While at Momentum and David's tent, Ros conducted a survey, asking people who came past the stand some questions about work, their workplace and workplace groups. A total of 92 people completed the survey across the 2 events, with some interesting results....
Where do you find it hardest to live as a Christian? 75% said in their workplace, followed far behind by 13% saying in social/leisure time, 4% saying at home and 3% church! It's really interesting that Christians find work by far the hardest place to live out their faith!
Do you conside your faith important to God? An overwhelming 88% thought that their work was important to God, 9% had not thought about it, and 2% thought that work wasn't important to God. So ... we find work a hard place to live out our faith, and we recognise that work is important to God!
Does your employer support diversity groups? The 2010 Equality Act encourages employers to enable employees to form staff networks representing different diversity strands. 34% of people thought that their employer supported an LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) group, 24% a BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) group, only 15% supported faith groups, 29% thought their employer did not support any diversity groups and 34% didn't know. Of course, many people will have worked in small companies where you wouldn't expect to find diversity groups, but it is interesting, and sad, that significanlty fewer people reported that their company recognised faith groups than recognised LGBT or BME groups.
Do you know other Christians in your workplace? 74% of respondents knew of other Christians at their workplace, 18% did not. Others worked alone or did not respond. So, a lot of us know that there are other Christians in our workplace!
Do you meet to pray with othes at work? Of those who do meet with others to pray, 9% meet weekly, 1% fortnightly, 10% 'sometimes' but 62% never meet with others to pray, with a number of other mixed answers! Wow - only a quarter of us meet with others to pray!
Are you part of a Christian Workplace Group or a Christian Professional Group? Only 13% were in some form of group. What opportunities for encouragement there are, if more of us get together in lunchtimes or outside work for prayer, sharing and together be a tangible benefit to the organisations we work for! Those who said they prayed often went on to share a story of the difference it made to them, their colleagues and also the effect it had on the environment at work! Praying at work for your organisation is so important. If you are not doing it - who is? Go for it - start today!
Have you ever thought of running Christian activities in your workplace? 7% had thought of running an Alpha course, 3% Operation Christmas Child, 7% an easter event, 8% a carol service, 1% a food bank and 7% a stress seminar. Watch out on the TWUK website as we give help in coming weeks on how to organise events like these!
Would you like to start a Christian Workplace Group? An amazing 18% said they would like to start a CWG! Praise God! TWUK will be actively working with these people over the coming months to pray with them, come alongside them and support them as they start CWGs in their workplaces.