How to Avoid Compromising in the Workplace

As Christians, how can we ensure that we don’t conform to attitudes and actions at work that might compromise our beliefs?

I went through difficult times when I decided to fully commit myself to God’s way of life while working at a company I had been with for nearly two years. My colleagues and manager were accustomed to my taking on extra tasks and rarely taking time off. However, negative comments and accusations arose as I prioritized my faith, making it even more challenging. 

When I wanted to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, the anxiety of informing my manager and the fear of losing my job overwhelmed me. Eventually, I mustered the courage to tell him, but he said “no” to my request for time off. In response, I told him that it might be best if I just left the company since I would be going to the Feast regardless of his decision. He agreed, so I resigned. 

Surprisingly, I didn’t become sad, because I believed God would be with me through this difficult situation. 

I sought God’s guidance with prayer and fasting and began looking for new job opportunities. Remarkably, four companies contacted me, and I went through several recruitment processes. 

However, as my 30-day handover period was ending, my manager approached me with regret, realizing my departure would be a significant loss.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of separating ourselves from the world. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Paul warns us against being “unequally yoked,” urging us to avoid commitments that hinder us from fully following God’s way. 

Of course, we have to have a job and work in this world. However, the values, expectations and behaviors in many workplaces may not align with our beliefs. If we are not careful, our workplaces can pose a spiritual threat.

Our workplaces can pressure us to conform.

How do we navigate this challenge in the workplace?

The reality and the challenges

There are several instances in which employees can be tempted to conform. For example, if your colleagues invite the whole team for drinks on a Friday night and everyone says “yes” except for you, they might pressure you into relenting. 

There is also the challenge of requesting time off from work to observe God’s feasts. Not everyone has the privilege of taking multiple personal days; some might lose their jobs for being away for an extended period of time. 

This can even lead one to experience bullying, as some colleagues might view your leave as a burden because they’ll have to cover additional responsibilities. 

In these situations, it can be tempting to compromise. You might feel you should do whatever it takes to avoid discrimination, exclusion, avoidance, judgment or fear of limiting your career growth.   

How is peer pressure connected to conformity in the workplace?

The Oxford Dictionary defines peer pressure as “social pressure by members of one’s peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted.”

Due to various fears, we often worry about what others will think of us. We fear that we will be left out and excluded if we don’t conform to what the majority is doing. Many work-related events occur on Saturdays, and others are associated with events that God has strictly commanded us not to participate in, such as Halloween parties, Easter celebrations, Valentine’s Day and Christmas parties.

How to handle these challenges comes down to our choices, responses and action plans. Paul wrote that we should not conform to the world’s ways (Romans 12:2). This applies to our careers, and there are ways we can make it easier to avoid sinful types of conformity.

We should make a commitment to practice our beliefs in the workplace.

How can we practice our beliefs in the workplace?

When others respect your beliefs and values, they may feel less inclined to pressure you to conform. And there are certain things we can do that can earn the respect of others. 

1. Set proper expectations.

During the recruitment process, we can communicate our “nonnegotiables” upfront or at least before accepting a job offer. Letting a prospective employer know in advance that we have anticipated leaves for religious observances will help us determine if that’s something that they will allow. 

2. Be consistent.

Consistency is crucial in all successful relationships, including professional ones. We’ll need to decline to engage in activities that compromise our beliefs (for example, going out with colleagues on a Friday night, working on a Sabbath day, consuming unclean meats, etc.) and then remain steadfast. If we give in once, our colleagues will try to use our past agreement against us, assuming that we might compromise again in similar situations. 

3. Give our best at work.

We cannot simply demand flexibility without proving ourselves to be good workers. We must demonstrate our dedication. As stated in Colossians 3:22-23, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

By diligently performing our job, we can earn our employer’s trust and demonstrate that our scheduled time off will not affect our job performance. 

4. Be kind.

Treat others with kindness and follow the Golden Rule of “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). 

Building healthy relationships with colleagues requires kindness, trust, resilience and consistency. We must exhibit Christian values in the workplace.  

By consistently obeying God’s laws and seeking His help and guidance, we can make decisions that will prevent us from conforming to negative pressures at work. 

For more insight on the biblical approach to work, read “Hard Work” and “What Does the Bible Say About Quiet Quitting?” 

Rizza Villanueva attends the North Luzon, Philippines, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.