34 Muslim employees for Hertz have been suspended over a dispute over the use of paid breaks for prayer.
In a statement sent to The Times, a Hertz spokesperson wrote: "While the employees, all Muslims, were using the breaks for prayers, the breaks were typically extended long beyond the time necessary to complete religious obligations, which is why the company, to be fair to all of its employees in Seattle, implemented the clocking requirement."
The company said employees were warned in person and in writing that if they did not comply with the clocking rules, they would be suspended.
But Tracey A. Thompson, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 117 Union (which is representing the workers), said in a statement: “This is an outrageous assault on the rights of these workers and appears to be discriminatory based on their religious beliefs.”
The Teamsters argue the move by Hertz represents an unannounced shift in policy that violates both religious discrimination laws and their current employment agreement with the company.
