Muslim employees file complaint against Wisconsin company for alleged religious discrimination

A legal complaint was filed against a Wisconsin-based equipment company for allegedly disciminating against its Muslim workers because it no longer allows extra break time for prayers.

Somali Muslim employees are dismayed by a new break policy implemented by Ariens Co., a manufacturer of lawn tractors and snowblowers, in January.

Previously, the company let them take turns taking prayer breaks at traditional times, provided they get their supervisor's permission. In January, however, a new policy was implemented that gives workers two 10-minute breaks per workshift, set at a scheduled time.

"These individuals had direct and personal conversations with management in which they stated that they wanted to continue their employment with Ariens, but felt that they were no longer welcome and being forced out because of the company's new policy," said the letter written by the Council on American Islamic Relations, as quoted by ABC News.

The letter was sent to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission along with the complaint. The CAIR represents 15 of the company's Somali Muslim employees, dozens of which are protesting against the break policy. The company allegedly threatened to dismiss workers who continue to take breaks in addition to the ones scheduled, or those who ask for time for prayer. Since its implementation, 14 have reportedly resigned and seven were terminated.

"The outright refusal to entertain, discuss, or offer any reasonable religious accommodation options that would resolve the alleged workplace conflict is unacceptable and inconsistent with prevailing Title VII law and EEOC guidelines," CAIR said in the letter.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers to accommodate religious beliefs and it prohibits discrimination of employees based on their faith. Practising Muslims pray five times each day; thus, the move has been deemed as religious discrimination.

Meanwhile, Ariens Co. deem the complaint as "disappointing news."

"We have had Muslim employees working for the company for nine years," said company spokesperson Ann Stilp in a statement. "We currently have more than 27 Muslim employees who continue to work here and we continue to accommodate them with prayer rooms."

Susan Warner, an employment attorney with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, said in report on Industry Week in February that the breakdown in communication between employer and employees might have been "a cultural thing," because it seems to her that Ariens values the people who work for them.