To not accommodate a request by a female Muslim never to be in work "alone" with any male colleague?

[LibertyPrints]

"Sarah" has worked with our company since December. We have 12 staff (some of whom are part time) across 2 sites. All staff work between the 2 sites. They are retail outlets.

Sarah is Muslim and has recently contacted me to ask if I can ensure she is not ever scheduled to be alone with any male colleague at either site stating this is to do with her religious beliefs.

The manager is male and 3 staff are male. Different staff have different skill levels and they are scheduled where they are best utilised on any given day/week and so that all shifts are pretty equally shared out. It is not practical to agree to this.

For clarity I have no issue with making adjustments for her where I can. For example she asked at interview if she could reduce her lunch hour by varying amounts and then take that extra time out when she wanted to pray at varying times of the day. Even though we don't normally allow breaks to be taken in this way I agreed willingly.

I feel really awkward saying no but it's really far from ideal. AIBU to think if she can't expect this from us?

No obviously not from the request, but if she got what she wanted, what they would have to suffer is excessive limits on the shifts and venues they can work, which she and other women would not have to suffer.

I also think there is an issue of offensiveness. It would be considered offensive if a man stated he couldn't work with a woman, and should be the other way around.

I can't see how this is workable. It will probably cause difficulty for others having time off and this will obviously cause resentment.

The men are not being discriminated against. They are suffering no material harm from her request.

Of course they are.

She's specifying she can't work with a male alone.

What if her request impacts a job held by a male?

Religion=choice.
You can ask for extra help from your employer but it's on discretion of your employer if they think is reasonable request...
Sarah is wrong for not letting OP before accepting the job her stands not once she is employed...As usual from CERTAIN RELIGIONS they feel they have to be accommodated because of their believes...

Why would this impact on a man? Of course the men can't get given worse shifts to accomodate her request. But if it is a case of putting 2 women together in one of the shops, and a man and woman together in the other one, nobody suffers.

And I have no time for the hurt feelings argument. If you are so sensitive as to have hurt feelings over this, you need to grow up.

UK and British people are one of the most understanding and accepting people in the world and OTHER people with their religion are using that and abusing...

Grennie are you religious?

Are you sure that something has not happened and this is her subtle way of getting you to enquire further exactly why she doesn't want to be alone with a 'man?'

You are wrong Grennie......

Discrimination is discrimination and that applies to everyone.

I'll counter your grow up with a big fat first

Wow so certain women can't be working along the men?This was UK last time I checked.Sorry ,same law for everyone...

Even if it could be accommodated at this moment of time with a whole heap of jiggery pokery, but surely it would impact on the ability to hire male members of the staff in the future?

Imagine two female employee leave. The best candidates for their jobs are male. But to employ them makes it impossible to accommodate the worker's demand. Surely the seriously affects the business if the gender ratios have to remain exactly as they are now.

Grennie where are you???

JMFAO she is busy eating....

JMFAO she is busy eating....

I am an aethist, and I manage staff and have done so for many years.

You employ the best candidate. If later there are more men and you can't accomodate her request, then you tell her that.

If employer is going to go around and try to accommodate everyone based on believes,religion...etc where that business will end up.Already Sarah job was adjusted and she is pushing it.This is west,we are all equal and somewhere has to stop her wishlist

Imagine two female employee leave. The best candidates for their jobs are male. But to employ them makes it impossible to accommodate the worker's demand. Surely the seriously affects the business if the gender ratios have to remain exactly as they are now.
This is why I said previously that it would be inadvisable to offer to make 'best efforts' to accommodate the requirement. It could come back to bite the OP in the future.

katmat - Businesses have no choice. Legally they have to do that.

Sallyingforth - No it wont. You employ the men and tell her you can no longer accomodate her request. Circumstances change. And you must employ the best person for the job.

There is absolutely no need to change the male workers shift patterns therefore they are not discriminated against.

And why would these men not simply think, ok, Sarah's religion requires x, it doesn't cause me any harm or discrimination so I'll just respect x. ?

I wonder where she is from? It's cultural, not religious (although entwined). My muslim relatives (and a fair chunk live in a theoracy) roll their eyes and sigh loudly at things like this, as would I if a fundamental christian started banging on about dinosaur bones being 'planted by the devil'.

She's a minority within a minority. A minority who is already viewed with suspicion as it is. If we all banged on about our 'responsibilities' rather than our 'rights' society would be a hell of a better place.

To a certain extend and by law OP can not only accommodate one person .Unfortunately I know from my own working place..It's unfair,bring conflict and uneasiness ...
I am in UK 16yrs and I have to say I have high regards for British people.I always say that..I am catholic but I had to work Christmas day..Did I get it as a free day?No.But when my working colleague fasting during Ramadan we HAVE to work out our hours around her so she can be afternoons free. Is that fair ? NO