By Kristine Milbrandt
Wartburg College’s 44th Annual Corporation Education Day on Tuesday, Oct. 9, will focus on spirituality in the workplace.
Dr. David W. Miller, director of the “Princeton University Faith and Work Initiative,” will deliver the keynote address in McCaskey Lyceum of Saemann Student Center at 11:30 a.m. His book, “God at Work: The History and Promise of the Faith at Work Movement,” challenges business academics and executives to think differently about faith, ethics and work.
“The study of religion often investigates beliefs, rituals, and practices, and how they manifest themselves in various spheres of life,” said Dr. Timothy Ewest, Wartburg associate professor of business administration and an ordained minister. “One such sphere, the workplace, is emerging as an important field of inquiry, where the role of faith and work is of increasing academic and practical interest.”
Ewest, a friend of Miller’s, has been a visiting research collaborator at Princeton University’s Faith and Work Initiative, which has published numerous articles and a book on workplace spirituality.
Ewest believes that faith shapes and informs not just value systems, but also attitudes toward work.
“Research shows that most students, workers, marketplace professionals and leaders wish to live a holistic life that integrates, among other things, faith and work, but have few resources to help them do that,” Ewest said.
This year’s Corporation Education Day will consider how students and business leaders can honor the religious rights of their employees in an increasingly diverse society.
Miller and Noel White, senior group vice president of Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., will hold a group discussion at 1:30 in the lyceum. Tyson is a leader in accommodating and supporting people of various faith traditions within the workplace.
“While not endorsing any specific faith tradition, Tyson goes out of its way to make sure people of faith feel safe as they express, integrate and are motivated by their faith tradition in work,” Ewest said. “It is one of the few organizations in the country that hires workplace chaplains representing a variety of faiths to help employees bring their whole selves to work.”
Miller and White will discuss what it means to value religion and spirituality in the workplace and how that can benefit the company through increased employee satisfaction.