Friday, August 15, 2008
So many religious holidays, so little time off
Many companies struggle with the diversity of religions now found through the world. The difficulty revolves around how to properly handle religious observances and holidays.
In the southern US state of Tennessee Tyson Foods has grappled with this issue as it has been working out a new contract with its union.
Originally there was an agreement in place to exchange Labor Day for Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting.
However amid much public attention, the company changed the agreement. During the first year of the contract Eid al-Fitr will be a paid holiday in addition to Labor Day, a US holiday marking the formation of the first major union formation. Beginning next year Tyson Foods will no longer close for Eid al-Fitr, however all employees will receive one floating holiday to be used for any observance of their choice, pending a supervisor’s approval.
Although this solution seems amiable, critics point out that Christians do not need to use a personal holiday for their major observances because the plant closes. Therefore Christians are getting a benefit from an extra day off to schedule at will for recreation while other religions must use that day if they are to join family for religious observances.
There seems to be no easy answer given the thousands of world religions.
Many companies struggle with the diversity of religions now found through the world. The difficulty revolves around how to properly handle religious observances and holidays.In the southern US state of Tennessee Tyson Foods has grappled with this issue as it has been working out a new contract with its union.
Originally there was an agreement in place to exchange Labor Day for Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting.
However amid much public attention, the company changed the agreement. During the first year of the contract Eid al-Fitr will be a paid holiday in addition to Labor Day, a US holiday marking the formation of the first major union formation. Beginning next year Tyson Foods will no longer close for Eid al-Fitr, however all employees will receive one floating holiday to be used for any observance of their choice, pending a supervisor’s approval.
Although this solution seems amiable, critics point out that Christians do not need to use a personal holiday for their major observances because the plant closes. Therefore Christians are getting a benefit from an extra day off to schedule at will for recreation while other religions must use that day if they are to join family for religious observances.
There seems to be no easy answer given the thousands of world religions.
Labels: Culture_Clash, News, Religion
¶ 8/15/2008
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This is a huge challenge for employers. The idea of just honoring legal holidays doesn't work anymore. We are finding it harder to deal with because once we made the first accomodation everyone else started saying we had done it already so coultdn't say no.
Employers need to be very careful because this could be worth billions to lawyers.
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Employers need to be very careful because this could be worth billions to lawyers.
# posted by 
: 8/20/2008
: 8/20/2008Links to this post:
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