British Airways: hide your cross
Check in your cross if you work for British Airways. A BA worker has just which challenged BA's policy prohibiting staff from wearing religious symbols "openly". Nadia Eweida, an evangelical Christian from Twickenham, was told by BA bosses that she cannot wear a cross necklace at check-ins. The company's appeal board confirmed that decision this morning. Ms Eweida may initiate a further appeal, and there are legal options open to her. BA says they are not banning crosses; its uniform policy requires that crosses, or other religious symbols, must not be visible.
This debate isn't going to go away soon. Some will ask: what about a Union Jack badge on a lapel? It's made up of the crosses of St Patrick, St George and St Andrew. Will that be banned next? Or a religious symbol on a wedding ring? Is this the best way to deal with the UK's increasing religious and ethnic diversity?
And what about consistency? Apparently, religious headscarves are permitted to be worn by Muslim and Sikh staff. I can see one obvious difference between a turbin and a cross -- one cannot be concealed. It's also the case that some Sikhs feel obliged by their personal faith to wear a turbin, whereas Christianity makes no such requirement.
Does BA have a point?
Comments
I think people should wear what they feel like during that day.
British Airways may have sensed that a proportion of its customers would switch to another airline if some of its staff openly wore a cross. These are not exactly flourishng times for air travel.
I wonder how many of the champions of freedom who were horrified by the earlier discussion on banning burquas will also show equal horror at this move by BA???
What will this void tell us?
At the risk of repeating myself William, one observation is that the bible does not require anyone to wear a cross, but neither does the Koran require women to wear veils.
PB
I wonder how many of the people who were horrified by the earlier discussion on banning burquas will also show equal horror at this move by BA???
At the risk of repeating myself William, one observation is that the bible does not require anyone to wear a cross, but neither does the Koran require women to wear veils.
PB
ps interesting point you make about the union flag on a lapel badge William...
isnt BA's own logo based upon the red white and blue crosses from the union flag?
PB
pb ...
you're right on the koran, but what about the Sikh requirement to wear a turbin or the jewish requirement on men to wear a yamaka?
PB...allow me...as someone who complained about the burka ban let me say that this sort of move is just as despicable...
Void filled.
SG
Nadia Eweida’s life’s as a Christian should be a big enough example and witness to those she meets and greets everyday in her employment.
A sermon on feet.
How she treats her customers that is her witness, without turning a piece of man made jewellery into a religious symbol used for false martyrdom to satisfy her self righteous religious ego.
W.W.J.D.
After all her right to wear the cross is not being denied.
From the earliest Christian writings, the biggest controversy was the physical sign of belonging to the people of God--circumcision(don't try displaying that one)--as opposed to an inner step of faith demonstrated by a transformed life, filled with the Spirit of God. It seems to me that the wearing of a cross is totally unnecessary to being a Christian, and is often displayed in order to make a point (though I don't want to say that in this particular case), in which case it seems to miss the whole point. The abundant life that Jesus offers should be what is on display.
Stephen G- I disagree!
BA is not informing its employees that they can't wear crosses or anything else when they're off duty on their own time; they are merely enforcing a company dress code on-the-clock which they are entirely free to do.
This is not a country informing the citizens within its borders that they shall henceforth not be allowed to wear certain things - that's a blatant breach of rights. It is a company which the individual is entirely free to leave at any time if they do not like the terms.
A lawsuit? Give me a break. What else should I be able to sue my employer over? Not enough selection at the company snack shop? Not happy with the amount of time allowed on personal emails? I'm sorry that the lady doesn't like the rule: it's not her company, and if she owned the company SHE could decide the dress policy. Until then, she should put up or shut up.
John - don't assume that companies have the legal right to do anything thing they like with employees. This case will go to the courts. This lady has a human rights challenge. She is being treated unfairly, since people of other faiths are allowed to wear symbols.
Steven G
the void is not filled, if you read the comments above you are the only person explicityly defending the Christian lady and you are nowhere near as outraged as you were on the Burgqua issue.
Neither is there anywhere near the same number of comments posted.
I agree the cross is incidental from a faith point of view, but the discussion is about consistency from Govt and business.
Willam says BA appear to be allowing religious turbans for staff, but not crosses.
The criticism of PC thinking appears to stand, all faiths are equal in the UK except traditoinal Christianity.
The only Christianity that is acceptable is that which adopts 100% of liberal thinking; but how many such liberals will be fervent active members of such a church once it has so changed? very few I would say.
PB
PS Sam, dont know about Sikh or Jewish requirements.
Jan Green- I'm not assuming that companies can do whatever they like about their own policies; I'm asserting that companies SHOULD be in that position.
John:
I agree with everything you say.
My point was that it was just as despicable. Which it is - even if in a different way. Of course, it's perfectly justifiable for a company to have whatever dress code its owners wish to have, but that doesn't mean that it isn't a despicable move to ban something like a cross, for which BA can rightly be criticised.
Anyhow...gotta run...catch you on IM to discuss further!
SG
What did the B.B.C. say to Newsreader Fiona Bruce about her necklace, is the B.B.C. following the hardline attitude of British Airway's.