Ariens Co. Hit With Religious Discrimination Complaint

A national Muslim advocacy group has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Wisconsin’s Ariens Company, alleging the the the Brillion-based manufacturer discriminated against at least 15 Muslim workers on the basis of the religion, national origin, and race.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations submitted the complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday.

“The dispute results from Ariens’ complete refusal to engage in discussion regarding its religious accommodation policies with these former employees,” said Maha Sayed, a CAIR attorney.

She said the 15 lost their jobs when the company stopped allowing them to take unscheduled breaks for prayer. The policy was enforced beginning January 25.

Sayed said the situation has affected the workers deeply.

“Many of these individuals are Somali refugees who are new to this country and came to this area of Wisconsin because of the availability of jobs which required little to no language skills, these factory jobs,” Sayed said.

The complaint says Ariens allows unscheduled breaks for non-religious reasons like using the bathroom or smoking.

Ann Stilp, Ariens’ corporate communications manager, released a statement saying, “It is disappointing that a group based in Washington, D.C. is filing an EEOC complaint” against a small-town Wisconsin employer.

Stilp said that Ariens has employed Muslims for the last nine years and that 27 continue to work at the manufacturer.

“We respect their faith and the work they do,” she said in the statement.

The complaint seeks job reinstatement, back pay, and compensatory damages. No dollar amount is specified.

The EEOC will conduct an investigation. In the meantime, the company and CAIR are free to negotiate a settlement.