At Delivery Hero, we know that employees who are able to come to work being their authentic selves feel more engaged, stay motivated longer, and are more likely to contribute their ideas to solve our unique business problems.
Our belief systems and cultural heritage contribute to a fundamental aspect of who we are. So being in a workplace that empowers you to connect this part of your identity to your work can have a big impact – on the individual and the organization as a whole.
Empowering employees to be themselves at work is a key goal of our HeroCommunities. Along these lines, we spoke to Ashar Tuffaha and Nabil Badjuber of our employee resource group, the Muslim Heroes, to understand what it means to find community and how they bring their full selves to work.
What role does community play for you at work?
Ashar Tuffaha: To me, community provides both moral and professional support. For example, new community members can reach out for advice on how to adapt to a new work culture. Having the Muslim Heroes as a community also reinforces the feeling of belonging to the organization, especially for new joiners.
Nabil Badjuber: For me, a community is a place where I get the chance to give as well as receive support from people. Through this, being in a community helps me to get a sense of belonging and connection with others in my workplace. Furthermore, a community also helps me to feel good and keeps me motivated to reach my personal goals and do better for myself. The knowledge-sharing sessions, meetups, and gatherings provide me with a space to gain a new level of understanding as well as fine-tune my skills to improve my work.
What practice from your faith do you find applicable in a work environment?
Ashar Tuffaha: The first thing that comes to mind is discipline, whether it’s praying, fasting, or wearing the hijab. These practices build self-discipline, which is crucial to succeeding in any aspect of life. However in a work context, self-discipline is what gives you a great work ethic, motivates you to show up on time, respect deadlines, and what helps you to push through hard times when motivation may falter.
Nabil Badjuber: Every faith teaches humanity to do good things even though the specific practice may vary from one faith to another. In the work environment, my faith teaches me to work hard and go outside to either socialize or help people in need. I find this practice of giving back aligned with our values “we are Heroes because we care” and “we always aim higher.” My faith inspires me to incorporate these values into my work.
What does it mean to you to be open and authentic about religion or cultural background at work?
Ashar Tuffaha: Personally, I’m very conscious of the fact that what I’m wearing could be considered a controversial “religious symbol”, and that it is likely one of the first things that people notice when they see me!
Being open about how I choose to represent myself helps me get past any initial assumptions that people may have. It reinforces the fact that my work and my contribution to this organization is what matters at the end of the day – much more than what I chose to wear.
Nabil Badjuber: In the workplace, we encounter people from different backgrounds and this can be a new experience for people who are not used to it. In my opinion, being authentic means that we are worthy of people’s acceptance. In essence, it is the feeling of being safe and secure and being able to enjoy your work environment.
What personal or professional impacts do you notice when a business recognizes and provides a space for underrepresented groups?
Ashar Tuffaha: On a personal level, it helps underrepresented groups integrate a bit better, especially when your friends from the office become friends outside the office. It improves the overall experience of being from abroad and being able to feel like you belong in a new country.
On a professional level, it creates empathy which helps to minimize unconscious or hidden biases a person might have. In the end, this contributes to a better work atmosphere, where the value of people’s ideas is prioritized over what they look like or where they come from.
Nabil Badjuber: From my perspective, recognition for underrepresented groups could have several positive impacts, such as giving people the space to express their personal beliefs. Furthermore, from a professional point of view, the recognition of different groups and identities helps people to feel motivated and therefore could lead to more business success.
What does inclusivity in a work environment mean to you?
Ashar Tuffaha: Inclusivity in the work environment means that people from all backgrounds are recognized, accepted, and acknowledged. Personally, it gives me the security and reassurance that I, too, deserve a place amongst the industry professionals and experts.
Nabil Badjuber: I believe that in an inclusive work environment, people feel accepted. It could also mean that we embrace diversity to reach a common goal, no matter our background or culture.
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