CEO/Board Brief: Faith and Belief Inclusion as a Workplace Governance Issue (2026)

Context:
John Deere shareholders will vote on February 25, 2026, on a proposal asking the Board to assess the reputational, human capital, operational, and legal risks of failing to allow faith-based business resource groups (BRGs). Deere is urging shareholders to vote against the proposal.

Why this matters:
Faith and belief inclusion is emerging as a board-level workplace culture issue, distinct from broader political debates. Employees increasingly expect workplaces to accommodate religious identity fairly and consistently.

Key business considerations:

• — Talent and engagement: Religious employees who feel excluded may disengage or leave.
• — Culture and trust: Belonging includes faith and belief, not only other visible identities.
• — Risk management: Clear policies and manager training reduce the risk of favoritism, coercion, or conflict.
• — Governance trend: Shareholder proposals on faith inclusion are now appearing at major public companies.

Recommended action:
Companies should proactively benchmark workplace practices on faith and belief inclusion rather than react under external pressure.

Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index opportunity:
The Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index, used by many Fortune 500 companies, provides a structured benchmarking tool to evaluate organizational readiness, identify gaps, and demonstrate measurable progress.

The 2026 Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index survey is now open, and companies are invited to participate. https://religiousfreedomandbusiness.org/redi

Bottom line:
Faith is returning to the workplace as a strategic human capital issue. Boards that lead with clarity will be better positioned to strengthen culture, retain talent, and reduce risk.

Brian Grim, Ph.D.
President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation
January 29, 2026
Contact: contact@religiousfreedomandbusiness.org

For a more detailed Governance / Human Capital Committee Brief (2026), download:

Board Oversight Brief: Faith and Belief Inclusion as a Workplace Culture and Risk Issue

Why companies are reintroducing faith into workplace culture

John Deere Combine Harvester Harvesting Wheat in Field, Stephan Botezatu, Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, July 28, 2015 | Canva

Brian Grim
President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation

At John Deere’s upcoming annual shareholders meeting on February 25, the board will face a question that more corporate leaders should be prepared to address: how should companies respond to the role of faith and belief in workplace culture?

A shareholder proposal submitted by Bowyer Research requests that Deere’s Board evaluate and report on the reputational, human capital, operational, legal, and other relevant risks of failing to allow faith-based business resource groups (BRGs).

Deere has urged shareholders to vote against the proposal, arguing that producing such a report would divert resources from strategic priorities and advance the views of the proponent.

Regardless of the outcome, the significance is clear: faith and belief inclusion has entered the boardroom.

For many employers, religion has long been viewed as a sensitive topic, raising concerns about misunderstanding, favoritism, or conflict. Legal experts emphasize that organizations must balance accommodation with clear guardrails, manager training, and consistent policies.

Yet the underlying reality is straightforward. Employees do not leave their faith or deeply held beliefs at the door when they come to work. For millions of workers, belief is a source of meaning, identity, and resilience. Companies that ignore this dimension of human experience risk weakening engagement and trust. Companies that address it thoughtfully can strengthen culture and retention.

A faith-and-belief-friendly workplace is not about endorsing religion. It is about fairness, dignity, and ensuring that employees of all faiths—and those with no religious affiliation—feel respected and included.

That is why the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation created the Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index, a benchmarking tool used by many Fortune 500 companies, that enables companies to assess and improve how well they are supporting faith and belief inclusion as part of workplace culture.

The 2026 REDI Index survey is now open, and we invite companies of every size and sector to participate. Benchmarking is one of the most practical steps an organization can take to evaluate its current posture, identify gaps, mitigate risk, and demonstrate measurable progress.

Boards and leadership teams will increasingly be asked not whether faith belongs at work, but whether they are managing religious inclusion with the same discipline, professionalism, and strategic clarity applied to every other dimension of human capital.

• — To request the 2026 Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index survey, visit here.
  

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Additional Resources and Commentary

Incentivizing Freedom: Building a Global Accountability Architecture Through Business, Policy, and Collaborative Reform

Washington DC: Monday, February 2, 2026, 2:00 PM to 2:40 PM EST, Washington DC Hilton Hotel

This high-level IRF Summit panel will dissect the strategies needed to construct a comprehensive and effective global framework for religious freedom accountability. The discussion moves beyond solely punitive measures (such as sanctions) to focus on creating a self-reinforcing cycle of success through collaboration. The core focus is how key sectors—including business, policy, and reform initiatives—can work together to generate concrete solutions. Experts will provide an analysis of how market incentives can be utilized as economic leverage. This includes detailing how businesses and investors can employ tools—such as preferential trade agreements, corporate due diligence standards, investing metrics, and procurement policies—to reward governments and entities that protect religious freedom, and penalize those that violate it. We will also examine mechanisms for international pressure and the amplification of positive policies and successful programs already implemented by national governments. The ultimate goal is to define an accountability architecture driven by market forces and collaborative policy, creating actionable, evidence-based frameworks that align global pressure with local positive change and ensure tangible successes for religious freedom worldwide.

Confirmed Speakers & Moderator

Brian Grim (President, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation) Dr. Grim is a leading expert on the socio-economic benefits of religious freedom, specializing in how faith-friendly workplaces and religious diversity drive global economic growth. His research provides a unique data-driven perspective on why protecting religious liberty is a critical interest for the international business community.

Yusuf Khaled (Third Secretary, Embassy of Bahrain) Mr. Khaled offers insight into the Kingdom of Bahrain’s regional leadership in promoting interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence through initiatives like the “King Hamad Global Centre.” His perspective is vital for understanding the role of diplomatic engagement and national frameworks in fostering religious pluralism within the Middle East.

Brett Scharffs (Director, International Center for Law and Religion Studies) — Moderator Professor Scharffs is a distinguished legal scholar who has dedicated his career to the comparative study of law and religion, with a focus on protecting freedom of conscience in diverse constitutional frameworks. He brings extensive experience in international diplomacy and legal education, making him an expert at navigating the complex intersection of human rights and state policy.

The Faith-Friendly Workplace ‘REDI’ Index is the premier tool for benchmarking faith-and-belief friendly workplace policies and actions. It measures an organisation’s commitment to including religion & belief as part of its overall people and belonging initiatives..

In this session, RFBF president Brian Grim will give an overview of the 2026 survey, with examples of best practices, followed by Q&A.

• — Thursday, February 12
• — 12-12:30pm ET / 9am PT / 5pm UK
• — Registration required (free)

The 2026 survey will have the same 11 questions as in the 2025 survey, each worth 10 points, for a total of 110 points. Scoring for each point will be based on (a) answering in the affirmative with some evidence (5 points), and (b) demonstrating that the efforts are substantial (up to 5 additional points). The “b” part of each question offers the same “tick” lists as in 2024, which were based on company open-ended responses from the 2022 REDI Index survey.

Learn more here, including how to request a survey for your company and a link to download a pdf of the full questionnaire.

As in previous years, there will be a BONUS question. This year, we encourage participating companies to share their most impactful event or initiative in the past 12 months.

Even More in a Digital, Global Business World

We live in an age when we can connect with anyone, anywhere, instantly. Yet as our tools for communication have multiplied, something essential has become easier to overlook: the power of being in the same room.

That truth comes through clearly in the voices captured in this video—and in the lived experience of those who gather at Dare to Overcome, the National Faith@Work ERG Conference.

“There are so many people on the planet who express a belief system,” one participant notes. “And if you want to do business on a global level today, you have to be able to talk to those people.”

Faith, belief, and values are not abstract concepts. They shape how people build trust, make decisions, and define integrity. And while digital platforms help us exchange information, relationships—especially across belief systems—are built most powerfully face-to-face.

At Dare to Overcome, leaders from Fortune 500 companies describe the gathering as an “epicenter”—a place where what’s actually happening inside corporations and communities comes into focus. When people meet in person, conversations go deeper. Listening improves. Learning accelerates.

“I’ve met people from all over the world … with a common interest and a real passion for this,” a participant shares.

That passion is hard to replicate on a screen. In-person, people don’t just compare policies, they share stories, challenges, and practical lessons from what actually works: spiritual care models, empowered ERGs, and values-driven leadership approaches.

In my faith tradition, there’s a phrase: iron sharpens iron. That’s what happens when people gather with shared purpose. Leaders challenge one another, learn from each other’s successes and missteps, and leave better equipped to lead authentically in complex environments.

This matters now more than ever. As companies navigate global markets and increasingly diverse workforces, understanding how faith and belief shape culture, integrity, and performance isn’t optional. It’s strategic.

Dare to Overcome 2026 is designed around that reality. Alongside the unveiling of groundbreaking global research on faith, integrity, and corporate success, the true value will be found in the conversations around it — the unscripted exchanges, the peer learning, and the relationships formed in hallways and over meals.

Digital tools will continue to connect us. But transformation still happens when people show up.

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Ready to be in the room? Join Fortune 500 ERG leaders shaping the future of faith-friendly workplaces.

📍 Dare to Overcome 2026 🗓 May 20–21 | Washington, D.C.

👉 Register now

Show up. Connect. Lead.

Join us February 11, 2026, at noon ET for a 30-minute information session on the premier national gathering for Fortune 500 Faith@Work ERGs.

Register here (free)

Who should attend:
Workplace leaders involved with, exploring, or launching a faith-or-belief ERG; workplace culture pros; line leaders curious about how faith and values strengthen culture and performance. This is valuable for both veterans and those just getting started.

Undecided? See video:

Three Benefits of For Your Organization

By Brian Grim

In today’s global workforce, belonging has become a business imperative — not a “nice to have.” Yet one dimension of inclusion has often been overlooked: faith and belief.

That is changing.

Our Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index has emerged as a leading benchmarking tool for organizations that want to understand not just whether they are inclusive, but how effectively faith and belief are embedded into workplace culture, policies, and leadership practices.

Based on growing participation across Fortune 500 companies and beyond, three clear benefits stand out for organizations that benchmark their progress.

1️⃣ Clear Insight Into Faith-Inclusion Maturity

You can’t improve what you don’t measure.

A tool like the REDI Index provides organizations with a structured, data-driven assessment of faith-friendly practices — from religious accommodations and inclusive policies to employee resource groups and leadership engagement.

Benchmarking delivers:

• — A clear picture of strengths and gaps
• — Insight into how your organization compares with peers
• — Practical guidance on where to focus next

This moves faith inclusion from intention to measurable strategy, giving leaders clarity and confidence as they build more inclusive workplaces.

2️⃣ Stronger Talent Engagement, Attraction, and Retention

Employees want to bring their whole selves to work — including their faith or belief identity.

Organizations that benchmark and improve their faith-friendly practices send a powerful signal of respect and trust. The result is higher engagement, stronger loyalty, and a workplace culture where people feel seen and supported.

When employees experience that level of inclusion, they are more likely to:

• — Stay longer
• — Be more engaged and productive
• — Serve as ambassadors for the organization’s values

In a competitive talent market, faith-friendly workplaces gain a meaningful edge.

3️⃣ A More Inclusive Culture That Drives Reputation and Results

Benchmarking faith inclusion is not just about internal culture — it’s also about leadership and reputation.

Companies that explicitly include religion and belief as part of their belonging and inclusion efforts demonstrate credibility, cultural intelligence, and readiness for a global marketplace. This strengthens relationships with customers, communities, and stakeholders alike.

As recent REDI Index findings show, a growing number of leading companies now recognize faith inclusion as foundational to:

• — Innovation and collaboration
• — Brand trust and social responsibility
• — Long-term organizational resilience

Faith inclusion is no longer peripheral — it is part of how high-performing organizations lead.

Final Thought

Benchmarking with the Faith-Friendly Workplace REDI Index signals that an organization is serious about belonging — not just in principle, but in practice.

It provides clarity for leaders, strengthens talent outcomes, and supports a culture that fuels both performance and trust.

As the faiths and beliefs of employees continues to shape the modern workplace, organizations that measure and improve today will be the ones that lead tomorrow.

REQUEST A SURVEY FOR 2026 (FREE)

2026 Dare to Overcome student intern volunteer opportunities

Join Dr. Brian J. Grim, founder of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, at the BYU Sorensen Center this Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2 PM for an information session on student internship opportunities at the 7th annual Fortune 500 Faith@Work “Dare to Overcome” conference in Washington DC.

(Contact Robert Rex for additional details.)

Dare to Overcome student intern volunteers will help with the logistics at the annual Dare to Overcome (DTO) conference, May 20-21, 2026 in Washington DC.

This is the 7th national Faith@Work ERG* and Corporate Chaplain Conference put on by the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation in partnership with the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC, where it is held.

In addition, student intern volunteers will have the unique opportunity to meet and serve as liaisons to Fortune 500 and other corporate representatives at the conference, getting an inside look at how people of diverse backgrounds put their faiths to practice as top professionals. They will also receive recognition and a certificate at the end of the event.

Students of all faiths and beliefs (including those who are religiously unaffiliated) are welcome to apply!

Student intern volunteers who are accepted are responsible to cover all costs getting to/from Washington DC. They also will need to certify that they have medical insurance. Student scholarships are available to cover conference fees as well as room and board during the conference.

Student intern volunteers must arrive at the Busch School of Business by 4:00 PM on Monday, May 19, 2025, for orientation and to help with set up for the conference. They will be fully engaged in both liaison and logistics activities through 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 21, to assist with breakdown of the conference.

You can see the testimonies of two interns from previous years:
– My Research Took on New Meaning at Dare to Overcome
– When you are able to bring your whole self to work, expect greatness: An Intern story

Questions? Email Robert Rex, DTO Conference Director.

*ERG = Employee Resource Group (a company-sponsored, employee-led affinity group that helps employees feel included