You are almost certainly aware of the case last year where a Christian woman was reinstated to her job after being sacked for wearing a crucifix. Presumably you were critical of her for asking for help from her church, even though it was her trade union that got her her job back? Were you maybe demanding that she conform and that it was right to sack her?
Perhaps not. Perhaps you were one of those who vociferously asserted her right to express her religion. The same, however, applies in this case.
Her union, (and mine) the GMB, got her her job back. It is you who can't see past her religion to a human being and frankly I'm not surprised since you strike me as being a far right extremist with all the normal humanity hating baggage that goes with it..
. 'GMB member, Amrit Lalji, employed by Eurest UK in British Airways VIP lounge in Heathrow's Terminal 1 (arrivals) was sacked for refusing to remove a nose pin that she has worn since the day she started work. She has worked there since 3rd March 2006.
BA's lounge manager David Goodchild complained to Amrit's employer Eurest UKabout the nose pin in June 2007, Eurest UKasked her to remove it and suspended her without pay when she refused. She had refused to remove the pin on a previous occasion and Eurest UKtook no action against her. GMB forced the company to pay her during her suspension and represent her at her Grievance Hearing and Appeal against her suspension which were both lost.
She was dismissed, on Thursday's (13th September 2007) at a Disciplinary Hearing where Amrit was charged with refusing to obey a reasonable management instruction i.e. to remove the pin.
The lounge where Amrit works is run and managed by Eurest UKunder contract as a VIP arrivals lounge for BA and other airline passengers. Amrit wears a Eurest UK uniform and is covered by their dress code. Forty year old Amrit lives in Stanmore with her husband and three children.
Tahir Bhatti, GMB Organiser said, "At the appeal hearing GMB want to see the company following the advice that they have been given by the Mayor of London and we want to secure the reinstatement of Amrit Lalji without any loss of pay. Common sense and fairness to all religions should prevail and Amrit should be allowed to return to work. GMB still want British Airways to step in to secure Amrit Lalji's immediate reinstatement, without any loss of pay.
British Airways have the experience after the crucifix dispute to resolve dress code issues relating to religion. Eurest UKhave always known that Amrit Lalji would not remove the nose pin. Her employer knew that she considered the pin to be required by her religion and she had every reason to believe that that had been accepted.
After Mr Goodchild from British Airways complained, by which time Amrit had worked in the lounge for 16 months, the company started proceedings which have led to her dismissal. So the complaint has now led to her losing her job. This is not a fair way to proceed and must be reversed and dress codes introduced which deal with all religious matters.
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