4
Food
Jews are required to eat only Kosher food. The laws governing production of Kosher food are
complex, and involve (but are not limited to) restrictions on what types of meat and sh can
be eaten, which combinations of foods may be eaten together, and how foods are prepared.
Jews who observe the dietary laws may require all food to be prepared under supervision in
order to be satised that no prohibited ingredients have been used, and consequently may
refuse even foods labelled ‘vegetarian’. They may also wish to store and heat food separately
from food that is not Kosher. There are several companies that will provide Kosher food for a
special event if it is ordered in advance, if this is necessary. As detailed above, there are many
dierent levels of religious observance, and some Jews may eat vegetarian or vegan foods.
The employee’s individual requirements should be discussed with them on a personal basis.
None of this need conict with any reasonable requirements of an employer. A prudent Jewish
employee will check in advance of any business lunches, dinners or other such occasions
whether arrangements can be made in order to accommodate her/his religious needs. Please
note that caterers without Kosher supervision will not be able to make their own ‘Kosher’ foods.
‘Kosher-style’ foods made without proper Kosher supervision will not be Kosher, and Halal food
cannot be substituted for Kosher food as some of the rules are dierent.
Prayer
Observant Jews pray three times a day, in the morning (usually before normal working hours),
in the afternoon (often during lunchtime, or early evening in the summer months), and in
the evening (after nightfall). An employer is not obligated to oer a quiet room for use by
employees, but designating a room for prayer is an example of good practice. If an employee
requests access to a quiet place for prayer in the working day, the employer may be acting in a
discriminatory way if this request is refused when there is a room available and the request will not
disrupt other employees. Prayer can take place during an employee’s contracted lunch break, but
there may not be any obligation for employers to release sta outside of their normal rest breaks.
It is not clear cut about taking additional breaks and, if for example, other employees are allowed
smoking breaks, a refusal for a 10 minute break at work could amount of direct discrimination
because of religion or belief. Employees may therefore be asked to make up the time.
Some individuals, in particular observant men, may wish to attend prayers with a quorum (ten
adult men according to the Orthodox tradition). This is especially true if the individual is in a
period of mourning (see ‘Bereavement’, below), where specic mourner’s prayers can only be
recited when praying with a quorum. In practice this may mean that they attend a synagogue
in the morning and evening, before and after the working day, and if a quorum is running in the
area, they may go out to services around lunchtime. If an employee is not working standard
working hours, then the timings of the other services may need to be taken into consideration.
THE EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO JUDAISM