Every so often someone complains s/he can’t follow a particular superstition because of the demands of work. British Airways seems to have copped for it twice recently.

There was the case of Nadia Eweida, and her wish to wear a cross or crucifix (read about that here). BA backed down.

Now a Jewish man is claiming – according to Britain’s Daily Telegraph – a similar restriction: they won’t let him have Saturday off to pursue his religion:

Daniel Rosenthal, a customer service agent at Heathrow, refused to work after BA told him that he could no longer have the day off.

The London Beth Din, the court of the Chief Rabbi, sent Mr Rosenthal a letter, which read: “We find it extraordinary that your employers are not prepared to respect your wish to continue observing our religion.”

Even George Carey, the former Archwizard of Cant, has weighed in, saying he’s “very sad”.

Meanwhile, a BA spokesman says, “If he chooses to stay in this job he will sometimes have to work on Saturdays. But in the meantime we have offered to sit down with him again and find another job.”

It’s not as if they were not being flexible, not that they need to be. If people sign up for work that could involve weekend duties, they accept that and get on with it.

There are many Christians who have to work Sundays, and presumably get on with their observances – those who can be bothered or even know much about their religion – at times to suit.

There are also many Jews, one assumes, who are not so hidebound about their superstition that they refuse to work on a Saturday, but still manage to observe some prayers.