Hertz fires 25 Muslim drivers in break dispute

[Jamie B]

http://news.yahoo.com/hertz-fires-25-muslim-drivers-break-dispute-062343039.html

SEATTLE (AP) — Hertz is firing 25 Somali Muslim drivers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport who have refused to agree to clock out for daily breaks during which they normally pray.

You mess with the bull, you get the horns!

[vaskidmark]

They get 5 ten-minute breaks per day?!?  And they didn't want to clock out for them?  That's not just failing to abide by company policy, that's theft/fraud.

I'm pleased to see the comments were all in favor of Hertz upholding their policy.

stay safe.

[mtnbkr]

They get 5 ten-minute breaks per day?!?  And they didn't want to clock out for them?  That's not just failing to abide by company policy, that's theft/fraud.

Maybe, depends on the company and company culture.  When I was in HS and working at Kroger, we got two 15min paid breaks per 8hr shift (and an unpaid 1/2 lunch).  Maybe they view their prayer breaks as an extension of that sort of policy.  Also, do other workers excuse themselves to grab a smoke without clocking out?  That's another precedent that they may feel they have a right to emulate.

I suspect the latter as most smokers don't see any problem with leaving their post for 5min every hour or two to feed their disgusting addiction.

Chris

[K Frame]

"I suspect the latter as most smokers don't see any problem with leaving their post for 5min every hour or two to feed their disgusting addiction."

Stop it. You're making me blush.

[mtnbkr]

Stop it. You're making me blush.

Like shooting fish in a smokey barrel...

Chris

[MechAg94]

I'm surprised they didn't just start deducting 50 minutes per day from their pay. 

[Fitz]

Stand by for the OUTRAGE from people who also probably scream and hollar for christian prayer to not be allowed in the workplace.

[gunsmith]

the double standard for smokers in the workplace almost was enough incentive to start smoking again, I worked at a long term treatment facility & the smokers got tons of more breaks then non smokers.

Perhaps they should have smoked while praying?

[MicroBalrog]

I am reminded - perhaps unfairly - of a tale from my Army days.

During basic training, it was announced that religious individuals - Jewish or Muslim, we had both - would get a break from activities, including morning PT, for the purpose of attending prayer.


As basic training wound on, more and more members of the platoon found religion. I believe as many as 20 men out of a 60-man platoon would be absent from morning PT in the last week.

[wmenorr67]

When in Basic Training it was interesting to see those that went to church services every Sunday that once Basic Training was completed never saw the inside of one again.  At least the ones I continued on training with.

As for me and church I am more of the W&F types.  (Weddings and Funerals)  And if funerals aren't supposed to be Fun why are the first three letters F-U-N?

[birdman]

I work when I smoke.  If I didn't, I would expect to (and record) that time accordingly.

[Hawkmoon]

A previous report/article I saw about the Hertz firings pointed out that Hertz notably did NOT fire any of a bunch of other Muslim workers who, perhaps coincidentally, followed company policy. No matter what your view of anti-discrimination laws, I don't think you can spin "I don't want to follow the rules" into a protected class.

[French G.]

I am reminded - perhaps unfairly - of a tale from my Army days.

During basic training, it was announced that religious individuals - Jewish or Muslim, we had both - would get a break from activities, including morning PT, for the purpose of attending prayer.


As basic training wound on, more and more members of the platoon found religion. I believe as many as 20 men out of a 60-man platoon would be absent from morning PT in the last week.

Heh! In addition to that, the church in basic was the one spot where male and female recruits could mingle with minimal supervison. Religious they were.

[AZRedhawk44]

Heh! In addition to that, the church in basic was the one spot where male and female recruits could mingle with minimal supervison. Religious they were.

Jesus sees you.  And your dirty thoughts.   

[Viking]

Jesus sees you.  And your dirty thoughts.   

Really? I hope he's got plenty of brain bleach then . He'll need it after seeing mine .

[Perd Hapley]

No matter what your view of anti-discrimination laws, I don't think you can spin "I don't want to follow the rules" into a protected class.

Sure you can.
http://www.smallgovtimes.com/2009/10/obama-expands-hate-crimes-to-include-homosexuals/

[Strings]

Ok, HOW does that relate?

[KD5NRH]

Ok, HOW does that relate?

Quickie breaks?

[MicroBalrog]

Ok, HOW does that relate?

In Fistful's language, LGBT are just people who 'don't want to follow the rules'.

[Perd Hapley]

Well, there are rules. And they don't want to follow them.

[vaskidmark]

For all you folks whinging about smokers taking breaks -

As an ex-smoker I can remember both the times I stopped to suck down some nicotine while waiting for the next thing I was hired to do showed up to be done, as well as how quickly I threw away a burning butt to deal with whatever needed to be dealt with when it showed up while I was smoking.  (Think loading dock with nothing coming in or going out as we waited for a truck to be backed up to the dock.  Very similar to moving vehicles as they become available to be moved.)

If the devout Muslims are willing to knock off in mid-prayer to drive a vehicle that needs being driven then I might feel OK with them not clocking out for prayer time.  But if they are going to let a vehicle sit while they finish davening then they need to be off the clock as they are not available to perform for their employer.  (This is not to suggest that I am expecting all emplyees to jump up and run to get to every vehicle as soon as it is ready to be driven.  As far as I'm concerned, they can walk slowly and deliberately as much as they want, as long as they are available to do so.)

stay safe.

[Jamisjockey]

For all you folks whinging about smokers taking breaks -

As an ex-smoker I can remember both the times I stopped to suck down some nicotine while waiting for the next thing I was hired to do showed up to be done, as well as how quickly I threw away a burning butt to deal with whatever needed to be dealt with when it showed up while I was smoking.  (Think loading dock with nothing coming in or going out as we waited for a truck to be backed up to the dock.  Very similar to moving vehicles as they become available to be moved.)

If the devout Muslims are willing to knock off in mid-prayer to drive a vehicle that needs being driven then I might feel OK with them not clocking out for prayer time.  But if they are going to let a vehicle sit while they finish davening then they need to be off the clock as they are not available to perform for their employer.  (This is not to suggest that I am expecting all emplyees to jump up and run to get to every vehicle as soon as it is ready to be driven.  As far as I'm concerned, they can walk slowly and deliberately as much as they want, as long as they are available to do so.)

stay safe.

And I've worked with and seen many, many smokers that will insist on taking that smoke break, patiently and slowly suck down that cig, and if they get called back in to work, say "Be there when I'm done". 

[Ned Hamford]

Smoking used to be a lot cheaper.  When you have spent a few dollars for that one cig, I think you're less likely to toss it away unfinished. 

[Jamie B]

Well, there are rules. And they don't want to follow them.

And you do? Please!

[roo_ster]

A couple places my wife worked, she would take smoke breaks with the smokers.  No, she didn't smoke, but figured if it was good enough for them to take a break out doors, it was good enough for her.