Faith at work no longer taboo.

• Position: Religion

Although in its early stages, the "faith-at-work movement" is beginning to demand serious attention from employers and, in some cases, pose major workplace challenges, concludes a report from The Conference Board, New York. How companies frame their response will determine if the issue becomes a legal minefield or a source of competitive advantage.

Like the social issues that helped define earlier generations, the topic of faith at work has crept into American businesses. Proposals to form affinity groups, prayer breakfasts, and the introduction of corporate chaplains are among the common requests. Other more subtle signs include e-mail signoffs that quote scripture, employee intranet postings inviting colleagues to a religious service, and requests for specific foods in the company cafeteria. The "soul" train, says David W. Miller, executive director of the Yale University Center for Faith and Culture, New Haven, Conn., has left the station. He points out that the faith-at-work movement still is in its early stages and companies are uncertain how to respond. He observes that this is not unlike when the civil, women's, and gay and lesbian rights movements were just emerging.

Miller makes a distinction between being "faith-based" and "faith-friendly." He finds the former inappropriate for most large organizations, particularly if they are publicly-traded companies, since faith-based implies privileging one tradition over another. However, he concludes that a "faith-friendly"...