Question

Find out three Canadian organizations or CEOs that have encourage more openness toward spirituality in their organizations. What, if any, commonalities exist in these organizations?(350 words)

Answer 1

Canadian organizations are opening door to more spirituality at workplace. Three Canadian organizations that have encouraged more openness towards spirituality in their organization are

Telus Corporation: The company allows their employees to retreat to a “quiet room” when they are on a break. In this room, the employees can meditate, practice yoga, tai chi, or pray. The purpose of these “quiet rooms” is to allow employees to connect with their inner self. Through this the company is experiencing increased staff satisfaction and engagement at workplace.

Capital Care: Capital Care provides long term care facility for the aged and the ailing. The staff periodically go through programs that is focused on spirituality. The discussion in this programs revolve around visualization, meditation and how people are connected to something larger than themselves. Such programs allow spiritual development of employees and help them establish a better mental health.

Sobey School of Business at St. Mary’s University, Halifax: Sobey School of Business has built a center for spirituality and workplace in their campus. The facility not only encourages spiritual development at work but also studies various factors and trends associated with it

These organizations are vastly different from one another in terms of work, industry and the way of encouraging spirituality. Hence, we cannot exactly see any direct commonality. However, this also proves that Canadian organizations across different industries and domains are encouraging spiritual development at workplace. There have been trend of physical and psychological development at workplace for a long time. Facilities such as gymnasiums and counselling services are quite common at large organizations. However, the organizations are now adding additional capabilities to improve the spirituality of the employees.

There has been formation of an independent center of spirituality in Toronto and Vancouver. Even though some of the managers are reluctant to allow employees to bring their spiritual feelings to work, there have been significant movement in organizations regarding spirituality. One of the reasons is the employees who have the facility to nurture their spirituality at work often experience better relationship with colleagues and a larger sense of community. No doubt, Canadian organizations are moving forward with it.