This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

I'm Jewish and need to take Friday afternoons off work in winter to get home before dark and prepare for the Sabbath. At the moment, my boss is happy to let me do this and make up the time during the rest of the week. However, he is thinking of introducing a new shift pattern, which means I will not be able to do this any more. Can he do this?

It is unlawful to discriminate against any worker because of their religion or belief. So, if your employer is introducing a new shift pattern which will be difficult for you because of your religion, it may be that you are the victim of indirect discrimination on religious grounds. Your employer would have to show exactly why it is essential for you to work on Friday afternoons. If he is unable to show that there was no other reasonable way to re-organise your work, his behaviour towards you may count as discrimination on religious grounds.

If you think you have been discriminated against because of your religion, contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission at: www.equalityhumanrights.com. In Northern Ireland, contact the Equality Commission at:www.equalityni.org.

In England, Wales and Scotland, for more information about discrimination because of religion, see Discrimination because of religion or belief, and What can I do if my employer treats me unfairly because of my religion or belief, in Discrimination fact sheets.

Other Frequently asked questions about employment:

• Am I entitled to paid holiday?
• Am I entitled to have the Bank holiday off work?
• Can I have time off work if my partner has a baby?
• Can my employer make me give back overpaid wages?
• Am I entitled to notice before being dismissed?
• Can my employer dismiss me because I am pregnant?
• I think I am being discriminated against at work because I am a woman.  What can I do?
• What can I do if I'm being victimised at work?
• What can I do about race discrimination at work?
• Do disabled people get special protection at work?
• I am being teased about being gay. What can I do?
• Can my employer make me retire at 60?
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• What can I do about stress at work?
• Must I tell employers about my criminal record?