Muslims coming to Britain

1

• Muslims coming to Britain
• Matthew Hill, Hill Networks Limited
• A Cultural Illustration for
• Managers and In-pats
• Sofia, Bulgaria
• 26th April 2007

2

• Matthew Hill
• Background to session
• Rapid entry into the UK
• Visibility inside Professional Firm
• Visibility to Firms clients
• UK Managers experiencing significant resistance
• Key Ideas Britain Values and Beliefs
• Perceptions - Ours and the Other Persons
• Culture and Communication
• Working effectively with the British

3
Who was involved? Participants UK HR
PROFESSIONALS UK MANAGERS MUSLIM - INBOUND
PROFESSIONALS NON MUSLIM INBOUND PROFESSIONALS
4
Context What stops us from dealing with
the issues directly? Political Correctness
Euphemisms British Indirectness Fear
offence, patronising Dont mention the
war Guilt about media hype Fear of
Litigation Discrimination
cases Legislation Pressure to
avoid the subject Company Ethos Treat
everybody the same
5
Context - Attitudes towards Foreigners Media hype
e.g. Terrorists Asylum seekers
Government payments UK Job security The
Black economy Immigration out of control
6

• Critical Incidents
• Prayer times
• Authority Taking orders from a
  female manager
• Staring
• Social interaction Alcohol
• Punctuality / Productivity

7

• The Other Perspective
• Gender Compare overseas
  environment
• Prayers Unconscious habit practiced
  by the majority
• Punctuality Social norms
• Alcohol - How can you achieve social
  engagement in an alternative
  environment?

8

• CULTURAL OUTCOMES
• Gender Effect of UK women and Muslim
  .. Men
• Prayers Raised Awareness / Sensitivity
• Punctuality Compromise
• Alcohol - Social Attendance increased

9

• Results
• Client Complaints - Dropped
• UK Manager Complaints - Dropped
• Assignment Failures - Dropped
• Culture Shock HR reported as less severe
• Credibility of Programme Good Feedback

10
Key Issues Invisible Difference HR Restricted
Scope for Action UK Media Lead Attitudes Work
Place Conservatism British Silence
11
Conclusion Fear and Rules - Obstruction
Process Perspective Result Incidents,
Feelings Lesson Tackle the issue
12

• Questions and Answers
• The End