Q: I am an Orthodox Jewish woman. I am currently working M-F night shift, which forces me to work on Shabbos. Changing schedules at my current paper is not an option, and all management options would require me to work weekends, so I am looking at entry-level management elsewhere.
I am interviewing for a potential position where I (think I) would be working days. I am reluctant to ask about the production schedule, etc. this early in the process, but it's kind of a deal-breaker. I don't want to move if I'll be in the same situation there.
So here's the deal: How do I ask my employer if they will allow me to have off for Shabbos and holidays without making it clear about my religion? I know that's an awkward place for an HR department and I don't want to put them in that position.
P.S.: What's the best way to handle not shaking hands with men on the interview, explaining how I dress, and eating only kosher (that is, not eating on the interview)?
Thanks so much.
Frummie in editing
A: It is so good that you asked this question. I know a reporter in a similar situation.
We have found that it is very helpful to us to schedule her according to her religious needs because she then meets some journalistic needs for us. For example, she works every Sunday and gladly works Christian holidays to have time off for Jewish ones.
It has worked out very well and I hope you find an employer who can work with your needs.
We have staff members with other religion-related scheduling needs and generally find that we have the flexibility to help them balance newspapering and faith.
People of several faiths -- Orthodox Jews, Muslims and Seventh Day Adventists -- have all brought up their personal religious convictions and needs early in the interview process. We have hired all three types of people and are large enough to be able to accommodate their scheduling needs.
If you are concerned that religion could be a barrier, save that news until it comes up in the interview -- they are posting a schedule you can't work -- or the negotiation window that occurs when an offer is made. The ideal would be to wow them with your skills, hook them and then negotiate the time you need to do the job and practice your faith.
As for the other interviewing issues:
- Not shaking hands with men. People in many places are used to having this happen with some Muslim women, but might be surprised that it also is an issue for women who are Orthodox Jews. I "get it" when another person holds his or her right palm against the top of the chest, just beneath the throat and gives a slight bow as they give their greeting. This tells me, "I respect you, I am happy to meet you, but I am not shaking hands with you."
- Dress: This seems to be least problematic. Long sleeves and a long skirt may attract some attention, but seldom will they draw a remark and this mode of dress is certainly not objectionable. It is less discernable than other kinds of religious or ethnic dress.
- At many newspapers, mealtime interviews are part of the drill. A candidate who is an Orthodox Jew arrived here with the names and addresses of a couple restaurants she could eat at and an energy bar in her purse. We took her to some Kosher restaurants closer to the paper and everything went well.
One candidate who is Muslim watched me eat a whole sandwich, with nothing more than an unopened can of soda in front of her. I eventually realized I had asked her to join me for lunch during Ramadan. When she came to the Free Press to interview, also during Ramadan, I prepared everyone to have lunch with a person who wouldn't be eating. But, when she arrived, she told me she would break her day-time fasting for the interview and add a day of fasting later.
Keep journalism at the front of the process; bring up religious issues as warranted or when you get an offer.
