This post is a rant/seeking advice on what to do. As my title says, my manager refused to let me take my break at 7:30pm so I could break my fast (7:43pm). I explained to her that it was Ramadan and I am fasting and needed to break my fast at sundown. Her response was: “take your break before 7:30pm and then nibble here and there later. It is what it is.” Shocked, I asked her why I just couldn't take my break at 7:30pm since I have in the past. Her reply was: “We might have a call in and I need everyone on the floor.” This is obviously a lie because all employees have to call in at least 2 hours before their shift and even then the next shift starts at 7. On top of that we've had plenty of nurses and techs float to my department when we were low which were not short-staffed today.
I work in an Urgent care clinic in a relatively big town in the southern midwest. We're basically a mini ER but without all the fancy medical machinery. With that being said, it's always fairly busy and I know for a fact I will not have time to 'nibble'. I've already talked to HR and asked them if they have any procedure in place for breaking fast and they don't. I know I'm not the only Muslim employee yet they have nothing in place for an employee needing to break fast or even pray. HR said they would talk to the director and see if I can get a special excuse or something. I've decided to take 2 breaks and have my manager suck it, but this is not the first time this has happened. I am now thinking about taking legal action. I'm open to all suggestions.