Am I being discriminated against religiously and what can I do about it?

Question

I have been working for my company for nearly a year and a half now. When hired I was hired with the understanding that I was off on Sundays for church and church volunteering. Recently in the past several months my company backed out on that deal and is practically telling me if I wanna keep my job I will work the Sundays they schedule me. Even with this weeks upcoming schedule I said I had to be off for church and I was told that I couldn't have it off because my manager and another employee (his friend) were taking off for a birthday party. I'm known at my corporate human resources as 'church boy'. I feel my religious views are being brushed aside and not taken in to consideration. I don't know what to do. Any help would be amazing. Take care and God bless.

Answer 1

It sounds like it's not your religious views that are being brushed aside, it is you. I don't know about the legality of this, but if I were you, I'd start looking for another job.

While you need a job, and the ability to worship when you wish, the employer needs staff to work when they need work to get done.

If you strip away all the extra details in your story, what we're left with is that what you need as an employee and the companies needs from you are in conflict. And that's bad for both of you.

Also consider that if you need every Sunday off, no exceptions, you need a job where Sunday work can be avoided. Otherwise, you're expecting people to do things that are opposed to your religion, right? That doesn't sound good.

Answer 2

discriminated against hahahaah you have no idea what discrimination is. I don't mean to be rude (or maybe I do) but come on working on Sundays is not discrimination & everybody elses benefits in the work place are fading as well so get use to it. As a Church boy I guess, shouldn't you be proud of that, I mean you were obviously proud enough to present yourself as so, why not anymore everyone else in the work world is known by some sort of nick name just be glad it was presented to you instead of people calling you something elses behind your back. Nicknames are not so bad the only people that don't know their nickname are the hard *** non-social people known as boss, or sir. Anyway I guess I should add something wise sounding as this question is pretty interesting. Everyone working for some sort of business especially corporate world, will almost always feel they are not aprreciated & try to find some stupid reason to leave this type of work world is pretty hard to deal with, everyone backstabbing, lying basically doing everything they can to get on top really Taking credit for your work & pretending to be your friend, Ect. This can be very hard for the one doing all the hard work & not receiving any credit. You either play the game or go, thats it, simply put.

Answer 3

Unless, when you were first hired, you got in writing that you would be allowed off every Sunday, employers have the right to adjust any and all employees' schedules as needed to operate the business. While I'm sure church is important to you personally, the manager's first obligation is to the business, not the employees.
However, it does seem as if the manager may be giving preferential treatment to the other employee (the "friend") based on an outside personal relationship. This would depend on when they placed their request to be off vs. when you made your request. If this is the case, you may have an argument there to take to HR. Also, if you can get a witness to verify that HR refers to you as "church boy", it may give you more to stand on as well.
Learn this if nothing else: get everything in writing as soon as it is discussed. In the professional world, if it's not in writing, it was never said

Answer 4

Maybe getting some legal advice would be a good idea. I don't mean paying a lawyer, but maybe looking for some free advice first. Contact some government agency that handles employment legislation. You have rights. However, i do not know what the legalities here are. There are circumstances where an employer can change schedules and working hours. But then, you say they agreed to give you Sundays off. It is hard to know what to do here. Again, I think you should seek advice from an expert in this area,and give them all the specifics about your situation.
I share your frustration. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, sorry to hear that. You say that you were hired "with the understanding" that you had to be off on sundays. Did they specifically tell you that? Is it written somewhere? Who said it? Those are important details if ypou want to make a formal complaint. Then there is the issue off name calling. You don´t say if your company is big or small, but I understand that antibullying policies in the workplace are being implemented full force now.. you can always complain to your HR supervisor, or whoever is assigned in your company for that purpose. If you were sexually harassed where would you go? the same person or department will do for you!! Best of luck.

Answer 6

To be honest, not really. You will be a stronger christian if you learn how to think outside the box.

I think as a christian you should understand that your religion is more flexible than you make it out to be. Its not about rules and if you are american lots of churches accomodate worshipping on other days.

Christianity only has two commandments.

Take care and God bless. Great luck with your charity/church work. I say this even tho I've left the fold. You will be stronger and more effective in your faith if you take my advice tho.

Answer 7

You probably don't have a leg to stand on. I had the same problem but the company I worked for was a union company. The union was going to take the company to court but the company backed down and gave me any time I wanted off (including Wed. night services). If you have the money you can take them to court. If not, get another job.

Answer 8

Sorry you lose on that one unless you have an agreement written into your contract. Your company is allowed to require you to work up to 8 hours a day 40 hours a week any days. this requirement may very from state to state but as far as I know none have a provision for Sunday off unless it is a written contract. xx

Answer 9

I would sit down with the top manager, & talk to him, But there is companies that does require working on Sundays, If that is their policy, there is not much you can do, But also make sure they are not giving other religion in you employment a special treatment.

Answer 10

You're probably not going to like this answer but have you thought that maybe someone else thought they were being discriminated against because you were always getting Sundays off and maybe someone would've also like to have that same day off for another reason? Maybe your bosses are just trying to make it fair for everyone else by not showing favoritism.