Muslim colleague is uncomfortable with 1:1 meeting and work culture - to what degree should I accommodate?
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A female Muslim employee recently joined my team. I work in IT - cybersecurity as a the technical lead / team lead. She is considered to directly report to me. I am in the USA.
As a manager, I believe in collegiality in the workplace, minimization of hierarchy between team members, and open communication. I value growth in my team members and see myself as a guide / mentor, not someone who commands and dictates from above as a boss to be obeyed without question.
When I was scheduling the first 1:1 with this new team member, she asked whether she can have someone else accompany her when meeting with me or for our meeting to occur in the open rather than inside a conference room. I talked to her to find out why and she responded that interactions between men and women are not usually as open as the United States, and are somewhat viewed with caution. She also mentioned that hierarchy is more valued in the work culture of her country.
