Work as a Calling Has Unexpected Downsides

Many workers who see their work as a spiritual calling wind up tolerating unfair treatment and poor work conditions.

By Elaine Howard Ecklund, Professor of Sociology and Director of The Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, Rice University; Brenton Kalinowski, PhD Candidate, Rice University and Denise Daniels, Hudson T. Harrison Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship, Wheaton College (Illinois)

A sense of calling can provide workers a feeling of higher purpose in their jobs. megaflopp/Getty Images

Many Americans — especially young adults — want to do work that feels meaningful. Creating meaning for oneself may be especially important as fewer workplaces provide good pay and benefits to their employees.

Those who are religious or spiritual often want to connect their faith to their work through a sense of calling. But there can be unexpected downsides for those who do so. People who say they feel “called” report better work and life satisfaction, but they may also be less likely to address workplace problems or unfair treatment when it arises.

Faith in workplaces

As scholars who study religion in the workplace, we have found that about 1 in 5 American workers agree with the statement, “I see my work as a spiritual calling.” Most of those who see their work…