Interview

Introduction

The issue of workplace bullying is an area of concern across various sectors, including government institutions. Employees who identify as Christian may experience bullying due to religious stereotyping, leading to negative effects on their mental health and job performance (Einarsen et al., 2011; Einarsen et al., 2020). Bullying over religious beliefs can lead to burnout (Eriksson et al., 2009). It can be stressful for those who are on the receiving end of it or who have to witness it (Hauge et al., 2010; McCarthy, 2002). However, it is important that employees feel safe in their workplaces (Burke, 2016). People who are serious about their religious beliefs at work may feel that they are stigmatized by others (Thomson, 2016). Thus, it is a challenge in the government workplace to make sure that workplace bullying is addressed and that awareness of this problem is raised (Cantone, 2011; LaVan & Martin, 2021). This paper aims to investigate possible instances of bullying against Christian government employees through semi-structured interviews. This approach enables in-depth exploration of the subject and gathering of data from a variety of perspectives (DiCicco?Bloom & Crabtree, 2006).

Data Collection, Participant Selection, Confidentiality, and Consent

The participants of this study were selected from six distinct groups: a non-supervisory government employee, a citizen, a Christian from a local church, a businessperson, an educator, and a member from a civic or community group. Consent was obtained before the interviews, with an explanation that responses would be kept confidential, and personal identifiers would be omitted to preserve anonymity.

The protocol for the semi-structured interviews adhered to the process of asking the following questions:

1. What is your perception of how Christian employees are treated in comparison to employees of other faiths in the workplace?

2. Are Christians bullied in the government workplace, in your opinion?

3. Do there need to be improvements in government to better support Christian employees and ensure they do not become targets of bullying?

Interview Transcripts

Government Employee

The government employee responded: "In my tenure here, I haven't come across instances of direct bullying towards Christian employees. However, I think it's naive to believe that subtle biases don't exist. The fact that we don't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Perhaps it manifests in ways that are difficult to pinpoint - an offhand comment here, an exclusion there. Bias can be nuanced, even unintentional, and that's why it's crucial to consciously counteract it. We need to ensure that we treat every employee with the respect and impartiality they deserve, regardless of their religious beliefs. A diverse workforce can be a strength, in my opinion, but it's incumbent upon all of us to foster a respectful and inclusive work environment. It's essential to treat every employee with respect and impartiality, regardless of their religious beliefs."

Citizen

The citizen offered, "It's crucial that our government remains unbiased towards all religions. I've heard whispers about Christian employees being singled out, but it's all hearsay. We need concrete evidence before making any judgments. In our democracy, it is absolutely essential that our government, the institution that is supposed to represent all of us, remains unbiased towards all religions. That's the bedrock of our society. If Christian employees are being singled out, thats wrong. I dont know how true the stories are, but I would not be surprised if they were true. Our government does not seem to promote Christian values muchquite the opposite these days. If you take a Christian stance on an issue like the trans movement, look what happens. But even if these stories are not necessarily all true, these rumors can stir up emotions and fear. What we need is concrete evidence. There need to be investigations before we leap to conclusions and label it as widespread bullying. Congress should look into it. But its got to be done.

Christian at Church

The Christian participant shared, "I have faced discrimination due to my faith, but outside of the workplace. Within the government? I cannot definitively say. However, it would be wonderful if people were more understanding and compassionate towards employees with religious beliefs. All the same, I know how it feels when people marginalize you for your beliefs. I believe that we could do with more understanding and compassion towards employees with religious beliefs. We are all different. It's about treating each other with empathy, regardless of our backgrounds. Understanding and respect can be powerful tools against discrimination and bullying."

Businessperson

The businessperson argued, "Every organization, including the government, needs policies that safeguard religious freedoms. Bullying of any kind is destructive, it chips away at the productivity and morale of the workforce. It doesn't just hurt the individuals subjected to it, but it chips away at the very fabric of the organization. It undermines productivity. It erodes morale....…respect in our interactions with others. Translated into a workplace context, it calls for a culture where employees treat each other with kindness and understanding, recognizing the worth of every individual, regardless of their religious beliefs. Encouraging this form of mutual respect can contribute to a more harmonious work environment, where instances of bullying are significantly reduced.

The principle of respect for all people is echoed in 1 Peter 2:17, "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." This biblical verse instructs believers to show proper respect to everyone, reinforcing the notion of universal respect. Within the workplace, this respect should extend to all colleagues, regardless of their position or belief system. Upholding this principle can help ensure that all employees feel valued and respected, creating a work environment that is more conducive to collaboration and productivity.

Finally, the call for justice in Micah 6:8, "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God," underscores the need for fairness and justice in all aspects of life, including the workplace. This principle supports the implementation of fair policies and practices that safeguard the rights of all employees and provide avenues for addressing instances of workplace bullying. No one in government should be slighted, mocked, or scorned because of religious beliefs. Sincere belief is something that a person has a right to hold, and this is true for every Christian. God wants Christians to show their love for Him in their daily livesand that may lead to persecution, just as Christ was persecuted. Thus, Christians must be ready to face this kind of persecution even in their workplaces, if it comes to that.

Conclusion

While there is no direct evidence of widespread bullying against Christian government employees, the potential for such bias cannot be ignored. It is crucial to continue fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace environment, aligning with both ethical and biblical principles. More research is needed to further understand and address this issue. However, biblical principles provide a strong ethical and moral foundation for the discussion on workplace bullying. They call for empathy, respect, and justice within workplaces, traits that, when fostered, can significantly contribute to reducing instances of bullying and creating more inclusive and harmonious work environments. These principles, rooted in faith, offer valuable guidance…