I ran across this interesting article in the The Boston Globe (Firm offers transgender protections  by Diane E. Lewis) on Friday.  The reason Raytheon is introducing a policy on Transgender workers is so that the company can support people and allow them "to be who they are"

Now compare this with a quote from a 2004 NBC’s Today Show Interview ( Faith in the Workplace by Campbell Brown) with LauraNash on why Faith at Work is making inroads in Corporate America. Nash says "But I think it’s now permissible to say, ‘This is who I am. This is what I believe.’

Workplace diversity is "in." Companys value employees being the people they are whether that is a Cross Dressing Transvestite or a Born Again Christian.

This is an opportunity for faith at work as well as a challenge. See Navigating the new American workplace (Or, Does the boss need to know I’m ovulating?) by Sue Shellenbarger of the Wall Street Jorunal.

Read Laura Nash's full interview to get a sense of some of the issues.

The Boston Globe: Firm offers transgender protections  by Diane E. Lewis

Hayward L. Bell, chief diversity officer at the Waltham firm, said the company has also given out information kits on gender identity and expression to managers and human resource professionals ''to ensure they are more knowledgeable and better able to support Raytheon employees."

''This will allow people to be who they are, and not have to hide it," said Bell. ''It's also our way of saying that we recognize that these differences exist, and we are looking for your talent and what you can contribute."

The company, which employs 80,000 worldwide, said a previous policy did not formally include transgender or transsexual individuals, but focused instead on sexual orientation.

Quote from Transcript of Interview with LauraNash on Faith at Work

NBC-TV’s Today Show, 19 March 2004:Faith in the Workplace by Campbell Brown

BROWN: LauraNash is an expert in workplace ministry who teaches courses on management and corporate ethics at the HarvardBusinessSchool. Laura, good morning.

LAURANASH (HarvardBusinessSchool): Good morning.

BROWN: So traditionally, there have been two subjects that are off limits at work, politics and religion.

NASH: That’s right.

BROWN: But what changed? Was it really the corporate scandals?

NASH: I think so. I think the disgust at the ethical behavior going on, the sense that we’re losing our values, the never-enough culture. How do we begin to have some sense of limits? But you’re right. This is a new movement. Religion is important to people. Money is important to people. But we had a kind of detente about them in the workplace.

BROWN: Explain the various groups. Because there is a lot of diversity. You do have choices.

NASH: That’s right. I think it’s important to understand this is not one movement representing one denomination. A lot of it is grass roots, individuals. Interestingly, it’s been organized more by business people than religious professionals. And so to characterize it as a kind of ‘Let’s take over the world,’ which some people fear, is – is really not accurate.

BROWN: Well, there are a couple of things that actually I thought, you know, might be sort of the downside of this. One being, there is a lot of diversity in religion. You know, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists at work. If you have one group that’s going off to form a religious group within the workplace, doesn’t that sort of divide employees?

NASH: It can.

BROWN: Or you’re – you’re identified based on your religion.

NASH: You can be iden – I think that’s what you saw in the – in the – in the video that some of the people, that’s what they want. It’s part of their bringing themselves to work. And more of your work is taking over more of life. Why shouldn’t your life be expressed in – in work? Having said that, there’s two cultures going on. We have a culture of diversity in the workplace that we value religious freedom. In America, it’s about freedom when you express your religion, don’t step on the feet of somebody else. I think those are strong traditions in our society.

BROWN: But there can also be a line where you cross where there is an evangelical sort of approach to it where you’re trying to convert people at work.

NASH: They’re walking a tightrope here. How on do you express your religion but not force it on someone else. How do you not abuse your power? And I think there has to be a very clear line here about not creating a clubby membership. Lot of these groups stay offsite, out of the workplace for that reason. They’re voluntary. They’re up front. Others are more cagey about it. And – and that does create a lot of suspicion.

BROWN: How are businesses reacting? And what can it mean for the company involved or the business as opposed to the individual?

NASH: It’s hard to – it’s – it’s – there’s a diverse business culture as well. So there are many reactions. But I think it’s now permissible to say, ‘This is who I am. This is what I believe.’ I’m hearing it more in the workplace. I’m hearing it more about ethics in the workplace. I think businesses are also very concerned that they don’t signal you can use your belief in God instead of rational management procedures. And religion tends to push for never-enough solutions of its own. So what everyone is searching for is a framework for success that goes beyond money and goes to these lasting values. It’s not just people with one sectarian belief.

BROWN: But if you’re needing to bring this into your job and your work life, does it also mean that you’re not getting what you need from your church or your mosque or your synagogue? That in your place of worship, they’re not doing enough for you?

NASH: I did a – a – a large study of this problem. Why weren’t the churches providing these services themselves, and I think mainstream churches have had an anxiety about capitalism and money that has kept them out of the workplace. And that’s part of the reason. And so business people of faith approached – they often approach someone from a church or a – or a synagogue to help them run a service. But they started the movement themselves, primarily.

BROWN: Overall, do you think this is a good thing?

NASH: I think as long as it’s not used to beat up people and form clubs it’s good. I think this search for lasting success is important. I think we need to learn “just enough” in our vocabulary. That’s one of our problems. But I don’t – and I think it has to be inclusive of people who don’t wear it on their sleeve. And it’s why my latest book, “Just Enough” is on a secular version of this. It’s very important. It’s very exciting what’s going on.

BROWN: Interesting. LauraNash. Thanks. And we’ll be right back.

Perhaps we need some Faith At Work information kits for Companies to hand out (like Raytheon is doing for LBGT awareness) that help employees understand why bringing your faith to work is okay because, hey, we all want everyone to be accepted for "who they are!" Right?