Ariens Fires 7 Muslim Employees Over Prayer Schedule Dispute

The Ariens Co. in Brillion says it has fired seven Muslim employees for continuing to take unscheduled prayer breaks. In response, a civil rights group says it may sue the firm.

Ariens, which makes snowblowers and lawnmowers, has been trying to get its 53 Muslim employees to adapt to a new company policy that limits prayer breaks to scheduled times. But according to the firm, seven of them have been fired for leaving their workstations to pray at other times.

Ariens declined a request for an interview. But Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations questioned a company statement that says the firm respects the workers’ faith.

“They respect the workers all the way out the door apparently,” said Hooper. “You don’t respect people very much if you terminate them.”

Hooper said his group will consider all legal options.

The Ariens Co. said 14 other Muslim employees have resigned, while 32 plan to stay on and work within the break-time policy.