Staff Pray A Few Times A Day

[newbie99]

I am currently manages a few staff and there is a staff that prays multiple times a day. Each day this individual uses at least over 60 min in total.

Other staff had complaint and I am not sure how to deal with it. We are a very busy team and works 37 hours a week. But if each day 1 hour is lost then it is significant over time.

Anyone experience this type of issue. I think it is very similar issue to smokers vs non-smokers situation.

[newbie99]

I don't have any issue with him. It is his colleagues that made a complaint to me and I just need to work out how to resolve it.

Maybe I should ask HR to resolve as they are all good worker and I don't want to have any conflict with them.

[Mamyalynne]

Newbie if you as the manager don't feel able to approach this worker in the way hc has outlined then maybe pass it on to HR - but it shouldn't be problematic is you keep calm and polite.

[newbie99]

Joshmo, that is a good idea. I will discuss that with HR and let them put up the notice.

You think getting on with actual job is difficult, resolving these sensitive subject is even more difficult. Thanks for everyone's replies.

[bednobs]

if you can't handle this very basic employment problem, i wonder if you ought to be a manager. No-one is psychic, just talk to them! All the time you are letting it happen, they (not unexpectedly) think you condone it and will carry on

[BlackadderV]

I think it's a very bad idea and one open to ridicule.

Devout Jews will not work at all on the Sabbath.

If you were to designate a room as a church on Sundays you would need to differentiate between C of E, RC, various free churches, not to mention the JWs. Church services, with the exception of the Quakers, are also led by a priest/minister.

[237SJ]

Info 'Some Frequently Asked Questions' re rest breaks page 31 http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/f/l/religion_1.pdf

[EcclesCake]

Blackadder It is not unusual for large employers to designate a multi-faith room for prayer and contemplation.

[woofgang]

Blackadder. Its not uncommon for hospitals to have a multifaith room which is used for services and offices by all religions. Its just a matter of agreeing the timetable. It may not be an appropriate solution for a place of work but it does happen and does not give rise to ridicule.

[Answerprancer]

Blackadder. Its not uncommon for airport departure lounges to.......

[Svejk]

woofgang /// oh NJ, give it a rest, its an easy problem to deal with without burbling on about alien cultures. ///

Burbling on? He's stating his opinion that everyone I know agrees with. You need to get off your high horse and stop being so damned rude,,,,imo.
We live in a country where Catholic nurses are forced to assist in abortions. And if, big if, a Christian was allowed to refuse Sunday work, you can bet your bottom dollar they wouldn't get paid for it.
So while the people of the indigenous religion just have to 'suck it up' we're expected to bend over backwards to accommodate adherents of this disgusting, so called religion.

[Mamyalynne]

'Sucking it up' would be if most had said to allow this worker to carry on as they are - not what most are saying.


Come to an arrangement whereby they pray during breaks and fulfil the hours of their contract.

[BlackadderV]

I would not have put it quite as strongly as that, Svejk, but I see where you're coming from.

[EcclesCake]

Svejk, what is the indigenous religion of the Uk?

[woofgang]

Catholic nurses are not required to assist with abortions or indeed contraception. They simply choose jobs where such tasks are not a part of the job description. No one is saying that the individual in the OP's question should be paid to pray. The point has been made very clearly that the person should either use their break time for prayers or work extra hours to cover.
...and just because "everyone you know" agrees with NJ neither makes the opinion right or in the majority.

[Svejk]

Whether you like it or not, eccles, this is still a Christian country. But then you know that, don't you?

[Svejk]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-30514054

[Svejk]

///...and just because "everyone you know" agrees with NJ neither makes the opinion right or in the majority///

And doesn't give you the right to be so rude either.