Muslims continue to confront discrimination at work. It’s not just blue collar workers, but those in professional positions. Here’s a sampling of some of the ways Americans are discriminating and the problems Muslims face.
Healthcare Workers
In a recent study published by Taylor & Francis, 24 percent of Muslim clinicians identified that they had experienced religious discrimination at work. When you consider that five percent of America’s physicians are practicing Muslims, it’s fairly significant that those who are providing care are feeling this. Another study, published in 2002, found that healthcare workers spent less time with racial minorities. Sometimes, providers aren’t even aware of this disparity.
Wisconsin Plant Changing Policy
Ariens Manufacturing, located just 25 miles south of Green Bay, Wisconsin, has recently changed their policy allowing their Muslim employees to take breaks off the production to pray. Previously, employees had been permitted to leave their station at the appropriate time to pray. Now, the company is requesting that employees use their break time to pray, which may or may not coincide with the time to pray. The company states that there has been a loss of productivity on the line, which prompted the change in policy. This policy affects about 53 employees, 20 percent of whom are saying that they will stay with the company.
The EEOC requires reasonable accommodations for employees, which are often subjective. Somali Muslims sued JBS, a meat packing plant in Nebraska, and lost their lawsuit. In the case, the company was accused of restricting the employees’ prayer time. The company claimed “undue hardship” because of a loss in productivity, and they won.
Cargill Beef Update
Just a few weeks ago, we reported about the Cargill Beef Company and their prayer policy when it came to Muslims. Cargill has since updated its rehiring policy, but continues to stand strong in their religious accommodation policy. Anyone who was fired during the walkout can now reapply after 30 days, instead waiting 180 days. There was a misunderstanding with the prayer policy that caused employees to not show up for work in protest, which resulted in their termination. Cargill did not change the accommodations, and they will continue to allow breaks for prayer per their agreement with the union and based on daily production line staffing.
The Brits Are Demonstrating How It’s Done
Every year, British students take exams to move forward in their education. This year, the Joint Council for Qualifications are working around Ramadan to schedule exams to accommodate students. During Ramadan, many Muslims fast and pray all day, not even drinking water. During this time of religious sanctity, the JCQ is working hard to plan the major exams earlier within the Ramadan month.
Will This Be a Trend?
It should be against the law for employers to discriminate against their employees because of religion. However, employees need to consider that the employers are only in business to make money to support their family and the community. When production decreases, it directly relates to profitability. There has to be a balance between the rights of the employees and the needs of the company. Reasonable accommodations and undue hardship are different for every business.
Critics are worried this may be a trend of the Islamophobia that is sweeping the nation. It does seem odd that Ariens Manufacturing changed their policy so abruptly, but then none of us were present during any discussions the board, directors, and supervisors had concerning the policy. It also makes one wonder what a Muslim surgeon does when prayer time coincides with a time they are with a patient. This is something to watch over the next few months to ensure that Muslims aren’t singled out.