Resolving or living with conflicts at work? The case of high-tech Jewish Ultra-Orthodox employees

The objectives of this article are to describe and analyze the perceptions and experiences of Ultra-Orthodox men working in the high-tech industry: the identity conflict that they might experience and how they live with, or resolve, this conflict. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 self-identified Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men. The study shows that employees from segregated religious backgrounds face four specific challenges, relating to their faith, spirituality, and emotions, the meaning attributed to work, their cultural identity, and their social identity. These challenges may be experienced as sources of identity conflict. The study also explored the various ways in which employees interpret and or justify their positions in relation to these challenges and, accordingly, their workplace integration.