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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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

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

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

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 15/03/2025 13:45

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

biscuitsandbooks · 15/03/2025 13:46

Religion is a protected characteristic.

Just send someone else with her.

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).

Lentilweaver · 15/03/2025 13:47

Go to HR.

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

outerspacepotato · 15/03/2025 13:48

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

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.

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 13:49

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

sometimesmovingforwards · 15/03/2025 13:50

Could be a tricky subject.
But it’s unnecessary shit I’d not need in the workplace.
So I’d just ensure she didn’t pass probation and get her out, the quicker the better is easier.
Then I can get someone suitable rather than someone I have to pander to.
And learn from it for the future…

Ablondiebutagoody · 15/03/2025 13:50

She's taking the piss. Get rid sooner rather than later

mudandgrass · 15/03/2025 13:51

I have quite strong views on this. She is employed to do a job. If her beliefs prevent her from doing this job then the onus is on her to make the sacrifice for her religion by not taking a job that conflicts with her beliefs.

I am a vegetarian but I would never take a job in a restaurant then refuse to serve people meat. I make the sacrifices for my beliefs.

Having said that, you would need to speak to an employment lawyer for the legal position on this. Because that is really what is relevant here

biscuitsandbooks · 15/03/2025 13:51

Jimisnotmyname · 15/03/2025 13:50

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

Cheaper than sacking her and being confronted with a lawsuit for wrongful discrimination...

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/03/2025 13:51

If she can’t do her job in its entirety, she’s not suitable for the role.

pistaacioaquestion · 15/03/2025 13:51

@OldCottageGreenhouseI get your point but the analogy doesn’t quite work. A devout Christian would have no reason to not attend a meeting with someone gay/trans. They may possibly object to attending a wedding of a gay or trans couple due to their religion, but there’s nothing to say they can’t attend a business meeting with anyone gay/trans. And I say this as a devout Catholic. Anyone using Christianity as an excuse for not doing a business meeting for this reason would be missing the message of “judge not lest you yourself be judged”. Sorry went off on a tangent there, but I do appreciate you acknowledging how Christian employees are often not given the same acceptance as employees of other faiths.

biscuitsandbooks · 15/03/2025 13:52

Ablondiebutagoody · 15/03/2025 13:50

She's taking the piss. Get rid sooner rather than later

Sure, if OP wants to be sued.

Hoppinggreen · 15/03/2025 13:52

Ablondiebutagoody · 15/03/2025 13:50

She's taking the piss. Get rid sooner rather than later

Oh look, an employment lawyer has arrived!

Bailamosse · 15/03/2025 13:52

Speak to HR and find out how to get rid of her as she can’t do her job.

saraclara · 15/03/2025 13:52

pistaacioaquestion · 15/03/2025 13:44

This is such a good point

Because it's Saturday, and OP only hear from the employee this morning?

Why not ask here while waiting to speak to HR on Monday?