British woman loses her right to accessorize
Filed under: Accessories, Fashion, News, Best of the Season
Controversies over the display of religious symbols have been cropping up all over Europe. In France, legislators have passed bans on headscarves in certain social contexts. In the UK, a recent court case determined that Nadia Eweida should not be allowed to wear a cross necklace while on the job at Heathrow Airport in London. Eweida has been on unpaid leave since her bosses informed her that she would no longer be allowed to visibly display her cross necklace. British Airways has denied that they do not allow employees to wear crosses. Rather, the company suggests that the uniform policy prohibits employees from displaying signs of religious devotion. Items such as a cross necklaces are allowed provided that they were concealed under uniforms.
In a public statement, BA argued that its uniform "policy does not ban staff from wearing a cross. It lays down that personal items of jewelery, including crosses may be worn - but underneath the uniform. Other airlines have the same policy. The policy recognizes that it is not practical for some religious symbols - such as turbans and hijabs - to be worn underneath the uniform. This is purely a question of practicality. There is no discrimination between faiths." BA offered Eweida another non-uniformed post that would enable her to openly display her cross necklace. Eweida, however, declined to take the new position and will instead appeal the court decision once again.
So what do you think? Should employers be able to regulate displays of religious devotion in the workplace?