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5 things you can do at your workplace
by Samana Siddiqui
Have you noticed your boss, supervisor or
co-workers have been having a hard time looking at you straight in the eye in
the last few days? Has the war on Iraq, which has just begun, been causing problems
for you as a Muslim in your workplace?
If they have, you're not alone. Many, many
Muslim Americans are going through the same thing. While in extreme cases, harassment
may occur, most of the time, bosses and co-workers are at a loss in trying to
relate to their Muslim American counterparts.
Don't be offended by it. Take it as an opportunity.
While it's tempting to hide out in your cubicle and avoid contact and communication,
this is the worst thing you and Muslim employees can do. It is now, more than
necessary to be pro-active and vocal.
Here are a few things you and Muslim co-workers
can do to alleviate the tension at your workplace:
1. Send a thoughtful memo to everybody
at work
Send a memo to all, including your boss,
supervisor and all employees. It could be a thoughtful prayer for peace. Or
you could send out a message of concern, hopwing that all co-workers and their
families remain safe. The point is to communicate.
In addition, if you have a company newsletter
or some other publication that is published weekly or daily, get this message
published on behalf of all of the Muslims at your workplace. You can also post
the message on all of the company’s bulletin boards, if you get permission
to do that.
Make sure to respect the rules of the publication
(i.e. the word count of messages, the deadline to get the piece in by, etc.).
2. Organize a session at work to talk
about it
Many people are keeping their emotions bottled
up or quietly discussing it amongst friends at work. Talk to your boss about
having a session for all employees with a counselor or therapist to discuss
the fears relating to the war and possible terrorism. This can help you and
your co-workers process your feelings about it. If possible, arrange to pay
for this yourself so that all employees can benefit from the session.
3. Talk to your coworkers about how they
are feeling
On an individual level, discuss with co-workers,
one-on-one, how they and you are feeling. By opening up to you, your co-workers
will not only appreciate the opportunity to discuss something they feel afraid
and concerned about, but they will also be able to connect to you. By connecting
to you, you become a friend, not "the other".
4. Encourage people not to generalize
It is expected that some individuals may
generalize and try to lump all Muslims as "pro-Saddam" or "pro-terrorism".
If you find this attitude in a co-worker, calmly explain this is not true.
5. Avoid discussing your anti-war views
The war on Iraq has produced much heated
discussion between members of both sides of the debate. In order to maintain
your safety and a pleasant work environment, avoid confrontation, as this will
only lead to further problems, not understanding.
Your Comments
waheed quader, Nigeria -
wrote on 4/25/2003 5:02:13 AM
Rating:
Comment: I sympathise with the situation of American Muslims and though what you suggest is perfectly apporpriate, but let's not stop here and proclaim ourselves victims and feel pathetic. We should blame our muslim leaders for letting different groups form within thier own countries who connive with opportunist superpowers, & turn to them for help against their own muslim counterparts. So why blame others ? We should first learn to deal with our own problems ourselves.
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