Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
4
“It’s Common Decency”: Muslim Employee Upsets Coworker For Taking Christmas Break Off
Christmas is a time of giving and a season to spread holiday cheer. However, not everyone celebrates it, primarily because of religious beliefs.
That then begs a rather interesting question: Can an employee who doesn’t celebrate Christmas be allowed to take time off during the holiday season? This particular issue arose at a workplace when a Muslim employee decided he would go away on Christmas week, something his coworker had a problem with.Â
The colleague is now asking the internet whether they are being unreasonable. Scroll down for the entire story.Â
RELATED:
Not everyone celebrates Christmas because of differing religious beliefs
Image credits: LightFieldStudios (not the actual photo)
A Muslim employee’s plan to take time off during Christmas week didn’t sit well with one of his colleagues
Image credits: Nicole Michalou (not the actual photo)
The co-worker provided justifications for why they questioned the man’s vacation plansÂ
Image credits: Username638
There are laws that prohibit any form of religion-based discrimination
Companies want to avoid conflict among employees because of their religion, which led to the enactment of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law protects workers and job applicants from discrimination based on national origin, race, gender, and religious affiliations.Â
Since Christmas is widely celebrated worldwide, most organizations offer paid time off around this time. Therefore, even employees who don’t celebrate this holiday get to enjoy the same luxury as those who do.Â
Under this law, a company cannot impose religious practices on people with differing beliefs or make attending holiday events mandatory, especially if alcohol is involved. In such cases, employees may sue their employers for discrimination.Â
In the story, the man had the right as an employee to use his paid time off whenever he wanted to, regardless of whether he celebrated Christmas. He wasn’t forced to partake in holiday traditions, either.Â
Planning ahead is the best way to avoid PTO conflicts during the holiday season
The holiday season means an influx of people wanting to take time off to celebrate with their loved ones. Planning weeks, even months, in advance may help avoid potential conflict.Â
Dana Burch, senior counsel for labor relations law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, advises creating a holiday calendar highlighting important dates and sharing it with coworkers.Â
Open communication is equally important, especially for vacation-related matters. Burch also reminds employees to coordinate with colleagues to cover essential tasks during their time off.Â
“Be proactive, communicate openly, and keep the spirit of the season alive in your workplace,†Burch wrote in an article on LinkedIn.Â
The author has no control over their colleague’s decisions and when he wants to take his vacation. However, they do have control over their own schedule, which they could have fixed ahead of time.
Readers had mixed reactions to the story
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Lew k 1 year ago
I get the posters pov. Its just because silly religion comes into play that it's sensitive. I cover super bowl Sunday on calls because I'm one of the few that doesn't care about football. It not any different. They ask who can cover it even though they let us off early that day so people can go watch the game. I offer because the day is just a Sunday to me. Actual religious events are the same, easter means nothing to me so I wouldn't fight for a Easter off over someone who observers. Christmas is slightly different because my family does get together and I like having it off for my son, but guess who's working on call Christmas week anyhow? The guy isn't obligated but it is a common decency to cover a holiday you don't celebrate so others that do can have it off.
Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
Suck it up buttercup. You want PTO at a particular time? Book it. If you aren’t organised enough to book the same days off every year, on the same religious festival every year then you snooze and you lose. Your religion or indeed someone else’s religion is irrelevant, you don’t get to use your religion as a lever against someone else’s religion. Luckily I’m atheist so I get to chuckle at anyone who can’t remember that Christmas is the same date EVERY YEAR 😂
Kari Panda 1 year ago
What on earth are you talking about. OP clearly said that two people have to stay. It’s similar in my company - everyone has to apply for Christmas leave until a set date, and then my boss decides who gets to go and who has to stay (based on who had to stay the years before etc.). That has absolutely nothing to do with being organised.
Load More Replies...
Ai 1 year ago (edited)
My Muslim teammate always offered to take a late shift on Christmas day. We didn't expect it from him, but he did it anyway, and we made sure to show him that we appreciated it and were ready to accommodate him whenever he needed it. I'm European and always work on Thanksgiving because I don't celebrate it, and I know that my American teammates want to spend that time with their families. Again - no one told me to do it, but it costs me NOTHING to be kind. Those are not things that are required, but if you have nice, understanding people on your team, you take them into consideration. So yes, he is free to take his holidays during Christmas even if he plans to do nothing, but then he should never expect others to accommodate his needs. And it's just not a team I would like to work in. (Edit: If he planned to celebrate it non-religiously with his friends and/or family as a day when they all are free, then I consider it celebrating Christmas and a completely valid reason to want a day off.)
Cee Cee 1 year ago
I ran winter shelters for rough sleepers. We were staffed 24/7. Where possible those with kids got Xmas off but not New Year. Worked just fine.
Load More Replies... Lew k 1 year ago
I get the posters pov. Its just because silly religion comes into play that it's sensitive. I cover super bowl Sunday on calls because I'm one of the few that doesn't care about football. It not any different. They ask who can cover it even though they let us off early that day so people can go watch the game. I offer because the day is just a Sunday to me. Actual religious events are the same, easter means nothing to me so I wouldn't fight for a Easter off over someone who observers. Christmas is slightly different because my family does get together and I like having it off for my son, but guess who's working on call Christmas week anyhow? The guy isn't obligated but it is a common decency to cover a holiday you don't celebrate so others that do can have it off.
Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
Suck it up buttercup. You want PTO at a particular time? Book it. If you aren’t organised enough to book the same days off every year, on the same religious festival every year then you snooze and you lose. Your religion or indeed someone else’s religion is irrelevant, you don’t get to use your religion as a lever against someone else’s religion. Luckily I’m atheist so I get to chuckle at anyone who can’t remember that Christmas is the same date EVERY YEAR 😂
Kari Panda 1 year ago
What on earth are you talking about. OP clearly said that two people have to stay. It’s similar in my company - everyone has to apply for Christmas leave until a set date, and then my boss decides who gets to go and who has to stay (based on who had to stay the years before etc.). That has absolutely nothing to do with being organised.
Load More Replies... Ai 1 year ago (edited)
My Muslim teammate always offered to take a late shift on Christmas day. We didn't expect it from him, but he did it anyway, and we made sure to show him that we appreciated it and were ready to accommodate him whenever he needed it. I'm European and always work on Thanksgiving because I don't celebrate it, and I know that my American teammates want to spend that time with their families. Again - no one told me to do it, but it costs me NOTHING to be kind. Those are not things that are required, but if you have nice, understanding people on your team, you take them into consideration. So yes, he is free to take his holidays during Christmas even if he plans to do nothing, but then he should never expect others to accommodate his needs. And it's just not a team I would like to work in. (Edit: If he planned to celebrate it non-religiously with his friends and/or family as a day when they all are free, then I consider it celebrating Christmas and a completely valid reason to want a day off.)
Cee Cee 1 year ago
I ran winter shelters for rough sleepers. We were staffed 24/7. Where possible those with kids got Xmas off but not New Year. Worked just fine.
Load More Replies... You May Like Employee Denied Time Off After Covering A Crisis All Weekend: “The Stupidest Person Alive” 43 Insider Secrets From Various Jobs That You're Not Supposed To Know, But Are Industry Standards
Dominyka Proškėnaitė
Rūta Zumbrickaitė
Related on Bored Panda
6
63