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Is it a career advantage to be a Protestant?

I was discussing things online with an American engineer who mentioned that engineers in the US tend not to be particularly religious but it's an advantage to be a Protestant if you want to rise to a senior position or go into management. A general trend exists that in lower to middle ranking positions in industry religion is immaterial but above middle positions there is a correlation between seniority and Protestant commitment. That doesn't mean that chief engineers or corporate bosses are holier than thou or even attend church regularly, or more regularly than junior engineers, but they possess a strong knowledge of the Bible and the tenets of Protestantism. They are also admirers of John Calvin and his ideals.


Does a similar phenomenon exist in Britain?
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  • David McQuiggan:

    What is his source of data?




    Personal experiences over the years. His industry is aerospace.




    Alasdair Anderson:

    Andy,

    With regard to Scotland, at least in the central belt where there is more polarisation, it used to be similar to Northern Ireland in some industries where if you were protestant you could progress (particularly if a member of the Orange Order) while if you were Catholic the lack of progression was down to not being employed in the first place. Thankfully this is not something I have experienced (I am not a Catholic, just against discrimination) and, as far as I am aware, there was never the violence simmering just under the surface as there was in NI, at least not in living memory.




    Northern Ireland, Central Scotland, and also parts of Merseyside, were exceptional cases UK wide but the scenario in these three areas was more of a grievance towards Catholicism rather than Protestantism being of benefit to career progression. Catholics struggled to access any form of employment whereas in the US religious beliefs are immaterial for getting a low to middle ranking position.  



     

Reply

  • David McQuiggan:

    What is his source of data?




    Personal experiences over the years. His industry is aerospace.




    Alasdair Anderson:

    Andy,

    With regard to Scotland, at least in the central belt where there is more polarisation, it used to be similar to Northern Ireland in some industries where if you were protestant you could progress (particularly if a member of the Orange Order) while if you were Catholic the lack of progression was down to not being employed in the first place. Thankfully this is not something I have experienced (I am not a Catholic, just against discrimination) and, as far as I am aware, there was never the violence simmering just under the surface as there was in NI, at least not in living memory.




    Northern Ireland, Central Scotland, and also parts of Merseyside, were exceptional cases UK wide but the scenario in these three areas was more of a grievance towards Catholicism rather than Protestantism being of benefit to career progression. Catholics struggled to access any form of employment whereas in the US religious beliefs are immaterial for getting a low to middle ranking position.  



     

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