End Does NOT Justify the Means
Final Thoughts 145
Introduction
s the global work force continues to diversify and people
establish greater contact with individuals from around the world,
the importance of understanding varied cultures and religions
must be acknowledged by anyone in a work environment. The scope of our
occupational landscape is changing and universal boundaries are crossed on
a continuous basis. With these diverse interactions, it would seem that a
virtual melting pot of identities could be formed through workplace
acculturation. However, it seems that no other minority group in the
Western workplace gains as much attention and misunderstanding as that
of Muslims in their retention of Islamic identities at work. Whether born
and raised in the country of residence, long-time immigrants from other
countries, or temporarily transferred employees, Muslims tend to stand
out in the workplace for “differences” that are sometimes hard to reconcile
with employment atmospheres.
This book attempts to explore the questions and dilemmas that Muslims
at work in the West are most often faced with. The number of Muslims
entering the workforce continues to grow exponentially and the impor­
tance of Muslim contributions is recognized in organizations across the
world today. This is why it is critical to gain a better understanding of
the motivations, cultural inclinations, and reactions to various work
situations along with the misperceptions often attached to Muslim
employees’ tendencies. The following accounts, narrated in first-person
by Muslims in many different professions aim to instigate greater dialogue
and understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim employees around
the world. Once a greater understanding is reached of the “why”
behind the “what” of Muslim actions, then a stronger level of equality and
acceptance can be achieved. This book sets out to dispel myths, break
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