Reference no: EM132801208

You are setting up activities in the lounge room when you overhear some of the other therapists and volunteers in the dining room having a heated discussion. They are meant to be preparing the room for breakfast time. The workplace is quite diverse in both employees and clients.

You walk past to see what the issue is. There is an Aboriginal therapist in the team (Barry), a Muslim worker (Ahmed) who has recently joined and two caucasian Australian workers (Janice and Julia). When you ask Ahmed what happened you get told by Barry that Ahmed has accused him of being lazy and rude. Ahmed says 'Barry rarely helps up when he knows we're all busy. He doesn't bother to offer anyone for assistance unless he needs something for himself done. And he doesn't even look me in the eye when he talks to me!'
Barry retaliates by accusing Ahmed of disappearing during the day to apparently take the time to 'pray on his stupid prayer mat. I mean, how much time a day do you need to spend praying?'

Janice turns to Julie and mutters under her breath 'For God's sake, why can't they just be normal like the rest of us? You don't see us arguing over these things. I mean really, how do they even find the time!'

Ahmed overhears Janice and Julia snickering and accuses them of 'having no culture of their own'.

Their conflict is building and some of the clients have started to take a seat for their breakfast.

Imagine Barry complains to management about the time Ahmed takes to pray. Ahmed puts forth a suggestion that his prayer time is taken as break times, and he still works a full day - just a longer one than his colleagues. Management refuses the suggestion as if he gets special treatment, everyone will want special treatment.

A) What further issue has now occurred in this workplace?

Now let's imagine Ahmed's suggestion is successful. However, Barry continues to complain and encourages others to make fun of Ahmed during his time of prayer. Julie is very uncomfortable about what is happening.

B) As an employee, what is Julie's responsibility in this situation?

C) Review the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What Article/s are being breached in this scenario?