Faith Often a Topic at Work, Study Finds

Most people engage in discussions about their faith while at work, according to a survey for Lutheran Brotherhood, the Minneapolis-based insurance company that serves Lutherans.

According to the survey, conducted by Yankelovich Partners, 70% of those surveyed said they talked about faith in the workplace. Half said such discussions take place at least once a month, and 19% said they talk about religion with co-workers at least once a year.

“Religion and work are important aspects of many people’s lives,” said David Rustad, Lutheran Brotherhood spokesman. “Since Americans spend so many hours at work, it’s not surprising that conversations about religion crop up among co-workers.”

The survey also found that women are twice as likely as men to discuss religion in the workplace more than once a month--29% to 15%. And Americans in rural areas also are more likely to talk about religion at work than are those in the suburbs--28% to 17%.

People also often pray for career guidance, according to the survey.

It found that 55% have prayed for such guidance, with women again more likely than men to have prayed for help with job and career directions--64% to 47%.

“People seem to depend on their religious faith for support in their work life,” Rustad said. “People probably pray for help finding jobs, guidance to work out problems at work and for support to be successful in their jobs.”