Wisconsin manufacturer changes prayer-on-the-job policy, Muslims say they're out of a job

BRILLION — Dozens of Muslim employees at a Wisconsin manufacturer say they are now out of a job after Ariens Company changed its prayer-on-the-job policy.

The Brillion-based company changed the policy Thursday, January 14th. Until then, Muslim employees were allowed to leave the production line twice a shift to pray.

But Ariens is now asking employees to pray during scheduled breaks. A company representative tells WBAY-TV (http://bit.ly/1OnNcfJ ) the "manufacturing environment does not allow for unscheduled breaks in production."

The policy change affects 53 workers. Ten of those employees have indicated they wish to stay in their current positions under the new policy.

On Saturday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations called on Ariens to allow Muslim workers to pray at work using the previous policy until the dispute is resolved.

Ariens' products include snow blowers and lawn mowers.