Cross ban woman to take action

anna_hun · 10-14-2006, 08:06 PM

Cross ban woman to take action

By ONLINE REPORTER
October 14, 2006

A COMMITTED Christian said today she planned to take legal action against her employers British Airways after the airline ruled that displaying her crucifix breached uniform rules.

Heathrow check-in worker Nadia Eweida claims she was effectively "forced" to take unpaid leave after refusing to remove the Christian symbol, which is about the size of a five pence piece.

Meanwhile, the airline said that items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles could be worn "as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms".

Miss Eweida, 55, who has been with BA for seven years, plans to sue her employer - who she considered to be "a very reputable company" - for religious discrimination.

She said she had just undergone training on respecting and understanding other people's beliefs with BA when she was asked to remove the cross.

She said she sought permission to wear it from management, but this was not forthcoming.

Following a meeting with her managers in September, she was told in a letter: "You have been sent home because you have failed to comply with a reasonable request.

"You were asked to cover up or remove your cross and chain which you refused to do.

"British Airways uniform standards stipulate that adornments of any kind are not to be worn with the uniform."

Miss Eweida, from Twickenham, West London, said she wears the cross because of her deeply-held religious beliefs.

She said: "I belong to Jesus - one body, one spirit, one baptism."

Miss Eweida is from an Egyptian background and attends Pentecostal as well as Arabic churches.

She said she has been wearing the cross "on and off" for the time she has worked at BA.

"I was forced to take unpaid leave because I have refused to remove my cross or put it under my cravat," she said.

"A cross is a cross, when you explain the reason is your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the end of it.

"Muslims wear their hijabs and all the bishops wear very big crosses."

A BA spokeswoman emphasised today that Miss Eweida has not been suspended from work, but chose to take unpaid leave.

She said the rules applied to jewellery in general and were not specific to the cross.

She said the matter remained under investigation and an appeal was due to be heard next week, but she could not confirm exactly when.

She added: "British Airways does recognise that uniformed employees may wish to wear jewellery including religious symbols.

"Our uniform policy states that these items can be worn, underneath the uniform. There is no ban.

"This rule applies for all jewellery and religious symbols on chains and is not specific to the Christian cross.

"Other items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles can be worn as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms."

Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has backed Miss Eweida, who is one of his constituents.

Mr Cable said she approached him around a month ago - but the airline's response to the issue had been "bureaucratic nonsense".

He wrote to BA chief executive Willie Walsh, believing the matter could be resolved.

The MP received "quite a forceful reply".

He said the airline had behaved "quite appallingly", saying of Miss Eweida: "She feels very strongly because she’s a very committed Christian.

"She did initially deal with it in a very moderate way."

He said of the crucifix: "It is very modest. It is not something you would notice.

"She was not trying to be provocative at all and she was going through the proper channels."

Exceptions were "quite rightly" made for other religions, he said, adding that modest displays of faith were "entirely legitimate".

He said: "I think she probably has no choice but to go to law."

He said of BA: "They are just being very bureaucratic and very inflexible.

"For a commercial business this is not good enough."

furby · 10-15-2006, 02:32 AM

That's the 'Brits' problem...but as soon as they're in the US airspace, I would dislpay my Cross & tell them to "shove it!"

Being PC nowdays, especially if your American, GETS YOU KILLED!!!!!.....and I'll be damed if I'll have any "P.C." Preacher tell me how to protect me & my family/friends!!!

"MUSLIMS", IN GENERAL, ARE FREEKING VIOLENT NUT-CASES"...and I have NO problem saying so!

Peace~

10-14-2006, 08:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
anna_hun Jokaroo VIP Status Join Date: May 2004 Location: In my own world, but its ok, they know me here! Posts: 50,744 Rep Power: 5326	Cross ban woman to take action Cross ban woman to take action By ONLINE REPORTER October 14, 2006 A COMMITTED Christian said today she planned to take legal action against her employers British Airways after the airline ruled that displaying her crucifix breached uniform rules. Heathrow check-in worker Nadia Eweida claims she was effectively "forced" to take unpaid leave after refusing to remove the Christian symbol, which is about the size of a five pence piece. Meanwhile, the airline said that items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles could be worn "as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms". Miss Eweida, 55, who has been with BA for seven years, plans to sue her employer - who she considered to be "a very reputable company" - for religious discrimination. She said she had just undergone training on respecting and understanding other people's beliefs with BA when she was asked to remove the cross. She said she sought permission to wear it from management, but this was not forthcoming. Following a meeting with her managers in September, she was told in a letter: "You have been sent home because you have failed to comply with a reasonable request. "You were asked to cover up or remove your cross and chain which you refused to do. "British Airways uniform standards stipulate that adornments of any kind are not to be worn with the uniform." Miss Eweida, from Twickenham, West London, said she wears the cross because of her deeply-held religious beliefs. She said: "I belong to Jesus - one body, one spirit, one baptism." Miss Eweida is from an Egyptian background and attends Pentecostal as well as Arabic churches. She said she has been wearing the cross "on and off" for the time she has worked at BA. "I was forced to take unpaid leave because I have refused to remove my cross or put it under my cravat," she said. "A cross is a cross, when you explain the reason is your belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the end of it. "Muslims wear their hijabs and all the bishops wear very big crosses." A BA spokeswoman emphasised today that Miss Eweida has not been suspended from work, but chose to take unpaid leave. She said the rules applied to jewellery in general and were not specific to the cross. She said the matter remained under investigation and an appeal was due to be heard next week, but she could not confirm exactly when. She added: "British Airways does recognise that uniformed employees may wish to wear jewellery including religious symbols. "Our uniform policy states that these items can be worn, underneath the uniform. There is no ban. "This rule applies for all jewellery and religious symbols on chains and is not specific to the Christian cross. "Other items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles can be worn as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms." Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has backed Miss Eweida, who is one of his constituents. Mr Cable said she approached him around a month ago - but the airline's response to the issue had been "bureaucratic nonsense". He wrote to BA chief executive Willie Walsh, believing the matter could be resolved. The MP received "quite a forceful reply". He said the airline had behaved "quite appallingly", saying of Miss Eweida: "She feels very strongly because she’s a very committed Christian. "She did initially deal with it in a very moderate way." He said of the crucifix: "It is very modest. It is not something you would notice. "She was not trying to be provocative at all and she was going through the proper channels." Exceptions were "quite rightly" made for other religions, he said, adding that modest displays of faith were "entirely legitimate". He said: "I think she probably has no choice but to go to law." He said of BA: "They are just being very bureaucratic and very inflexible. "For a commercial business this is not good enough." __________________ öööööööööööööööööööööööööö

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10-15-2006, 02:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
furby Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	That's the 'Brits' problem...but as soon as they're in the US airspace, I would dislpay my Cross & tell them to "shove it!" Being PC nowdays, especially if your American, GETS YOU KILLED!!!!!.....and I'll be damed if I'll have any "P.C." Preacher tell me how to protect me & my family/friends!!! "MUSLIMS", IN GENERAL, ARE FREEKING VIOLENT NUT-CASES"...and I have NO problem saying so! Peace~