Hi all! I’m a salaried worker for a Housing Authority (we are not part of the city government, but I qualified for PSLF, so I assume some form of government employee) who works a M-F week from 730A to 4P. I am not paid overtime, I get “comp time” on a 1:1 basis (1 hour worked over, 1 hour comp time). I’m in the state of OK in the US.
We are now being required to work in office on Saturdays for 6 hours to “catch up” on work. This is non negotiable and failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. We are also not allowed to take planned time off or use our comp hours until sometime next year because of these deadlines. But that’s not my biggest issue right now.
I’m Jewish. Saturday is Shabbat. While I do not keep shomer shabbat, I do refrain from things like housework, busy work, and yes — my regular job. I spend the day resting as someone might on a Sunday. I will occasionally attend services at my synagogue on Saturday mornings. Needless to say I’m pretty pissed off that im being required to do this. Everyone else is being allowed their “day of rest” off, but not me. But seeing as we are all only getting a 1 day weekend (which is bullshit on its own considering we aren’t allowed to actually fucking use the time we’re earning), but it still rubs me really wrong. Am I right to be upset by having to work on Shabbat (and not allowed to substitute it for Sunday)? For context, I’m 99% sure I’m the only Jewish person working here.