Who Thinks This Couple Were Discriminated Against Or Is This Just Another Deal Of The Discrimination And Race Card?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2595159/Muslim-couple-claim-victimised-Morrisons-refused-holiday-Ramadan.html

/// A tribunal held at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard evidence from Mrs Tunkara, who says her holiday request for the last 10 days of fasting during Ramadan was turned down unfairly. ///

She said that she and her husband had enjoyed their job at the Stockton base, and yet,

/// She added that the stress of working night shifts caused her to suffer a breakdown and be admitted to hospital. ///

[ummmm]

I only have sympathy for them working nights and how that can mess with your body clock....

I have no sympathy for them being refused time off and I don't believe they were discriminated against, as I said in my first answer.

[DTCwordfan]

Muslims often gain weight during Ramadan - because they get to the evening breakfast and stuff themselves all night like the way French stuff their geese, instead of breaking fast and going to bed.

I've been in Riyadh and Jeddah for Ramadan - bring on the partying....

[EcclesCake]

I thought the dates for Ramadan were quite clear but the specific time it begins is the variable, a few minutes here or there isn't going to mess up your AL plans.

Being able to sleep during the day rather than working would be a bonus I would have thought, hottest time of the day, physical exertion but no energy intake, etc.

Depending on when their shift started they may not have been able to eat before but they would have had a break to eat something and could quite probably have made it home in time to get a decent feed before sunrise.

[New Judge]

If people want to adhere to odd (and quite possibly dangerous) practices in the name of their religion that is entirely their affair. However, they should not expect businesses to make special arrangements to accommodate their foibles.

A lot of what Mrs Tunkara does not seem to hang together. She had no need to wait for notification from the Mosque to learn the dates of Ramadan. The dates are pre-ordained (in much the same way as Easter is) and are available well in advance. The only problem is that the date may vary by one day depending where in the world you are (because strict Muslims observe it from the sighting of the moon). However, the readily available estimate should have sufficed for her to book her holidays.

However, no doubt the couple will succeed in their action. The fact that (from what we have been told at least) they do not seem to have suffered any discrimination will probably cut no ice. It seems clear that anybody of any religion will probably have been refused their chosen holidays in the same way. But I doubt that will be sufficient to deny that something has occurred which will fall into the ridiculous interpretation of discrimination that exists in the UK today.

[dunnitall]

Well said NJ. AFAIC it seems here in the UK we lean towards (officially) appeasing the minority religionists for fear of upsetting certain groups. My opinion is, live Ina country, abide by their rules, if you don't like it, go away, it really is that simple. Race card rules IMO but only here in soft UK.

[Svejk]

it raises an interesting question about manual work and fasting. there was a muslim policeman on the tv who couldnt chase a 'joyrider' on foot because he felt weak and sick as a result of ramadan fasting. should they have their pay reduced/stopped. or their hours shortened. should employers be informed about fasting in the same way they would about, say, an illness.
i was interrupted while typing this so apologies if the thread has moved on.

[pixie373]

Yes, you have to be competent to do your job and these are deliberate actions taken, which is unfair and irresponsible. We had many people taking eidh off work (care home), although, only if they had AL and had booked in time. Nobody was allowed to book Christmas off.

[naomi24]

If the job doesn't suit them they should work elsewhere.

[emmie]

just as anyone should be advised, note that taking children out of school times often come with a fine, and that many company employees have to stagger their holidays, or sometimes as they used to do, close the factory for two weeks, so you all had to take that time or nothing. One of my friends gets so much leave, but he is limited as to when it can be taken
i think they are pulling a fast one. x

[Orderlimit]

Solicitor during cross examination -

"He said: 'You have not got exactly what you wanted and acted like a spoiled brat, and you have taken the easy way out to play the discrimination and race card, haven’t you? It is unfair."

Seems a fair assessment, but blimey, the old race card and islamophobia chucked in together.

[emmie]

night shift can upset your body clock, however not sure that is enough to give you a breakdown, and isn't there a choice in this, does she have to do it.

[naomi24]

//the old race card and islamophobia chucked in together. //

Nothing new there!

[joggerjayne]

If your religion dictates that you must live a particular lifestyle, your religion is really saying that there are some jobs you should not do.

[emmie]

how does it work if they are on nightshifts in hospitals.

[naomi24]

Perhaps some people feel religion takes precedence when it suits them.

[pixie373]

Hospitals and care homes are quite flexible about when you eat (no managers around, usually, either), so many people eat through the night. I'm not sure about supermarket shifts.

[joggerjayne]

If you have a religion that requires you to be at home after sunset, and you apply for a job that might involve night shifts, aren't you insulting your own religion?

[pixie373]

No jj. You just believe the parts you want to ;-)

[joggerjayne]

Aah. Pick 'n' Mix religions.

[pixie373]

Aren't they all!