American meatpacking plant fires Muslim workers for unauthorized prayer breaks

A dispute between Muslim workers and a Nebraskan meat packing plant regarding employee breaks has recently made national and international news headlines.

The JBS Swift plant is in hot water after the termination of what is reported to be around 100 workers who took unauthorized breaks from work for their Ramadan prayers. The plants decision to terminate the employees has news message boards across North America abuzz, reigniting the debate regarding the accommodation of religious practices in the workplace.

The workers and management were to mediate their issues on Sunday (September 21st) however, no results of the meeting have been made pubic yet.

Workers in Ontario have the option of filing a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.  Click here for the Tribunal's website. 

Daniel A. Lublin is a Toronto Employment Lawyer specializing in the law of wrongful dismissal.  He can be reached at dan@toronto-employmentlawyer.com or visit www.toronto-employmentlawyer.com