Question

Imagine Barry complains to management about the time Ahmed takes to pray. Ahmed puts forth a suggestion that his prayer time is taken as break times, and he still works a full day – just a longer one than his colleagues. Management refuses the suggestion as if he gets special treatment, everyone will want special treatment. What further issue has now occurred in this workplace?

Answer 1

The further issue that has occurred in this workplace is discrimination. By refusing Ahmed's suggestion to take his prayer time as break times, management is treating Ahmed differently from his colleagues based on his religious beliefs. This is a form of discrimination, which can create a hostile work environment and lead to further conflicts and tensions in the workplace.

Furthermore, by rejecting Ahmed's request, management is sending a message to other employees that they will not accommodate religious beliefs or practices, which can discourage employees from expressing their own religious or cultural needs. This can create a culture of fear, where employees feel they must choose between their religious beliefs and their employment, which can lead to low morale, high turnover, and potential legal issues for the company.

It is important for management to be aware of and sensitive to the religious and cultural needs of their employees and to create policies and procedures that accommodate these needs while still maintaining productivity and fairness. By doing so, management can foster a more inclusive and diverse workplace and avoid potential legal issues and conflicts.