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AIBU?

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Original poster

To send an employee to a client even though she refuses because of her religion?

640 replies

GelatinousDynamo · 15/03/2025 13:30

I have a new employee in my team, she is a devout Muslim. She's been with us since January and there were no issues so far, she's getting along well with everyone and her performance was fine. I sent her an email on Friday afternoon to say that our client has now (finally) prepared all necessary documents and that she should go there and go over everything with them one day next week. She wrote me back today that she can't do that because only men work in the department and she can't spend the day alone with strange men (because of her religion).

AIBU to insist that she does her job and goes there or would that be religious discrimination? She shares an office with a male colleague and has never complained about it. She's the first devout Muslim I've ever had on my team and I honestly have no experience at all with such issues. She's the only one who has the necessary experience and isn't already scheduled elsewhere.

OP posts:
Jimisnotmyname · 15/03/2025 13:50

biscuitsandbooks · 15/03/2025 13:46

Religion is a protected characteristic.

Just send someone else with her.

I guess this will cost the business a lot of money esp if it's a repeat issue going forward? The is cost involved

phoenixrosehere · 15/03/2025 13:49

I’m confused.

She’s a person on your team and shares an office with a male colleague. Is she the only female in the office and on the team?

Not sure why you’re asking here as others have said, HR would know obviously.

RedHelenB · 15/03/2025 13:49

Hoppinggreen · 15/03/2025 13:43

I wonder what devout Muslim women doctors do? Presumably they can't refuse to see male patients?

Of course they can

They can refuse to see half of the clients? Surely not?

OneQuirkyPanda · 15/03/2025 13:49

I work in the NHS, as far as I know HCPs cannot refuse to treat groups of patients because that is discrimination, regardless of whether it’s for religious reasons or not. They can refuse to perform certain procedures such as abortions, as long as there is another HCP available to do it, but I have never heard of a Muslim HCP refusing to treat/examine male or female patients.

SherlockHomies · 15/03/2025 13:49

OldCottageGreenhouse · 15/03/2025 13:47

OP there’s a barrister who does a show on LBC every Saturday at 9pm offering free legal advice if you call in. He is actually an employment law barrister I think but you can call about anything legal. He’s your best bet

The HR department or the OP's own manager is actually the best bet.

CandidHedgehog · 15/03/2025 13:48

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 15/03/2025 13:45

Surely you won't act on legal advice taken from randoms on Mumsnet?

So much this. I’d be astounded if anyone replying was an employment lawyer (I’m certainly not). This is the sort of situation that needs proper legal advice.

SherlockHomies · 15/03/2025 13:48

It's actually getting embarrassing the amount of managers who come here looking for the answers to things their own line manager, or HR department could tell them.

I've yet to see this sort of unprofessionalism on male dominated websites.

outerspacepotato · 15/03/2025 13:48

I would send another coworker and respect her religious guidelines as a Muslim woman and accommodate them.

OldCottageGreenhouse · 15/03/2025 13:47

OP there’s a barrister who does a show on LBC every Saturday at 9pm offering free legal advice if you call in. He is actually an employment law barrister I think but you can call about anything legal. He’s your best bet

Lentilweaver · 15/03/2025 13:47

Go to HR.

CandidHedgehog · 15/03/2025 13:46

Balloonhearts · 15/03/2025 13:35

If she's only been there a few months then I would just fail her probation. You don't have to give a reason for letting her go as she hasn't been there 2 years.

No, but if she is let go because of her religion it can still be wrongful dismissal unless it is carefully documented that no accommodations can allow her to do the job within the requirements of her religion (if that is the case - if it could be done but it’s a bit inconvenient, the OP may need to make the accommodations requested).

Sacking her for ‘failing probation’ with no previous record of performance issues and right after she has asked for a religious accommodation would make for a really easy tribunal case (and on my view would be wrong but the OP seems to be asking about the legal position).

biscuitsandbooks · 15/03/2025 13:46

Religion is a protected characteristic.

Just send someone else with her.

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 15/03/2025 13:45

Surely you won't act on legal advice taken from randoms on Mumsnet?

Hoppinggreen · 15/03/2025 13:44

OldCottageGreenhouse · 15/03/2025 13:43

Imagine if it was a devout Christian employee saying they can’t attend a meeting with a gay/trans client, because of their religion. Would you be saying the same? In that case both side would have a protected characteristic. Employee citing religious reasons and a client who’s a protected characteristic

Show quote history

I actually would
Its not about agreeing with or not agreeing with anyone, its about doing what is leegally correct in the Workplace.

pistaacioaquestion · 15/03/2025 13:44

SherlockHomies · 15/03/2025 13:41

But also, why do so many managers turn to Mumsnet instead of their own managers/HR departments?

You know that's what you need to do here, surely?

Unless you're into controversial threads?

This is such a good point

thebear1 · 15/03/2025 13:44

Religious belief is a protected characteristic under the equality act so you need to take advice to ensure you don't end up at an employment tribunal.

Laralou999 · 15/03/2025 13:43

Can another woman go with her?

lunar1 · 15/03/2025 13:43

If she didn’t make you aware of this at interview I’d find a way for her to not work for you anymore. She can’t apply for a job she can’t meet the needs of.

OldCottageGreenhouse · 15/03/2025 13:43

Meem321 · 15/03/2025 13:39

Religion is a protected characteristic so I'd be very wary of the advice above saying get rid ...
Surely you could switch some staff around so she can do her job alongside her religious beliefs

Imagine if it was a devout Christian employee saying they can’t attend a meeting with a gay/trans client, because of their religion. Would you be saying the same? In that case both side would have a protected characteristic. Employee citing religious reasons and a client who’s a protected characteristic

Hoppinggreen · 15/03/2025 13:43

I wonder what devout Muslim women doctors do? Presumably they can't refuse to see male patients?

Of course they can

Runningoutofthyme · 15/03/2025 13:42

SherlockHomies · 15/03/2025 13:41

But also, why do so many managers turn to Mumsnet instead of their own managers/HR departments?

You know that's what you need to do here, surely?

Unless you're into controversial threads?

I always think the same 😂

can’t stand up in an employment tribunal and say ‘cause mumsnet told me’

RosesAndHellebores · 15/03/2025 13:42

Can a reasonable accommodation be made? Could the meeting take place somewhere neutral like a cafe? Could the chap come to your office on this occasion? Are the rules tighter because it's Ramadan?

I wonder what devout Muslim women doctors do? Presumably they can't refuse to see male patients?

You can't just sack her without working through reasonable alternatives and proving they are not operationally possible.

SherlockHomies · 15/03/2025 13:41

But also, why do so many managers turn to Mumsnet instead of their own managers/HR departments?

You know that's what you need to do here, surely?

Unless you're into controversial threads?

Runningoutofthyme · 15/03/2025 13:41

I would discuss this with your hr. Let them make any decisions

They will likely ask what adjustments could be made ie can someone else do this work? Or can someone go with her?
so consider that before approaching them

people are nuts on here, just because you don’t agree or believe in someone’s religion doesn’t mean you can sack someone 🙄

DonningMyHardHat · 15/03/2025 13:41

Do you have a female member of junior staff who could accompany her and get some experience? Seems the easiest way out of this without being in a tricky situation re: discrimination.

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