I work at a plant alongside several Pakistani employees who are Muslim. Our personnel department has recently changed our breaks around to accommodate their daily prayer schedule and Ramadan, when they are fasting. Now, we actually have an extra 10-minute break per shift, so most of us are supportive.
But some of the crew grumble about special treatment and want to ask for some more Christian holidays off; I’m thinking especially about the Catholic Church’s Holy Days of Obligation, some of which fall on weekdays. I haven’t observed them in years — but that’s partly because my work schedule is so inflexible. Am I allowed to ask the boss for these off, too?
— Wage Earner
