#LifeAtATT isn’t just a hashtag. It is how we share our differences, our similarities, our culture, our lives! We are a diverse and inclusive community celebrating each of those differences, similarities and cultures to create greatness. It allows each of us to bring our authentic selves to work each day.

“One thing we take very seriously within AT&T is inclusion,” Seth Zimmer said. “We put a great deal of focus and action on it.”

Inclusion Includes Faith

Seth Zimmer

For many, faith plays an important role in defining one’s full self. However, we often don’t feel comfortable bringing up the subject in everyday conversation. Seth, an AT&T employee who practices his Jewish faith, realized there was a need for recognition. One where he and his #LifeAtATT peers can provide more opportunities for employees to bring their full selves to the workplace.

“I believe a safe space plays a significant role for many people,” Seth said. “If I know you don’t eat pork for reasons of faith, I make sure you have something to eat for the group lunch. You’re not being inclusive if someone can’t join the meal, or if someone is made uncomfortable for having to choose between work and a religious holiday.”

Seth is very open about his faith. So much so that it landed him a seat next to Corey Anthony, SVP, Chief Diversity & Development Officer, and Rachel Simon, VP of Privacy, to talk about how recognizing our differences, including faith, helps us connect better with each other.

Conversations with Corey: Representation for All Identities

These important discussions foster understanding and trust among colleagues. This realization marked the beginning of Faith@Work, an interfaith Employee Group that opens opportunities for discussions between members of different faiths, which Seth co-founded with Mohammed Farshori.

Mohammed Farshori

“My name announces my faith before I enter the room,” Mohammed said, “and my faith plays a role in who I am. I am a champion of Corporate Social Responsibility, an immigrant, an Asian-Indian, a husband, a father of two kids and a Muslim. We talk about everything else that makes us who we are, so why not talk about faith? That was the gap.

If we bring people together to have a dialogue, they may be surprised to see the similarities between each other’s faith.”

Seth and Mohammed believe discussions on faith require stepping away from viewing religions as monoliths. Mohammed shared how events from the Employee Groups can highlight how the same type of faith can uniquely impact a member’s life based on their cultural backgrounds.

“We talk about the importance of everyone bringing their full selves to work,” Seth said. “Faith is one of the things that brings the full self for many.”

 

Read more about our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion at AT&T and our many different Employee Groups.