March 10, 2005

Muslims Fired for Praying on the Job at Dell

I sympathize with these dudes, I really do, but the problem with Islamic prayers are that they are set by the solar time of day in Mecca (ie, sunrise and sunset rather than a certain time of day). What do you expect Dell to do, shut down the entire assembly line because a handful of workers can't keep the same schedule?

The Tennessean:

"They told us that we cannot pray at sunset,'' Nuur said. ''They told us that we would have to wait for our break.''
Oh no! Discrimination!! Bigotry!!! Bias!!!! Nazis!!!!

Oh, wait:

''Dell values diversity in all areas, and that includes religious beliefs,'' Dell spokesman Mark Drury said. ''The company's practice is to accommodate religious beliefs, so long as the accommodations are reasonable, don't disrupt business operations and are consistent with our policies on operating a respectful workplace.

''Employees are allowed time off with pay to pray. We have traffic-free areas for them to use for prayer.''

Sometimes those religious needs conflict with the business, though.

''When granting time off during a shift on a manufacturing line would be disruptive,'' Drury said, ''we have worked out reasonable accommodations, such as a tag-out procedure when employees can leave the line to pray and return, allowing the next employee time to leave the line to pray.''

For some odd reason, when I tell my Dean I need time off to pray, I get this sort of look...you know?

hat tip: Kevin Aylward

UPDATE: Meanwhile IKEA plays the dhimmi to the tea. This article describes how IKEA only shows men in its instuction brochures (IKEA sells unassembled furniture) so as not to offend the sensibilities of Muslims who might be offended at the thought of *shock* a woman putting together furniture. (hat tip Opinionbug)

Paranthetically, I was once in Sweden on a holiday and visited IKEA in its native land. My take? Swedish women are way overrated.

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 01:15 PM | |