Employee Suspended For Wearing Christian Symbol

When Nadia Eweida refused to remove a necklace bearing a small crucifix, her employer, British Airways (BA), sent her home for two weeks without pay.

The airline's dress code prohibits visible jewelry or other "adornments" while on duty without permission from management.

Eweida, a check-in worker at London's Heathrow, says she is suing BA because other employees are allowed to wear clothing and adornments intended to express their faith.

She told the London Evening Standard she was particularly surprised since she and other employees just completed mandatory diversity training including advice on dealing with gays and lesbians in the workplace.

BA's diversity rules permit Sikh employees to wear the traditional bangle, a sort of religious jewelry, and Muslims to pray during work time. Additionally, Muslims and Hindus may wear traditional head wear such as hijabs and turbans.

Eweida said, "I will not hide my belief in the Lord Jesus. British Airways permits Muslims to wear a headscarf, Sikhs to wear a turban and other faiths religious apparel. Only Christians are forbidden to express their faith. I am a loyal and conscientious employee of British Airways, but I stand up for the rights of all citizens."

Up until now, Eweida had an unblemished 7-year record with British Airways. Management denied her earlier request to wear the cross while on duty. She was told she must remove it, or cover it with a company cravat.

In a letter to Eweida's lawyer, BA chief executive Willie Walsh says Eweida has not been disciplined, only sent home for refusing to comply with a reasonable request. He added, "We have previously made changes to our uniform policy to accommodate requests, after a detailed evaluation process including Health and Safety assessment to incorporate the wearing of Sikh bangles."

The case is currently pending in a UK court.

FMI: www.britishairways.com