British Expatriate Network

http//www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=EWU1HJZVEYMFNQFIQMGCFFWAVCBQUIV0?xml=/news/2006/10/14/ucross.xml

It's a bit late and cold for the silly season, but here we go, a ban for a veil, a ban for a crucifix, what next?

Have no problem with crucifixes myself but if BA have a rule about jewellery in general, which they say they do, then the icon on the jewellery is irrelevant.

So far as I can tell, BA are within their rights to ask her to wear it under her cravat. If she does not comply, which she doesn't, then I guess she has to take the consequences.

Do they have other rules which are overridden by religious rights though? Not to turn this on the Muslim community but just using it as an example, are they allowed to wear veils etc?

It's not jewellery so therefore it's another page in the rulebook. I've never seen any BA staff wearing veils although I've seen them and other Heathrow staff wearing turbans. Can't say I've seen any Muslims, Hindhus or Sikhs wearing crescent or equivalent pendants though.

Seems a bit rough to drag other religions into the picture, given all the problems they experience every day in Britain and other countries. A christian is surely still a christian, even if they have to wear a cravat over their necklaces or jewellery? Can't they (we) take the higher ground on this?

She could wear it under her clothes, which is probably what many other BA staff do with necklaces they wish to wear close to the heart. roll I think that it is not unreasonable at all.

Her comment about bishops wearing large crosses was laughably irrelevant.

But it makes an exception for Sikh turbans and Muslim hijabs because they cannot be covered up.

taken from the beebs article here http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6051486.stm

I guess if one set of people can bend the rules, then all should be allowed to. You can't say we should take the higher ground. Before you know it, there'll be no ground left at all. I think this is a reaction, maybe overreaction, to the fact that so many foriegn cultures are excempted, but not their own.

I have worked for BA and clearly any jewelry should be kept to a minimal. Pearl earrings are allowed, wedding rings, but not bracelets and neckless should be kept under shirt, not visible to the public. When you join in BA, they have a training session where everyone learns how to comply with uniform rules. You learn how to keep your hair tidy, makeup, etc. If she cannot do it, she needs to be sacked. Plain and simple.

I am with BA on this one and if they allow veil and other form of religious dress code is up to the company. If they come to change that, then veils and everything else will not be allowed.

The fact that there is no Christian head dress or similar means once more Christians are being asked to limit their beliefs while in BA's case they make no restrictions on turbans, hijabs, kippot, etc.

Interesting timing on the release of the article, just after Jack Straw's comments on the hijabs.

... if I was the BA staff member concerned I would find any loophole in the handbook to wear something that proudly shows I am a Christian.

Why is that important?

Why not just act like a real Christian and show people that way?

“Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength.”

"Love thy neighbor as thyself."

"...feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, enemy and friend alike."

Personally, I think Jesus would much rather Christians followed what he said, instead of childish tantrums over religious icons. As far as I can recall, he wasn't into that sort of thing at all and preferred energy to go into positive actions.

Are Christians so far removed from this in modern day?

Why does she have to show it ?/ wearing it under your clothing its still a symbal of your faith and im sure jesus will understand .

why does anybody have to show you what there belief is by shoving any sort of symbal / or ornament in your face , you can pratice what religion you choose to but keep it to yourself .i think turbans and veils should be removed to .
showing it wont get you a place in heaven anymore then going to church every sunday will .. BUT the life you lead and your respect for other might ...

I don't agree with you on this one. I don't think they have asked her to limit her Christian belief by not wearing the neckless, which is a rule clearly given to everyone that joins BA (I worked at Dulles Airport at sales). I agree with everyone else here. She could be sacked or given a warning and will not be allowed to use it her neckless, it is company policy nothing to argue about. Whether or not they allow all the other things you mention, is up to the company to decide that, and I think to be fair with everyone, they should also ban all forms of religion expression, clothing etc.

Hear, Hear John A. Couldn't agree more. Why the need to display your beliefs? Why the need to put that wee fish symbol on your car, etc, etc? It has puzzled me a lot since moving here, and I think it is far more prevelant than in the UK, for instance. If you know what you are/believe in and are comfortable with it, why do you have to display it for everyone else. What if we went around wearing t-shirts or having stickers on our cars saying "I like my sex before breakfast" or "I believe in picking my nose whilst having a cup of tea"....... To say that you have to parade it for others to see because you are proud of it still puzzles me. I'm moderately proud of lots of things in my life, but don't feel the need to put it on display.

As someone else pointed out, the CA was taken through the company rules when she started and should have done something about it then - left or accepted the rules. Would someone else expect to be allowed to wear pink stripey Doc Martens with their uniform just because their "religion" requires it? The mind boggles.....

She craves attention. Maybe the weather has something to do with it.

Silly girl.

Andrew 0