Religious Symbols Must Be Tolerated At Work – Welcome New Guidelines
The outrageous denial of the right to wear a Christian cross at work in Britain is to come to an end under new guidelines.
Equalities minister Victoria Atkins is rounding on religious intolerance as long as symbols do not interfere with the ability to do the job.
Five years ago Christian check-in clerk Nadia Eweida won her case against British Airways after it told her to hide her white gold cross.
Ms Atkins said that the Government would not tolerate intolerance.
She said: “Discrimination in the workplace is not only completely unacceptable but also against the law. We will not stand for it.
“We live in an integrated and cohesive society with a proud tradition of religious tolerance and I want to see that reflected in workplaces across the country.
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with someone’s work they should just be allowed to get on with the job.”
Firms will be told they must be flexible with an understanding of religious beliefs.
This is of course a very welcome development for Christians, who have long bee second class citizens in the liberal UK.
The ruling will, of course, also apply to the rights of Muslims, but since major organisations such as the police, NHS and Armed Forces were already keen to accommodate them, in practice it will be Christians who benefit the most.
The rules will state: “Employers should be flexible and not set dress codes which prohibit religious symbols that do not interfere with an employee’s work.”
The Church of England “welcomed this sensible decision”.
It added: “Christians who wish to show their faith by wearing a cross should be free to do so. Freedom of expression continues to be an important British value.”
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