would it be appropriate to ask the interviewer this question??

Question

well im a muslim....so there are certain timings when i have to pray.
would it be apprpriate to ask the interviewer (when he asks if i have questions).....if i can get time off to pray??
should i rephrase that question??

Answer 1

I would tell the employer that you are a faithful muslim and require x time off per day for prayer, but that you are willing to start earlier/take less lunch etc to compensate for the time.

I think it is bets to be upfront about the situation for all parties.

Answer 2

Interesting question!
Much of the answer depends on the type of job and the interviewer and the company. If it is a service job (telephone customer service for example) then you would definitely need a break. If more of a desk job where you could slip away for a few minutes then it might be different.
But if you phrase it more in the mode of needing a break for x minutes in the morning and the afternoon for personal religious needs that would make it hard for most companies to make a fuss. That would also depend on how big X is.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I have done allot of interviews and as much as I hate to say it if you asked me this I would not hire you. Let it go. Do you want a job or do you want to live by your religion. After you have shown that you are a good employee then you can ask for time to pray and whatever else you need. I have about 6 guys who work for me who are muslim and they don't need to ask for extra time so I assume this should not be a problem.

Answer 4

I would inquire if it is possible to take short breaks at the time of day when you need to say prayers. If they say no, then you know you need to find a compromise, or find a different company to work for. The way you ask it in your question, it sounds like you need lengthier times off, not just time to say your daily prayers at appropriate times. I understand also that there may be holidays as well, and I would think if you ask in advance just like any other occurrence, then you can get the time off you need.

Answer 5

If you feel its a necessity to do, then by all means, ask. However, if your given breaks every 3.0 hours or so with a bathroom break in between, you can use this time instead. Just use common sense. Good luck.

Answer 6

You should probably be forthright about this. Don't phrase it as "time off", but rather make mention of needing a few minutes each day to observe your religious practices (let him/her know that you are a Muslim, and inform him/her of the daily prayers, etc).

Answer 7

I would not ask in the interview. I would wait until there was an offer, and things like salary, breaks, vacation, etc. are being discussed.

Answer 8

i don't believe they would be bound by any law to give you that right. otherwise there would be no businesses open on Sundays. you may need to find employment with someone who shares your religious views or maybe in a field that you work at your own pace and are not under any immediate supervision.(e.i. real state broker).

Answer 9

Don't ask, see if you can schedule your breaks around it later.

Answer 10

i dint think its appropriate to bring up ethnicity but if it is very important to you then yes ask