Focusing on diversity and inclusion can sometimes lead to resistance. The case below is an example of this.
In a processing plant, employees monitor production facility continuity day and night (in a shift system). They must take immediate action if there are faults or problems with the installations.
By focusing on diversity and inclusion, the company has been recruiting more and more Muslims in recent years. Some of them need to be able to pray five times a day in a quiet environment. That is why they are sent to the changing room during their day or night shift. Non-Muslims express their incomprehension. What will happen when a problem arises and some colleagues have to start a prayer at that time?
Although this situation has existed for years, the management only became aware of it recently. Management is unsure as to how to respond to this. They do not want to discriminate agains either party or facilitate further polarisation
between Muslims and non-Muslims. Furthermore, there are no Muslims in the management, so they are uncertain whether they can communicate respectfully about the importance of the prayer. Finally, they wonder what they can do at all? After all these years, they cannot suddenly ask the Muslims concerned to refrain from praying during working hours. For the time being, the management adopts a wait-and-see approach.
Four levels of resistance
Level 1: existence
Level 2: significance
Level 3: change possibilities
Level 4: personal abilities
Exercise resistance
If you think of the case of the chemical processing company, what level of resistance is the management at?
The management of the processing plant is at level 3 ‘change possibilities’ of resistance.
The management acknowledges the difference between Muslims and non-Muslims (level 1 not applicable). They also acknowledge that the difference so far has caused inequality (level 2 not applicable). However, they are in doubt as to how they should react (level 3).
For the time being, the management should pay attention to dealing with level 3 of resistance. Once this level has been overcome, a new question arises: what concrete actions will they take? How much priority do they want to give to the situation and how many resources do they want to invest in it? These questions are at level 4 of resistance.
Possible actions
The management of the processing plant could…