Hertz being terrorized by Muslim drivers

[tvarad]

Apparently they were given breaks as per their labor contract but some of them wouldn't clock-out and clock-in to ensure that they didn't take time beyond the 10 minutes. This type of Muslim intransigence is cropping up more and more in the labor arena (A&F, a clothing company built on a particular look being sued by an employee who wants to wear a headscarf, Minnesota airport employees refusing rides to women and people carrying alcohol etc.). It is high-time that labor-laws were re-written to stop companies from being forced to walk on egg-shells when it has to deal with unreasonable requests or even with situations when they are forced to compromise their business practices.

http://news.yahoo.com/hertz-suspends-34-muslim-drivers-prayer-dispute-203810994.html

......
Thirty-four Muslim drivers for Hertz claimed they were suspended for praying during work hours, but the company contended they were reprimanded for abusing break times.
.....
Hertz said the workers suspended last week were violating provisions of a collective bargaining agreement and a settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reached two years ago.
"The breaks were getting extended way beyond prayer time," said Rich Broome, a spokesman for Hertz Global Holdings Inc. "It's important to understand that several Muslim employees who are complying were not suspended. It's not about prayer, it's not about religion; it's about reasonable requirements."
Broome said employees are required to clock out to keep breaks within the 10-minute limit. Those who were suspended had not been doing so, he added.
He said managers spoke with each of the workers and posted the rule before the suspensions took place.
The union, though, said the clock-out rule was implemented without warning, adding that Hertz agreed in bargaining last year that its employees would not be required to clock out when they pray.

 

[Aikouka]

"Interesting" choice of words for the thread's topic.

Refusing to drive people because they don't match your religion's ideals is not right as long as they don't break any company policies (which the people aren't). If the headscarf is against the dress code that the guy agreed to when taking the job, then he cannot wear it. If it isn't, then he should be able to wear it.

 

[tvarad]

"Interesting" choice of words for the thread's topic.

Refusing to drive people because they don't match your religion's ideals is not right as long as they don't break any company policies (which the people aren't). If the headscarf is against the dress code that the guy agreed to when taking the job, then he cannot wear it. If it isn't, then he should be able to wear it.

I think the A&F headscarf lawsuit is the more egregious in terms of intimidating companies into taking decisions inimical to their business interests. Like I said, A&F sells it's brand on a particular kind of look, even their stores are designed with a particular look that attracts a particular sub-set of customers (me not included; I don't even like their overpriced clothes). And a religious headscarf does not fit into their clothes design. Hence they should be allowed to let the employee go if she simply didn't work out because of the clash of looks.

 

[drebo]

The whole A&F thing is stupid. That's like a Muslim girl applying to work at Hooters and then suing when she's told she can't wear a burka. You know what you're getting in to when you apply.

The Hertz thing is about employees abusing break times. Period. If they want to pray, fine, but they need to do that on their break times. If it takes the whole 10 minutes, then they need to make the choice: pray or smoke. If you don't have time to do both, that's your own problem and your own choice. Asking Hertz to give you 20 minutes just because you're Muslim is not a reasonable request.

 

[peonyu]

The whole A&F thing is stupid. That's like a Muslim girl applying to work at Hooters and then suing when she's told she can't wear a burka. You know what you're getting in to when you apply.

The Hertz thing is about employees abusing break times. Period. If they want to pray, fine, but they need to do that on their break times. If it takes the whole 10 minutes, then they need to make the choice: pray or smoke. If you don't have time to do both, that's your own problem and your own choice. Asking Hertz to give you 20 minutes just because you're Muslim is not a reasonable request.

Simply put, they feel that they should be payed during "prayer time". And they feel that break time [when they actually do clock out] should be their "break" time to relax and eat some food for 10 minutes. Praying I guess, is something they feel that Hertz owes them paid time for, which is why they dont clock out for it [and in effect are getting paid while praying].

Its BS and I hope the Muslims lose. If your religion demands you pray 5 times a day, or even 100 times a day then fine...But do it on your own time. ie- Non paid break time. The company owes you nothing and your religion has [or should] have no meaning to the company above any other religion.


Also who wants to bet that some of their co-workers turned them in ? I worked in a warehouse when I was 19 for a year or two and break time was something we all looked forward to...I know for a fact that if some muslims were seen praying one at 1pm in the break room for 10 minutes, then at 2pm the same people were clocked out on "break" that something was not right there [ie-not clocking out]. Id turn them in to. Its not fair to the other workers since in effect, they are receiving two times the breaks AND are getting paid for 1 of them.

 

[BoomerD]

This great country was founded on Freedom of Religion. To me, that means they can worship as they please with no government restrictions. However, that does NOT mean their employer has to make special provisions for them, does not have to pay them while they pray, nor allow them to pick & choose customers based on their religious preferences.

If they need to pray multiple times per day, they need to take their breaks at that time...IF the breaks can be taken without affecting their job performance.

If other peoples' jobs are dependent on the work of these people, or if the entire workforce takes their break at a certain time, then no special provision should have to be made just for them.

 

[Aikouka]

I think the A&F headscarf lawsuit is the more egregious in terms of intimidating companies into taking decisions inimical to their business interests. Like I said, A&F sells it's brand on a particular kind of look, even their stores are designed with a particular look that attracts a particular sub-set of customers (me not included; I don't even like their overpriced clothes). And a religious headscarf does not fit into their clothes design. Hence they should be allowed to let the employee go if she simply didn't work out because of the clash of looks.

None of that matters. Unless there is a dress code that is part of their employment or the employee's dress breaks decency laws (i.e. nudity, etc), there's nothing they can do about it*. There are plenty of places that have dress codes for working. Target requires you to wear a red shirt and khaki pants for example. McDonald's even has a dress code!

So, I stand pretty firm on the issue. If the person was violating the dress code established during their hiring, then I agree with the company's stance on taking action against the employee.

EDIT:

*Note: Of course, they could also simply put the person "on watch" and find another reason to reprimand them.

Although, aren't there some states where you don't need to have a reason to fire your employee? I could have sworn I've heard of that before, but maybe I'm mixing things up.

 

[trenchfoot]

Well, I don't see a problem with those wanting to adhere to their religious customs concerning prayer times IF they do it on their own time AND they and the company they work for are willing to have the employees complete their daily shift following their regular work hours. Fair is fair if all agree to a policy that pleases all involved.

This can be agreed upon and instituted as Company Policy with the Union's blessing, without having it negotiated as part of the CBA.

If everyone involved is level headed and practical, solutions can always be found that are fair and legally binding.

 

[Lithium381]

The whole A&F thing is stupid. That's like a Muslim girl applying to work at Hooters and then suing when she's told she can't wear a burka. You know what you're getting in to when you apply.

The Hertz thing is about employees abusing break times. Period. If they want to pray, fine, but they need to do that on their break times. If it takes the whole 10 minutes, then they need to make the choice: pray or smoke. If you don't have time to do both, that's your own problem and your own choice. Asking Hertz to give you 20 minutes just because you're Muslim is not a reasonable request.

also similar to the women who wouldn't take off their masks for their DMV photos..... i actually don't remember what happened to that one

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

"terrorized"...LOL @ troll attempt

 

[Orignal Earl]

American Hindus terrorize BurgerKing

 

[jstern01]

Got to side with the companies on this one. If you did not ask before your were hired, and failed to read the employee handbook, too bad.