Time off for Eid

mumps

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I haven't been rude - I think it is ridiculous and am allowed [as far as I am aware] to think this.

It's called having an opinion.

Nothing wrong with having an opinion, if you said you aren't a Christian or you think the commercialism at Christmas is ridiculous and actually nothing to do with Christmas then fine but the way you spoke about Christmas was rude in my opinion.

jackieblack

magenta22 wrote: »

there were times where two of us wanted holiday which overlapped - we all booked the holiday before booking off work so that you then have the dates

Even if you've booked to travel your company does not have to agree to you having the time off, I know a few people who've tried this tactic and ended up having to find a new job or cancelling their holiday when their boss has refused them the time off.

LittleVoice

apples1 wrote: »

. . . it does seem that he would have had more than enough knowledge to mention time off required early Nov at either:
1) interview when he was asked if he had any pre-booked holiday
3)after job offer (when he was asked again if he had any pre-arranged hol)
3) when a draft rota was given out 10 days ago for all to check and come back with any queries etc within a four day window.
4) when final rota was published four days later to all staff by e mail and displayed hard copy at work.

Possible communication misunderstanding highlighted above.

He could not honestly say he had any pre-booked or pre-arranged holidays because he didn't.

That's not to say that he shouldn't have thought of mentioning that there would be some religious holidays he would want and that he would know the dates more precisely later.

Sambucus_Nigra

mumps wrote: »

Nothing wrong with having an opinion, if you said you aren't a Christian or you think the commercialism at Christmas is ridiculous and actually nothing to do with Christmas then fine but the way you spoke about Christmas was rude in my opinion.

But thinking something is ridiculous IS an opinion. I didn't say all Christians were deluded, which would have been rude; I expressed an opinion. If you have taken an opinion and decided to make yourself feel disgruntled, then that's your decision. But rude, it wasn't.

mumps

lizzielondon wrote: »

for people working in places which don't close on those days... I suspect christians are allowed those days off for religious reasons if those days are important to them? Is that not correct?

Depends how many people you need in and how many want the holiday off. In care (my sector but I am sure there are many others) we need to be fully staffed, we can't just put vulnerable people in a cupboard for a few days while everyone goes off and celebrates Christmas or Easter. I find I can usually manage by juggling Christmas and New Year, some people are happy to work one if they can have the other off.

Even with me trying very hard I will almost always have people working at Christmas who would prefer to have the holiday off. To be honest I don't know if they are asking for time off to celebrate the religious festival or just to have time with friends or family, I don't make value judgements about who needs the time off more or who has a valid reason. The only exception to that is if people manage to negotiate it themselves e.g. parent with young child can often persuade someone to swap a shift with them.

As I said in a previous post I am a church goer but I generally work Christmas Day as I want to support my staff. I go to Midnight Mass so that I can attend church and work.

Just wanted to say it is rare for one of my staff to let me down if they have to work.

ceridwen

I think "pre booked" and "pre-arranged" was a quite clear way of asking for the information required.

I'm feeling sorrier by the minute for poor O.P. - who seems as if an employee is trying to bully them into letting them have their own way regardless - and then getting various posters on here adding a bit of their own "frighteners" to try and bully this poor employer into submission (ie positive discrimination).

All I can say is - by now - I would be having "words" in no uncertain terms all round if someone was trying to bully me like this and others were trying to justify said bullying.

Bullying in the workplace is NOT acceptable - whoever is doing it - and, in this case, its the employee by the look of it.

mumps

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

But thinking something is ridiculous IS an opinion. I didn't say all Christians were deluded, which would have been rude; I expressed an opinion. If you have taken an opinion and decided to make yourself feel disgruntled, then that's your decision. But rude, it wasn't.

I think Christmas is ridiculous - not rude.

This Christmas thingy/this ridiculous festival - rude.

It is possible to to express your opinion on Christianity/Christmas without being rude.

I am not rude about other people's faith or lack of faith. I wouldn't say anything rude about hippies. I respect your right to have an opinion but you could express your opinion whilst still respecting other people's views. By the way I am not disgruntled and I certainly wouldn't waste my time making myself feel disgruntled.

By the way I also thought it was rude when someone made comments to you about lentil eating hippies and how they smell. Sorry, can't remember what they said word for word but it wasn't nice, I know lots of hippies who smell just fine.

Oldernotwiser

ceridwen wrote: »

Crikey - if its this much trouble to employ someone who doesnt wish to adapt to our ways - then....mental note made in case I'm ever self-employed and need an employee about factors I need to take into account (ie as regards who to select in the first place...).

What exactly do you mean by "our ways"?

In addition, your second point strikes me as being totally discriminatory.

ceridwen

<puzzled smilie> - "our ways" = the normal British way of life.

Didnt think one had to explain something so obvious/self-explanatory.

"who to select in the first place" = ANYone who won't be making "special demands" for more favourable treatment than other staff.

Getting more convinced by the minute that O.P. needs to start a "Bullying Diary" noting down exact events/exact words said and when. There is plenty of info. on the web about how to deal with bullying at work - though it has to be said that most of it is written from the pov of employER bullying employEE or staff bullying each other. But - I'm sure there must be other employers out there who get attempted bullying by their staff...

Sambucus_Nigra

mumps wrote: »

I think Christmas is ridiculous - not rude.

This Christmas thingy/this ridiculous festival - rude.

It is possible to to express your opinion on Christianity/Christmas without being rude.

I am not rude about other people's faith or lack of faith. I wouldn't say anything rude about hippies. I respect your right to have an opinion but you could express your opinion whilst still respecting other people's views. By the way I am not disgruntled and I certainly wouldn't waste my time making myself feel disgruntled.

By the way I also thought it was rude when someone made comments to you about lentil eating hippies and how they smell. Sorry, can't remember what they said word for word but it wasn't nice, I know lots of hippies who smell just fine.

Ok - see there you have used an inverse compliment to insult someone...which IS rude. Not that I mind; I am comfortable enough in my own skin not to take it to heart.