Arafa Habib is employed in the shipping and receiving department of The Long and

Question

Arafa Habib is employed in the shipping and receiving department of The Long and the Short of It (“L&S”). He begins work before sunrise. At sunrise, during a break and at noon during lunch, he prays to Allah. One morning a huge shipment of suits arrives, and Arafa is told to work through his break. He refuses because of his prayer ritual. His supervisor informs Mark Short, co-president of L&S. Mark tells Arafa in no uncertain terms that his job comes before his religious practices. Furthermore, Mark stipulates that engaging in religious prayer at the workplace is disruptive. From now on, Arafa must discontinue it. Arafa explains that he is Muslim and that his faith requires prayer at certain times. Mark is unrelenting. Arafa resigns immediately and files a claim with the EEOC. Arafa states that his accommodation request was reasonable and that L&S discriminated against him because of his religious beliefs. Mark consults with Susan North, L&S’s attorney. Susan divides Arafa’s request for accommodation into two parts: First, his religious belief requires him to pray at sunrise, during break, and at noon and, second, he wishes to fulfill his religious practice by praying on the premises.

QUESTIONS:  

1.      Analyze both parts of Arafa’s request for accommodation. What argument might Short make that the accommodation requests were not reasonable?

2.      Do you believe that the accommodation requests were reasonable? Why or why not?

3.      If the accommodation requests were reasonable, what steps could Short have taken to provide the necessary accommodations on religious grounds to Arafa?

4.      What policies should the organization put in place to avoid potential liability in situations such as this?

Explanation / Answer

1 Ans: After analyzing both parts request for accommodation, the accommodation requests were not reasonable is to work in break times. The Arafa can allow use lunch or other break times for religious prayer.

2 Ans: Yes, accommodation request was reasonable in a work environment. The religious beliefs should not create any conflicts.

3 Ans: Here are some of the necessary accommodations include as follows:
(1) Modifying the work schedules which is related to shipping and receiving department.
(2) Granting breaks to pray on the premises
(3) Making some changes in the work policies of L&S
(4) Need to respect the privacy of the person requesting accommodation

4 Ans: As per the above scenario, here are some of the policies in an organization to avoid as follows:
(1) There should be an understanding barrier what is acceptable and not in the company terms and policies.
(2) There should be a team to state consequences and clear them that helps the people like Arafa to clear consequences.
(3) A reasonable religious accommodation should be given, that allows to practice their religion with more beliefs.

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