Hertz Fires 26 Muslim Drivers For Not Clocking Out For Prayer Breaks

A few weeks after being put on suspension, more than 20 Muslim drivers were fired by Hertz for refusing to clock out before taking prayer breaks.

The dispute stems from the car rental company's new policy that requires all employees to clock out before breaks, even for religious observation, the Associated Press reports. All company employees receive two 10-minute paid breaks during an eight-hour shift.

Hertz officials say the 34 Somali Muslims who work at the Sea-Tac Airport location in Seattle that were placed on suspension were given the option to sign a document agreeing to abide by the policy, but 26 of them did not comply and were fired.

Clocking out for breaks would not affect pay. The employees were against the policy because they "feel monitored during their religions rituals," according to the Seattle Weekly.

Hertz said some of the employees were taking breaks that exceeded the 10-minute limit, and they're reinforcing the policy in an effort to "promote fairness in the workplace," Seattle's KOMO reports.

"It's not about prayer, it's not about religion; it's about reasonable requirements," Hertz spokesperson Rich Broome told the Associated Press.

Teamster 117, the union representing the workers, said they tried to negotiate with Hertz before they terminated the employees, but that the company thinks it's a fair solution to the problem.

The union says the company should have taken a different approach to the problem before instating a general rule.

"If there's a problem with the performance or the conduct of any employee, you have the right to deal with that employee individually. That's not what they did here," union spokesperson Tracey Thompson, told KOMO.

The union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, the AP reports.

For more on the story watch KOMO's report above.

Comments

[wehttam1001]

11:32 PM on 11/25/2011

Umm who do they think they are wanting to be paid for praying. Clock out its as simple as that. Just because you believe in something does not mean people have to pay you for it.

[AbrahamSadegh]

06:01 PM on 10/29/2011

It is time to reconsider some of the so called Pillars of Islam!

The Iranian revolution – to which I devoted couple of years my life at the outset but was totally disillusioned for what it gradually came to be – in reality resulted in my deciding to study the Quran independently of others critically and with an open mind and heart.

What I discovered after two more decades was wondrous:

First of all Muslims are not robots but God's representatives on Earth – After the metaphorical creation of Adam, the LORD said to the angels, "I am placing on Earth" one that shall rule as My deputy, a viceroy, vice-regent, etc. Chapter 2.30.

This means for each Muslim to accept the individual responsibility of doing things on God's behalf and not copying anyone else!

Another significant verse is God abrogating a verse and replacing it with a better one or one that is similar. Chapter 2.106.

1. Every moment of our lives would be a prayer if one is doing its best for itself and others. There is no reason not to formally pray anytime one has an opportunity, keeping in mind that God does not need our bowing to It.

2. If I do want to pray in certain direction, I should face Jerusalem towards which at the dawn of Islam Muslims initially prayed and from which Prophet Muhammad had the vision to seeing the Paradise.

3. Also annual Pilgrimage should be to Jerusalem and not Mecca!

[Sam D man]

11:11 AM on 10/29/2011

The only supreme being Hertz believes in is there hi-priced car rentals.

[Jon Blog]

11:06 PM on 10/28/2011

Regarding the comments by some who are disdainful toward prayer/ prayer breaks, keep in mind that those without faith are not beyond mockery themselves. Many substitute other things for faith such as the worship of money, sex, power, falsehood, and they devote themselves to their indulgences in ways that often defy logic. It can then be asked according to the highest standards of logic, are they beyond ridicule and mockery? People need to be more circumspect before criticizing things such as those wishing to pray, recognizing that we all have our deficiencies and limitations.

[Clovis4]

02:57 AM on 10/31/2011

Why should we respect anyone's beliefs? I'm not suggesting we discriminate against anyone, but respecting a belief is asking a lot. Believers make specular claims about the supernatural with zero proof and we are to respect that? In what other arena do we respect beliefs? Science, medicine, engineering, none. If I told you I believe we should build a build a bridge of rubber because I believe and have faith in the ability of rubber to hold up the weight of the load would you believe me? Believers are basing their life and imposing their beliefs on non-believers all the time, is it asking that much that you prove these claims?

[Jon Blog]

01:33 AM on 11/01/2011

Belief should be respected in so far as everyone is entitled to believe as they choose. And since no one (except the Creator) has a 360 degree view of all things, we must be careful in drawing our conclusions. You mentioned science as a reference, and yet so much of science is formed on the basis of belief-- such as theory and hypothesis. The branch of theoretical physics is called that because proofs are lacking; same with theoretical math etc.
As for proof of the supernatural, consider the big bang theory as promulgated in science-- one cannot uphold that theory except with the existence of God. You see science can tell us the 'how', but only religious knowledge can tell us the 'why'. Hence belief is important in both disciplines of thinking.

[CubsandBearsTattoodMommy]

04:22 PM on 12/08/2011

People are free to practice whatever faith they choose, and I follow the U.S. Constitution religiously and wholeheartedly believe in it, but if they want to pray and are told to clock out first, then they were warned and deserved to be fired. I'm Roman Catholic and if I wanted to take an hour or so off to pray, I have NO problems clocking out - you're paid to work, not pray. It's as simple as that. Or (and I believe this was at Coney Island but I'm not 100% sure) those Muslims who tried sueing an amusement park becuase they were told that if they wanted to ride a roller coaster, they had to take the head-garb (that scarf or whatever they call it) off for safety reasons. Anyone, regardless of faith, would be asked to take scarves and hats off. Our nation has become a nation of entitlement and it sickens me that it's even allowed. If they don't like our rules, they can go back to whatever country they came from and follow it there. I've known a few peaceful Muslims, so if you think I'm prejudice, sure, I am to an extent, but that goes for any religion or way or life that feels entitled and practices Sharia Law and promotes terrorism.

[Jon Blog]

04:04 PM on 12/12/2011

Unfortunately your comments do appear to reflect some bias. I believe that if one is not knowledgeable about a given subject they ought to tread lightly, because anyone who has reached any maturity in this world realizes that nothing is what it seems to be. (The things popular culture may lionize may not deserve to be, and the things that are condemned may not deserve to be.)

Islam is not a religion that promotes terrorism. Read the Quran and speak with informed Muslims AND non-Muslim scholars who could educate you in this regard. Sharia law is often misunderstood and some assume it is forced on individuals. The Quran itself states that there is to be NO compulsion in religion. How can you force someone to have faith?

As for those that seek to pray, I agree with you that abuse in excess is not to be tolerated. But if you are familiar with the Muslim prayer you know that it is a relatively quick thing, and just as Hertz may allow others to make personal phone calls, check personal emails, smoke etc., without clocking out, a double standard applies if only those praying are sanctioned, which is something that should not be tolerated under our constitution.

[Sasa Milosevic]

09:01 PM on 10/28/2011

The company's decision was right. The job is not place for religious rite. There is home or religious object or even nature. Somalis come in civilized world to find better life that includes work and primarily respecting rules of company they work for.

[tploomis]

05:20 PM on 10/28/2011

And while they're at it, companies should fire smokers that take smoke breaks on company time. There are plenty of unemployed out there who want to work and are willing to put in an honest day's work. There is no need to put up with people that allow addiction or religion to interfere with doing their job.

[tploomis]

05:15 PM on 10/28/2011

"Sorry, sir. I know you've been standing in line for twenty minutes, but I'll get through with this prayer just as soon as I can."

[MIKEinNYC]

07:48 AM on 10/28/2011

If you need to pray on the job then this is not the job for you.

[Jon Blog]

11:00 PM on 10/27/2011

While I do agree with Beezus29, I also believe that it is short-sided of Hertz to not appreciate employees who are striving to be morally upright. Many employers have to worry about theft in the workplace, drug abuse, fraud etc. I would think that insightful employers would recognize the value and power of prayer, and encourage it not stifle it.

[TheSecularist]

08:30 PM on 10/28/2011

The fact that someone prays is not indication of their ethics or morality. If that were the case, the US should have considerably less crime in all categories.

[Jon Blog]

10:54 PM on 10/28/2011

Your statement is true, but you overlook the fact that many people are actually motivated toward better behavior because of religious concerns. Whether one is a secularist, atheist, or agnostic is not the point, it is quite likely that the US would have even more crime and corruption were it not for those who take their religious beliefs seriously (regardless of whether one agrees with those beliefs or not).

[Beezus29]

05:29 PM on 10/27/2011

As a Muslim woman, I have to say that I agree with Hertz. It's not that hard to clock out and make prayer. Don't make problems where there aren't any.

[TheKurgan9]

06:10 PM on 10/27/2011

Wow - a muslim I agree with. Now let me ask you - do you think that Catholic university should offer muslim students a student union and a seperate prayer room? I say no way, it is a CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY - nobody forced these muslim students to atend a catholic university. Just want your opinion. BTW - I wonder how a muslim university in the mid east would react if christians requested the same thing - possible death penalty I would say!

[Mian Uddin]

09:30 PM on 10/27/2011

They wouldjust try their best to mead the request. Are you crazy?

[AFRescue143]

10:23 PM on 10/27/2011

you are part of the problem, certainly not part of the solution. Your clear hatred of Muslims is very obvious.

And to answer your question, a Muslim University IS NOT Tax Exempt from American Taxes like a Catholic University is. If this University wants to follow the TRUE teachings of Jesus Christ they will open their doors to people of ALL Religions and allow them a place to pray.

And that Muslim University is in a country that does not have a Constitution or the Bill of Rights, your tired comparison of what happens in another country as an excuse for limiting rights in this country is getting very old. And it just shows you don't have anything to add to this discussion at all.

[AFRescue143]

10:20 PM on 10/27/2011

thank you for that post. Many businesses would not even consider allowing someone to take time out of their work schedule for Prayers. I believe it says a great deal about Hertz to allow this, but it is not their responsibility to pay for it. And they should NOT pay for it.

[xhawk2]

02:48 PM on 10/27/2011

Why don't they call it what it is: Company gets tired of caving to Islamists and fires those who wouldn't follow the rules.

[FDRinhell]

02:34 PM on 10/27/2011

Bravo Hertz for not craving into Muslim supremacist intimidation and the sharia. I will always rent from your company in the future.

[Thaddeus Jude]

10:12 AM on 10/27/2011

And they should be fired for it. They are not special snowflakes that get special attention. They CHOOSE to be religious, and thus they CHOOSE to take breaks. I get annoyed enough that SMOKERS can randomly take breaks at some businesses and get paid for them. What, do I have to take up a bad habit like smoking or religion to get free breaks? Get real.

[Nathaneal Green]

08:27 PM on 10/26/2011

Our freedoms, like speech and religion, are certainly limited in the workplace, but where a workplace policy plainly impinges on employee religious practices, indeed, where the employer fullwell knows that a "supposedly" neutral policy impinges religion, and still takes disciplinary action to curb the religious practice, then that policy smacks of discrimination.

Even government employees, like school teachers, are regularly allowed to express religious sentiments, for example, by wearing a Crucifix necklace, or jewelry with the Star of David.

I have never worn a Crucifix, a Star of David, nor have I ever prayed vocally during a work break, but it is worrisome that an employer knows an employee is using his or her break to pray and monitors the event anyway. Certainly my freedoms are diminished if the freedoms of others are impaired.

[Thaddeus Jude]

10:14 AM on 10/27/2011

This isn't a neutral policy, though, as ANYBODY taking a break has to clock out. This would include people taking smoke breaks. The reason for clocking out is to make sure that they're not exceeding ten minutes, and that applies to EVERYBODY taking a break.

[Cindbird]

10:31 PM on 10/25/2011

The fact Hertz put the prayer statement in the new rules proves it was aimed strictly at muslim employees. How many non-muslims have been fired over the new policy? They decided on a convenient way to get rid of their muslim employees. The daily prayers take about 5 minutes. This is over Hertz wanting to get rid of the muslims and so they made up a rule that allowed them to do it. It is discrimination, plain and simple.

[erehwon2]

09:28 AM on 10/26/2011

Where does it say that there was any mention of prayer in the rules or, indeed, that there are any new rules at all? Hertz's regulations require that drivers clock out for their breaks, regardless of how they spend those breaks. The rules are no different for the Muslim drivers than they are for drivers of any other faith. The company merely wants the Muslim drivers to comply with the SAME rules as everyone else.

[Cindbird]

04:01 PM on 10/26/2011

"The dispute stems from the car rental company's new policy that requires all employees to clock out before breaks, even for religious observation, the Associated Press reports."

[barry444]

12:06 PM on 10/26/2011

That's not discrimination. Discrimination would be if Muslims could take special breaks all the time for their religion and I couldn't, because I'm not Muslim.

They didn't have a problem with them taking breaks for prayer, they had a problem for paying them to not work.

[Cindbird]

04:02 PM on 10/26/2011

Then they should have a problem paying smokers or coffee drinkers not to work too.

[Cindy Tregan]

03:56 PM on 10/28/2011

Actually, not even that. They ARE paid for their breaks. However the breaks are only allowed to be 10 minutes long - for EVERYONE. The concern is that some workers (not necessarily the ones praying) are taking breaks that are longer than 10 minutes. Hertz would be liable for discrimination suit if they exempted ANYONE from clocking out.