I would like to differ with the opinion of Mr. Vineet Raj. Strictness or rigidity in HR policies can prove to be anti-productivity. It may not be treated as religion in office, rather cultural diversity in an organisation, which the HR has necessarily to manage with tact and skill. Some facilities have to be necessarily to be provided to the staff of different culture, religion, sect. so that their emotions or sentiments are not hurt, rather they should feel obliged to the management for such extended facilities to encourage them to be more productive and loyal to the organization and management.
If you compare cultural diversity of India with some Gulf countries, you would be astonished to know that India does not have that quantum of diversity, as the Gulf countries have. For example, Qatar, a small Gulf country, has more than 80% of it population constituted by expatriates, while only 20% are the natives of Qatar. They all come from different ethnic, cultural, national, religious and political backgrounds. So, not only companies/ corporations, but also Government offices consist of a huge cultural and religious diversity in their official system.
Contrarily, the most of the employees in Indian organizations consist of the natives of India, may he be Hindu, Muslims or Christians. So, if that country can manage well and extend facilities to the religious sects to perform their rites, why Indian organisations cannot? In fact, in official system, we should not give any religious colour, rather treat cultures. Giving religious cover does not ensure impartiality towards a particular sect. That some times prove to be a source of conflict between different sects causing to bring dirty politics in offices.
In terms of managing human resources, a management expert, Senyucel (2009) states:
"People are very complex creatures. Not a single person thinks, feels, sees, hears, tastes, understands and behaves the same way. We all come from different ethnic, cultural, national, religious and political backgrounds. This makes each and every one of us unique with different set of morals, beliefs and values" (Senyucel, 2009, p.7).
Thus, diversity has great impact on our lives, priorities and workplaces. If you respect and manage diversity with due respect, the employees of those sects would respect you.
I don't think any office does not consist of any vacant space to facilitate namaz to the Muslims. Even some employees try to do namaz while sitting near their own seating arrangement. That is just for a few minutes job for them, not creating any hurdle in any body's official performance. .