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?

Would it be legal or feasible to offer Sarah a minimum hours contract and to schedule her shift pattern on a weekly basis once you know where the other staff are working, only offering her shifts where no men ate working?

I'm sorry but what a load of misconceived, poor is me, fuckwittery.

As least acknowledge your own prejudices and be honest about your religious bigotry.

Why doesn't sarah think 'I will recognise the legal working practices of the country I am in'?

Sorry for bad writing...What I meant to say---when my working colleague was fasting during Ramadan we HAD to work out our hours around her..

I have to work like stink around christmas and easter and often just can't take time off. Nature of the job/employer. C'est la vie. I knew when I took on the job and that's that.

Racism as well, excellent. Shall we see if we can get all possible modes of discrimination on one thread ?

ItIsAnIdeasGame----I am trying to point that....

Why the baiting of Grennie? She's perfectly correct.

That's what I am saying nicename and I am fine with that.What Iam not fine that different religions have more understanding...

It's been explained to you umpteen times blistory.

Name calling isn't endearing your slightly skewed point of view to the board.

All of the major religions are sexist - Christianity, Islam, Judaism. But our legal system allows religious belief to trump other issues such as sexism. They don't do that to be awkward. The reality is that the Christian church has a lot of power on our institutions and legal system. So for example the recent law about gay marriage says that the Church of England is legally banned from conducting any gay marriages.

Why the baiting of Grennie? She's perfectly correct.

These are her words.

Grow up!!

Quick pressing of the button...EVERYONE SHOULD respect the same law...simple.
Exceptions are ok on discretion of the employer as long as they don't harm other workers and they are REASONABLE .

This thread is not about gay marriages Grennie.Don't go there.Every religion has it's own blessed side and the one unspoken sometimes..

nicename - If you tell them you want xmas day off for religious reasons, your employers have to consider it. My guess is that you would have a number of Christians working there, who would also do the same if you did that, and thus it wouldn't be possible to give you the day off.

And it might carry more weight if it is because you want to go to church, rather than spending the day with your family. So requesting 2 or 3 hours off to attend church on Xmas morning, would carry a lot more weight.

JMFAO it looks like some people don't understand certain opinions which are very much valid ...

What if I said that I couldn't work with women Grennie?

Actually gay marriages are relevant, the Church of England is legally treated differently to other religions.

And religions get exemption all the time from other equality legislation. No other body is allowed to say certain jobs can only be done by men. Everyone else has to appoint the best person for the job - woman or man.

Personally I would ban all religious institutions from having the legal right to conduct wedding ceremonies until they were prepared to treat all people equally and therefore conduct gay marriages. If they are not willing yo do this I would confine them to conducting blessings only and the the legal part had to be carried out by the state. But that's a different thread!

caruthers - If your religion said that, I would legally have to see if I could accomodate that. If I can't, I would have to decline your request.

Gay marriages are relevant but not to this thread...
Shall we talk about Islam law and what is happening at the moment in UK? No..It's not relevant to this thread

caruthers - If your religion said that, I would legally have to see if I could accomodate that. If I can't, I would have to decline your request.

that's a fair answer.

My post is directed to Grennie

Louise - I would support that.