4on-4off, rostering the religious

[Kanga767]

I'm involved right now in trying to write a roster for a handful of blokes for a 4 on 4 off roster with a seventh day adventist who won't for religious reasons work saturdays.
This has brought up several problems that need dealing with including:-

Accommodating one person's beliefs and morals possibly at the expense of others on the team.

Other team members now asking for the same consideration for their significant weekly events. After all, why shouldn't everyone have the same conditions applied to their sets of morals and beliefs, which is basically what any religion is about?

Has anyone else had to overcome these issues?
I'd be most appreciative of any feedback.

[rightstuff]

Put him on permanent days looking after the ground equipment.

[spannersatcx]

What does it say in his contract?

[jetfueldrinker]

This is a tricky one. We had an SDA at our place some time ago, but he was on permanent days, though he still had to be home before dark on Fridays, which was difficult in winter. What happened was that any time off that this guy had, he made up for on an hour-for-hour basis, and this seemed to work quite well. But as for having every Saturday off ........

The only way that I can think of is, say a shift of 4 on 3 off with the hours difference being made up in days off or extra days worked to make up the difference. or you could request that he takes leave for every Saturday that he wants off.

I don't know how discrimination laws work in Oz, but here in Blighty, you cannot discriminate against anyone, except smokers! But as an SDA, I doubt very much that he smokes!

The reason that I have posted a reply is that I too have faith in the Almighty, buy I am RC. So as an RC, I can go to church 364 days of the year if I so choose. Now, if I am rostered on for Sunday, I can go to Church any time I like to make up for it. But I have to say that I admire anyone who goes to Church, whatever faith they choose to follow.

Good luck with this one, and if practicle, let us know what happens as it may be of help to someone who reads these pages and finds themselves faced with a similar problem.

[airgeezer]

Give him every saturday off but make him work every sunday instead. could be worse though he could be praying to mecca 5 times a day, though why people pray to bingo halls is beyond me.

[Cat1234]

I work a 4 on 4 off roster and as unlikely as it sounds Saturdays and Sundays are sort after work days because the OT rate is much higher then the weekday shift loading. I would not have believed it if this had been suggested to me 1 year ago when we started our shift. Weekdays are better days to have off anyway as everything is open and recreational venues are less crowded, I see the kids after school. So try your SDA on the 4 by 4 shift and let it work itself out. It will only be a problem 4 weeks in 8.

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Curiousity killed it

[Kanga767]

All good information guys and gals! Thank you for your replies.

I wish to mention that I most certainly have respect for people's individual beliefs and subsequential requirements. That must extend to people who might for instance be a Scout leader for the local troop or even simply wish to play Golf on every other Sunday etc.

[Sid and Coke]

Cat1234.you get OT for working W/Ends,Bank hols etc ? Luxury.

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With Ice Please.

[ottiss]

make him take leave. he works on a team and to be a team player he needs to act like a team member. would you set a work schedule around that scout leader?

[Chad Helmuth]

Cat 1234, who do you work for ??
we do not get any different rate than normal at weeek ends.

it would be handy come pay talks to know who does what for a 4on 4off pattern 0700-1900

Thanks all

[Cat1234]

I work for Kendell Airlines in Australia, a large regional operating Metro23, Saab 340 A & B and CRJ 200. A link to our award is below.

http://osiris.gov.au/cgi-bin/download?/data/indrel/data/agreements/1/A3463

Its also a great place to work as an Engineer, I started with then three years ago as a Avionics Engineer and now have my Airframe and Engine Licences with a lot of help from the company. Opportunities are for advancement are plentiful. Look below for jobs.
http://www.kendell.com.au/jobs/jobs.htm


[This message has been edited by Cat1234 (edited 31 March 2001).]

[topman]

give up and sack him for being a pillock!!

[pizza]

I'll swap him and he can do permanent nights.

[Kanga767]

cat1234, I believe most of the lames at our establishment have applied for yours!!!

[prunehead]

I work with a seventh day adventist on the same shift basis, and he has no problem at all working Saruturdays. Perhaps your man is either holier than most or perhaps he is just a pain in the arse.

I too respect peoples religeous tendencies, but don't believe they should let their beliefs conflict with their work, and as such this person should find alternate employment that does not conflict, if the company is unable to accommodate his extra special needs. Having said that, any company who does go to some reasonable effort to accommodate their employees needs would be "a good employer".

[The Invisible Man]

Just a thought....If I belonged to every religeous group in the world and had all the Holy and festival days off. I'd only work one day a year!!!! Mmmmmmm get me the forms!!

[jetfueldrinker]

Topman,

While I respect your right to reply, I feel that your reply is neither useful or necessary. Kanga has asked for advice, or to see if anyone has had similar problems. And I feel that sacking someone on religous grounds is against human rights, even in Aus.

[Kanga767]

Noted with thanks!!