ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > September > 17 > Entry
Should companies have to alter shifts for prayer breaks?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Colorado meatpacking plant is facing a clash with the union due to the company’s alleged failure to provide religious accommodations for some of their Muslim employees.
Earlier this month, some of the Somalian workers employed by JBS Swift & Company staged a walk-out during their evening shift because management would not allow them to take their breaks around their prayer schedule for the holy month of Ramadan, which includes a mandatory prayer at sundown. A substantial amount of those that participated in the walk-out were consequently fired. The company states that they had already altered the assembly line break schedule by an hour in an attempt to meet the religious needs of the Somalian workers.
The union plans to file grievances and lawyers representing the Council on American-Islamic Relations are involved in the case as mediators. Legal action may be pursued if mediation does not settle the matter.
How far should employers have to go in order to honor the religious needs of their staff? Do you think the Muslim workers are asking for too much in this case or did the company violate their rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Comments
By Sherry
September 17, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
It was their choice to take jobs that they knew would interfere with their religious observances. It was their choice to walk out. It is the company’s choice to fire them.
I have turned down jobs that would require me to work on Sundays. My choice.
I do not think the company should be required to do anything. If the workers don’t like the opportunity there then look elsewhere. I am sure that the company can find other workers and if they can’t then maybe the company will need to make changes, but only at their own choice!
JMHO
By Sherry
September 17, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
It was their choice to take jobs that they knew would interfere with their religious observances. It was their choice to walk out. It is the company’s choice to fire them.
I have turned down jobs that would require me to work on Sundays. My choice.
I do not think the company should be required to do anything. If the workers don’t like the opportunity there then look elsewhere. I am sure that the company can find other workers and if they can’t then maybe the company will need to make changes, but only at their own choice!
JMHO
By Becky
September 17, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Heck no,they shouldn’t make changes to meet their prayer schedule. Like Sherry said, they took the job, let them make the changes..If they don’t want to maybe they should buy a business & run it the way they see fit..Did they foget that they are in AMERICA?
By Lisa
September 17, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
gee, if smokers at my workplace get to go smoke all the time why not go pray? I am so sick of smokers and their breaks any thing else is better!
By Becky
September 17, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Lisa, I’m so with you on this..We have a manager that goes out to smoke about 20 times a day..
By abc
September 17, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
It is illegal to discriminate against employees due to their religion, and if they are prohibited from practicing that religion, it’s legally discrimination. The employer must accommodate the workers religious practices, so long as they don’t pose a serious problem for the company. A bit of scheduling doesn’t constitute a serious problem. If the company in this case is sued, they’ll lose.
By kalalu
September 17, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
I’m with you, Lisa, if people can go smoke, then take a ‘smoke break’ and go pray. HOwever I also feel that the employee should make their employer aware of these types of observances and then the employer would know and could work on accomodating their workers.
By EW
September 17, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Somalian Muslims complaining, give me a fricking break here. How many indlugences do you think any Muslim country would afford Christians? ZERO, that’s how many. This is more far left pandering for politcal correctness. If they don’t like their working conditions they need to get back on a boat and head back over to that piece of crap country they fled from. Britian is going to hell in a hadbasket bening over for Muslims and someday they will pay a big price for it. We need to nip this problem in the bud and not let them get by with this. We were not founded on Muslim values, as a country we were founded on Christian values. Muslims know we’re a Christian nation, if they can’t handle that, stay away. Besides, Somalinas are filthy Third World people, why do we need then here anyway. Send them back there to starve.
By JeremiahWright
September 17, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
ABC,
The company isn’t discriminating. They’re welcome to pray outside of work hours. There’s no way I’d put up with this crap. The Muslims do this in every company.
By Sugar
September 17, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Only if they have to clock out, and then clock back in. You want to pray, do it on YOUR time, not MINE.
I am sick and tired of all these Muslims getting offended. Too freaking bad. You came here, abide by our laws. Don’t force us to abide by YOUR religious beliefs.
This country was founded on Freedom FROM religion!!!!
Don’t shove your religion in my face.
By Thinking About It
September 17, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Everyone should really pay attention to this.WE are having to change OUR way of living to accommodate the Muslims who came here.It may be a small issue this time (time off for prayer),but it will move on to bigger concessions. It was reported recently that Great Britain may have to start incorporating sharia law into some of their law,to make the Muslims happy!!! If we don’t stand up for OUR country now,we will lose it.The goal of the Islamic world is to dominate and rule the ENTIRE world.I for one don’t care to be part of THEIR world..
And I do agree with the other posters who expressed disgust with the smokers breaks.I smoked for 25 years(I quit 5 yrs ago),but when I was in the corporate world,I did my smoking on the designated break and lunch periods.But there were many who were constantly running out for a smoke.I agree that a company should be able to regulate the productivity of their employees
By Lee
September 17, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Let’s see: we Christians get the religious festival Christmas Day off. We Christians also get every Sunday off to go to church.
Many schools and companies give Jewish workers their High Holidays off, and make accomodations for them to leave early on Friday so they can get home before sunset.
Even pagans get a holiday off at New Year’s day, so they can recover after the previous night’s hangover after Old Father Time passes through.
So it is obvious that there is discrimination against Moslems who request similar accomodations for their beliefs. They will just have to fight for recognition like other Americans did. By industrial strike and legislation. It won’t be easy, and people who already have their accomodations will fight the hardest against other people getting the same Civil Rights.
Welcome to America!
By Earl
September 17, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Multi-task, pray and work at the same time. I do it daily. At work I pray that all Muslims will leave the USA by sundown. The so called council has bigger fish to fry. Why don’t they worry about how they bury women alive, burn them alive, cut the heads off people on videos and they’re worrying about prayers? I say we stand tall and have no respect for their so called murderous religion and ways of life. Let’s make is so miserable for them here they pack up their sheets and towels and head back home.
By abc
September 17, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
You don’t have to like it. It’s the way it is, take it up with HR. The company will lose a lawsuit on this.
And, who cares what religion it is? Would you postulate that America was founded on Christianity? If that were true, tolerance for other religions would be appropriate, but as it is, many of the primary founding fathers, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, were Deist or atheist.
By efg
September 17, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
This country was founded on Freedom OF Religion - not Freedom FROM Religion. We should all be free to practice our religion on the job - within the constraints of the company policies.
By ATLien
September 17, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Give me a break. If it was Christians asking for a prayer break everyone would be on board but since it’s a religion under scrutiny then everyone starts acting like Hitler. Let me know when smokers breaks become regulated or banned. I’d pay to see that happen.
By Jean
September 17, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Earl, you pray that all Muslim leave USA I am a Muslim and was born in the USA. So where do I go. If employers can allow smoke and coffee breaks , Why not prayer breaks. Which is better smoking, Coffee or prayers?
By Nixon710
September 17, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
You can pray all you want, on your own time. Don’t interfer with your employer’s business.
And if I owned my own company, I would not allow it on company time, when I am paying you to do a job. Don’t come and tell me you need to pray 15 times a day. Not on my watch. Do it on your own time.
If you are working on an assembly line, is that entire line supposed to stop production 15 times a day? NO. Practice your religion on your time.
Where I work, there are structured breaks for the hourly employees, and the salaried people can break as often as they like. We are a very small company so no one really gets upset.
By 4prayer
September 17, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
It’s scary that some of you posting on this blog will actually go out and vote in November!!!! Geesh! There are many American Muslims. Let’s think about it this way. In America, we accomodate Christians (I am one) during Christmas and Easter. We accomodates Jews during their religious holidays by allowing them to take off (I’ve witnessed it). But because they are Muslim, let’s ignore them and send them back to their caves?! How ridiculous. These employers knew who they were hiring. They were aware of their religions. Let them pray!
By Perkle
September 17, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Prayer doesn’t belong at work. If you want to take a few minutes to yourself, fine. However, to change work schedules or bother anyone else because of your need to pray to an imaginary figure in the sky is ridiculous. And I believe this regardless of which religion you belong to so I am not discriminating against muslims.
By clyde
September 17, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Muslims are going to complain until they control the world.They are going to use the laws of each Western country against that country until they have control.They absolutely refuse to assimilate.This is not about some Somali Muslems praying at work.This is about Westerners capitulating to their religion.Due to our laws of nondiscrimination this company will have no chance of winning a lawsuit.The Muslims know this.
This may sound like a conspiracy theory,but I assure you it isn’t.In Great Britain,Muslims now have Sharia law.It was ceded to them by the British Government.Thus far it’s only for civil matters,but that will change with time.Divorces,wills and domestic assault cases are now being handled by Sharia courts in Great Britain for Muslims,this without the protection of British law supervision.
Women are the losers under Sharia.In one case I read about in The Times,a will split between three daughters and two sons gave twice the settlement to the sons as it did the daughters as women are only worth 1/2 as much as a man under Sharia.In rape cases women need two witnesses to successfully win a case.Now Sharia as yet has no bearing in rape cases in Britain,but it will soon enough.
By TJW
September 17, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
4prayer: Actually, I think its illegal for the company to even ask what religion they are… you know, the whole non-descrimination thing.
As for the workers ability to pray at work, I’d say that’s entirely dependent on the type of work they agreed to do. In this case, they agreed to work on an assembly line… That is not a job you can take 15 minute random breaks on, be it to smoke, get coffee, or pray. If the Muslim workers all stop to pray, then all the other workers stop too. Now, it sounds like the company did their due diligence to try to accomidate them, but ultimately it sounds like they can not perform the job they agreed to do, to I back the company’s decision to fire them in this situation.
This country was founded on freedom of religion. You are free to practice anything you wish, but if you start to use your religion as an excuse, you’ve crossed the line.
By Soulfinger
September 17, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
I think all Muslims need one secluded land where they can all live together, rape and kill their women together and then pray for virgins.
By Mike D
September 17, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Shouldn’t they just be happy they aren’t in Somolia or any other of those crappy countries? If I were of African decent, I would just be happy some rebel group didn’t cut off my arms, or I didn’t have AIDS, or I had more than one meal a day.
What a lucky gold mine that Greely, CO got this bunch of ungraitful dumb shyts.
By Earl
September 17, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Jean, I assume you’re female? Why would any woman willingly enter into a religion that allows women to be buried alive, stoned to death or burned alive all because you have an opinion and you may want to marry a man of your choosing and not one your father, brothers and uncles picked out for you. Are you insane? I say yes you are to be American, female and Muslim. Don’t give me the crap that this murderous practice is done by a small part of Islam, it isn’t. You’re a liar to say so and again, you’re insane to willingly enter such a so called farse of a religion. Whenever I see a woman in America dressed in Islamic attire from head to toe I think of all the brave women who have fought to be included in our society and yet you willingly allow yourself to live in the stone ages. In Pakistan this summer two sister were buried alive for wanting to marry a man of thei choosing and their mother and aunt were killed and tossed in the same graves for mourning them. The overwhelming majority of local people applauded the actions of the tribal elders who killed the young girls. This is your so called religion Jean so own it, own all of it. American and Muslim is an oxymoron.
By eatme
September 17, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Companies should not have to make accommodations for any religion, ESPECIALLY not for muslim towel heads. If they don’t like it then they can go back to the desert and hump their camels!!
By Mike
September 17, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Companies should not have to indulge individual religions. And government should stay out of the religion business completely.
Hmmm. I think I’ll buy some beer at Kroger this Sunday for the game. Oh wait, I can’t do that because the Christian religious right has used government to legislate their beliefs on others and prevent companies from choosing to sell beer on Sunday or not.
I’m sure if the government did not allow companies to sell beer during Ramadan the Christian crowd would scream bloody murder.
By Cammi317
September 17, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Wow, I never knew we had so many bigots here in Georgia. The question was should employers allow breaks for prayer, period. It really doesn’t matter what religion is asking. No one asked for the rest of these racist rants. I am going to pray for you all today.
By Diane
September 17, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Being American and being Muslim just doesn’t mix. Our very lives are predicated of freedom. Islam is predicated on violence and control over women. It scares the daylights out of me to see how many European countries are blindly allowing Islam to take hold in their countries. They will regret this very, very much someday. I would like for nothing more than for America to take a militant stand against the spreading of Islam in America. Outlaw the very practice and deport those that won’t adhere to the rules that nothing remotely Islamic will be practiced or tolerated here. If not, they are to be deported to an Islamic country of their choosing. I don’t want them hurt, that will put us on the same level as them, just deport them and niever, ever allow them back into the USA. They (Muslims) will be the downfall or our freedoms and our very society. Deport all Muslims….NOW.
By Cammi317
September 17, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Gee Diane if you want to just throw out the freedom of religion, because afterall this country was founded by people trying to flee religious persecution, while you’re at it why don’t you outlaw Jews, Athiests, Buddhist, Agnostics, Catholics, Hindus, etc, or anyone else that doesn’t mimic your religious values….Yeesh!
By 4prayer
September 17, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Two questions Diane - who do you know that’s a Muslim? When did you start practicing? You statements are past ignorant!
By rptrcub
September 17, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Out of fairness, if such breaks are given for Muslim prayer beyond the normal 15 minute break times in the mornings and afternoons, those breaks should be given to everyone, regardless of religion.
By Ken
September 17, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Sugar, I’m sorry, but you’re an idiot. The Bill of Rights does not address “freedom from religion”. It says the Federal government shall not establish or interfere with the free practice there of.
Amendment I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Sugar, you are a tool. Grow up and learn about how our country works. You’re abuse the rights (freedom of speech) the country grants you by being so ignorant.
By Ken
September 17, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the duplicates and typo. I meant to finish with this: “You abuse the rights (freedom of speech) the country grants you by being so ignorant.”
By ha ha ha
September 17, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Im undecided on the prayer at work issue but what I dont condone is the way that ppl on this blog are belittling those who choose to practice a different religion than them. Just because a person chooses to live their lives different from you it doesnt make it wrong. This country is a melting pot and many different kinds of ppl and thats what makes it the great country it is today. Ive come to realize that even if everyone was exactly the same, that some ppl would just find a reason to hate. Thats just in some ppls nature
By NOWAY
September 17, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
The answer is that no!!! PC and pandering is destroying our society and the US!!!
By eatme
September 17, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Yes this country is a melting pot, so melt in, blend in but don’t go trying to change the rules to suit your ONE religion. Wake up folks, Brittain has decided to allow Shiria law
By Mark
September 17, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Believing in an entity that doesn’t exist is for children and retards.
By Sugar
September 17, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Oh well, Its freedom FROM religion in my house!!!!!!
By mohammed el al mushtar
September 17, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
I believe that as an Islamic American we should be allowed to pray to the one and only God Allah whenenever we wish. We allow the Christians to worship on Sundays, the Jewish to worship on Saturdays. Allah needs to be worshiped several times a day - everyday. It is only right because he is the true God.
Also, I wish the members of other faiths would at least acknowledge our religion by ending alcohol sales during Ramadan.
By Chris
September 17, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
I don’t think they should have gotten fired, just dock the pay for the time taken away.
Smokers take just as many breaks but no one complains about them. I’m thinking about buying a pack of cigarettes and stand outside and act like I’m smoking just to get a break.
By Jesus
September 17, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
mohammed el al mushtar we’ll give you Sundays and that’s it!!!!!
I am not going to quit drinking because of YOUR religion.
And get an American name too. You’ll go further in this country. Not too many people will hire that name……
By Blue Devil
September 17, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
If you work for a corporation in the most any state, you are at the beck, call, adn mercy of your employer. By accepting a job, you are accepting their policies carte blanche.
If you want prayer breaks, go work for a Muslim owned company.
By Cammi317
September 17, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
“mohammed el al mushtar” … you wouldn’t be someone deliberately trying to start problems, now would you? Nice try, move on.
By mohammed el al mushtar
September 17, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
To Cammi317, are you a woman? Why are you allowed to use a computer?
As an Islamic American I have every right to state my beliefs.
By EMMA
September 17, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Why can’t we just answer the quesion? No employers should not allow breaks for prayer. If you are mad because you can’t pray QUIT! I respect everyone’s religion, I think I got everything in my own family. But d#!n when do you say enough is enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop whining, Atlanta is full of cry babies
By Ken
September 17, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Sugar said “Oh well, Its freedom FROM religion in my house!!!!!!”
Well, that’s because you’re still a tool. It’s your right to not follow any religion and respectfully (which is a word I doubt you understand) not to have someone else’s religion “shoved in your face”. That also means you do not have to perform any action that goes against your choice. You’re not Muslim, so you don’t have a need to pray as perscribed in the Quran, but they do. You are not affected one bit by this choice and your attitude is bigotted.
You are exactly the type of person that would not favor handicap access 30 years ago or even worse still have segregated water fountains. Pandora’s Box of equality is open and one can not grant rights to one without accomodating the others.
If they said athiests, agnostics and other non-believers of any religious creed are to work extra for less pay and get only one fifteen minute lunch break while all believers can get five breaks, work only six hours and paid double, I’d fight for you, too.
However, as of now, your ignorance makes you less of an American than any of those Somali workers that have obtained citizenship. Stop abusing your rights by looking foolish.
By Cammi317
September 17, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
LOL…funny. Have a nice evening, whomever you are.
By GA GUY
September 17, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
You can legally be fired from your job in Georgia if your employer even suspects you of being gay. That’s a fact. I don’t think anyone in this backward state has to worry about getting in trouble for praying at work. I am surprised it’s not already mandatory.
By EG_CA_KO
September 23, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
I don’t get special breaks to smoke, why should anyone get special breaks to pray? I worked for a Islamic, if someone wanted time for Ramadan they had to take vacation time. His business was an LLC so he paid himself, but religious time he would not take pay. One of my co-works was jewish and he took vacation time for his religious time. I am tired of working other peoples duties because they have personal issues. But, than on the other hand lets be like say Isreal or the Islamic states and work two days and rest 5 days. I think France does something like that to, that way every one will be employed and rested.
By MBN
November 18, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
In regards to Mike D’s statement: “What a lucky gold mine that Greely, CO got this bunch of ungraitful dumb shyts.”
You are incredibly ignorant. You can’t spell and you spout a lot of foolish crap. You should shut your mouth and go buy a dictionary.
By MBN
November 18, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
To ha ha ha: Your comments might mean a little more if you used some punctuation! Contractions such as don’t, wasn’t, can’t… see, they all have punctuation. I guess you were asleep during grammar lessons.
Actually, I’m rather shocked at all the poor writing skills on display as well as the ignorant, bigoted and hateful comments about people different from us. If the Muslims weren’t the subject of hatred and misunderstanding, it would be the Jews. If not the Jews, then Gay folks. Really, you bigots need to look in the mirror and see yourselves as you really are: Scared and foolish.