 Spirituality in the Workplace: The Impact of Christian Values on Management Style and Employees' Psychological Well-beingKatarzyna Szmyd, Jan Rybak and Pawel Odziomek European Research Studies Journal, 2025, vol. XXVIII, issue 1, 1085-1097 Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this article is to demonstrate how Christian spirituality and its associated values (such as human dignity, solidarity, integrity, humility, servanthood, and love for one’s neighbor) can positively influence management styles within organizations and enhance employees’ psychological well-being. The article seeks to integrate a spiritual perspective with modern management practices and mental health promotion in the workplace. Design/Methodology/Approach: This work is theoretical and review-based, with elements of literature analysis. The authors draw on documents of the Catholic Church (e.g., the encyclical Laborem exercens), academic literature in the fields of work psychology and management, as well as practical examples (such as ServiceMaster and Caritas). The article also relies on statistical data concerning stress and occupational burnout, and on empirical studies exploring the impact of spirituality on employee well-being. Findings: Work understood as a calling and a form of service enhances the sense of meaning and professional engagement. A Christian management style (e.g., servant leadership) fosters a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. Christian spirituality can reduce stress and burnout levels, strengthening employees' mental resilience. Spiritual practices (prayer, reflection, meditation) support emotional balance. Implementing spiritual values in an organization presents challenges but, when grounded in respect for diversity, can effectively function regardless of employees' individual worldviews. Practical Recommendations: The implementation of Christian values should be based on universal ethical principles and respect for diversity. Organizations should cultivate leadership rooted in servant leadership, promoting empathy, humility, and responsibility. It is advisable to create space for reflection, dialogue, and spiritual development in the workplace (e.g., workshops, retreats). Values should be integrated into human resource policies, evaluation systems, and internal communication. The personal example of leaders is essential for effectively embedding values into organizational culture. Originality value: The originality of this article lies in the combination of Christian spirituality with contemporary management theory and practice, demonstrating its practical applicability in secular and professional contexts. The authors present spirituality not merely as a religious concept but as a tangible resource that enhances work quality, interpersonal relationships, and psychological health. It is a proposed management model grounded not only in efficiency but also in humanity, community, and meaningful purpose. Keywords: Management; employees; spirituality; mental well-being. (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxviii:y:2025:i:1:p:1085-1097 Access Statistics for this article More articles in European Research Studies Journal from European Research Studies Journal |
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