Royal Mail staff in Ramadan holiday row

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 6529734.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal workers who were refused time off to celebrate a religious holiday are considering legal action against Royal Mail.
Muslim staff at the regional distribution centre in Stourton, Leeds, say they are usually allowed to take the day off to mark Eid-ul-Fitr – the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

But around 50 workers who wanted leave to mark the festival last Friday were told they could not have the day off this year "for operational reasons".

Many, however, refused to turn up and are now facing disciplinary hearings over "unauthorised absences".

One staff member told the YEP: "In previous years shifts have been organised so there was cover for those who wanted to celebrate Eid. For some reason this year the management either forgot to do this or deliberately did not do it.

"It is the most important time of the year for many of us and it is very important we are with our families. I was not prepared to work."

Union bosses are now holding talks with senior managers to secure agreements that, in future, cover will be provided for Muslims who want time off to mark religious holidays.

And they have warned they are prepared to take the company to an employment tribunal, alleging discrimination.

Andy Lee, secretary of the Communications Workers Union Leeds No1 Amalgamated branch, said: "We know they cannot always release everybody, but they have always tried to release as many as possible. This year they simply said 'unfortunately, we can't do it' and so they cancelled leave for all.

"They knew it was coming as it does every year and they should have planned for it.

"Our members are very upset - my phone did not stop ringing. Many members decided they would not go in to work and as a result they are facing hearings over unauthorised absences. We're already fighting those.

"We're actively pursuing this. There is another Eid coming up at the end of November and we want to avoid a similar confrontation.

"If we have to then we are prepared to take it to a tribunal because we believe it is a clear case of discrimination."

Eid comes at the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan and is one of the most significant religious holidays for Muslims, as important as Christmas is to Christians.

Most Muslims will not work, instead attending several sets of prayers and then, usually, hosting a large celebration for their families.

Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals, though employers are encouraged to be "sensitive" to requests.

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said: "We always seek to treat every request for leave sensitively and on a case by case basis."

[Steviea34]

blah blah blah

[dvbuk55]

The easy answer is to give us all the day off, that way there's no discrimination, I mean does anyone not a christian work christmas day?

[al64]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

[Steviea34]

The easy answer is to give us all the day off, that way there's no discrimination, I mean does anyone not a christian work christmas day?

[beinspired]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

I'm sure to a Muslim, Eid is very important - as important as 'Christmas is to christians'. Royal Mail should respect the rights of all religious groups and try to accomodate their needs.

[Pat Ostman]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

I'm sure to a Muslim, Eid is very important - as important as 'Christmas is to christians'. Royal Mail should respect the rights of all religious groups and try to accomodate their needs.

But if there is 50 workers wanting the same day off? If we allow other religions their own day off, are the others coming in on the 25th? Are other religions getting Eid off?

Sorry but you cannot accommodate everyone and everybody's belief!

[baldrick]

The easy answer is to give us all the day off, that way there's no discrimination, I mean does anyone not a christian work christmas day?

They used to in my MC, but now there are only a few taken on as a 'holding force' for security.

[Pat Ostman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tools/calendar/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Sort that one out

Khordad Sal (Shenshai)
The birthday of Zoroaster, celebrated on this date in the Shenshai calendar.

This is for a week on Thursday

[beinspired]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

I'm sure to a Muslim, Eid is very important - as important as 'Christmas is to christians'. Royal Mail should respect the rights of all religious groups and try to accomodate their needs.

But if there is 50 workers wanting the same day off?

And Christmas is an official bank holiday, and if we allow other religions their own day off, are the others coming in on the 25th? Are other religions getting Eid off?

according to the article, RM have never had a problem with giving them time off before, and if there are 50 Muslims working there, it must be a very large office. The Union are correct in pursuing this, it seems RM are determined to save money everywhere.

[POSTMAN]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tools/calendar/

Sort that one out

Khordad Sal (Shenshai)
The birthday of Zoroaster, celebrated on this date in the Shenshai calendar.

[beinspired]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tools/calendar/



Sort that one out

Khordad Sal (Shenshai)
The birthday of Zoroaster, celebrated on this date in the Shenshai calendar.

This is for this Friday

I think apart from Christianity, Islam and maybe Sikhism, there are a lot fewer adherents of the other religions working for RM, either way RM should be sensitive to all.

[Pat Ostman]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

I'm sure to a Muslim, Eid is very important - as important as 'Christmas is to christians'. Royal Mail should respect the rights of all religious groups and try to accomodate their needs.

But if there is 50 workers wanting the same day off?

And Christmas is an official bank holiday, and if we allow other religions their own day off, are the others coming in on the 25th? Are other religions getting Eid off?

according to the article, RM have never had a problem with giving them time off before, and if there are 50 Muslims working there, it must be a very large office. The Union are correct in pursuing this, it seems RM are determined to save money everywhere.

That may be the case but as I said before you accommodate one group, you have to accommodate them all - size of group should be unimportant as long as its recognised. Check out the religious diary, its a logistic nightmare.

[baldrick]

There was a folder put out for those who wanted to take a day's AL on Eid at my MC.
50 people were allowed to take the day off as AL.
There was a ballot to pick who got the day's AL. Not a logistic nightmare. Quite simple.

[beinspired]

"Under British employment law there is no specific rule which states that a worker must be given time off for religious holidays or festivals"

So why do we have to bend over backwards to accomodate them, I know of someone that was refused a day off for his nieces wedding which i think is damm more important than a muslim festival

I'm sure to a Muslim, Eid is very important - as important as 'Christmas is to christians'. Royal Mail should respect the rights of all religious groups and try to accomodate their needs.

But if there is 50 workers wanting the same day off?

And Christmas is an official bank holiday, and if we allow other religions their own day off, are the others coming in on the 25th? Are other religions getting Eid off?

according to the article, RM have never had a problem with giving them time off before, and if there are 50 Muslims working there, it must be a very large office. The Union are correct in pursuing this, it seems RM are determined to save money everywhere.

That may be the case but as I said before you accommodate one group, you have to accommodate them all - size of group should be unimportant as long as its recognised. Check out the religious diary, its a logistic nightmare.

Of course you have to accomodate them all, but as I said the point is RM have only this year refused them leave, which, from a Muslims perspective, seems like discrimination.