Job Seeking & Worship

fiddlediddle69

Hi there, just a quick question....

I'm wondering how a person would stand if they specify on a day or days that they would be unable to work due to meeting for worship of a religious nature, how is that covered at Job centres etc?

Any and all genuine advice gratefully received....

Tiddlywinks

fiddlediddle69 wrote: »

Hi there, just a quick question....

I'm wondering how a person would stand if they specify on a day or days that they would be unable to work due to meeting for worship of a religious nature, how is that covered at Job centres etc?

Any and all genuine advice gratefully received....

You need to be more specific. There are many varied religions all with their own belief systems.

What kind of worship?

What is the religion and what is its specific requirement?

How will these requirements impact on the jobs you can / will do?

How do others of the same persuasion manage their lives?

amiehall

You must be able to be regarded as "available for work" to claim JSA. So if you were involved in my religion where I insist followers may only work 5pm-8pm, you would not be eligible to claim. Under normal circumstances you must make yourself available for at least 40 hours a week of work.

The job centre will agree a pattern of availability when they form the job seeker agreement. They will expect an applicant to be as flexible about times as reasonably possible, however, you are able to specify times you are unavailable and if the reasons for these are accepted, you won't be expected to apply for jobs that involve working these times.

On the whole, reasonable religious practices are accepted by the job centre. There is a requirement that you still have reasonable employment prospects when the restriction is taken into account. So my other religion where you're banned from speaking to anyone during daylight hours is also probably out. However a religion where followers have to attend a service once a week at a set time is likely to be considered reasonable.

DCFC79

If you work 9 to 5 then go after work, Im sure there must be those of various faiths who work and go to worship when they can eg day off.

SailorSam

Have a read of this about discrimination and religion and see is there anything that covers your position.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1660/regulation/19/made

https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights/discrimination-at-work