Marks & Spencers muslim policy

[Scimitar]

Is this right in our complete tolerance of foreign nationals in the workplace that they can dictate what they can do in case it upsets their " beliefs" ?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2527820/Marks-Spencer-tells-Muslim-staff-CAN-refuse-serve-customers-buying-alcohol-pork.html

[Big Dave]

I suspect in practice commonsense will prevail and any Muslims who not do not wish to handle alcohol and pork are put on tills in other departments.

[Scimitar]

I certainly would not like to have to look at the ethnicity of the check out person before joining the queue

[Slacker]

Hasn't there been similar issues with Catholic pharmacists and birth control?

[Big Dave]

Looks like Scimitar can relax, M&S say their policy is to place staff (not just Muslims) in areas of their stores where their religious beliefs won't be offended. Commonsense - as predicted - has prevailed.

[Pete]

If a worker can't/won't do the job, they shouldn't have applied for it in the first place.

[Big Dave]

I've never had any strong religious convictions but others in my family do; a brother in law is a lay preacher and his son (currently at theological college) is married to a bishop's daughter. Neither would work on a Sunday. I respect their decisions even though I may not agree with them, same as I would for someone of any religion - a bit more 'give and take' doesn't do any harm.

[Alsatian]

If a worker can't/won't do the job, they shouldn't have applied for it in the first place.

Hear Hear! If I, as an agnostic, were to refuse to sell a pack of Christmas cards to a customer due to my non-beliefs, would I receive the same treatment..................I think not.

@Big Dave Looks like Scimitar can relax, M&S say their policy is to place staff (not just Muslims) in areas of their stores where their religious beliefs won't be offended. Commonsense - as predicted - has prevailed.

However, no matter what 'your department' is, you will be required to assist in other departments during busy times/staff absence etc. Is it right that someone can 'pick and choose' where they work?

When I worked at M&S (Menswear) I was often asked/instructed to help out in foods, which I rather enjoyed - however when it came to doing date rotation in the chiller cabinets I wasn't so enamoured - but I still did it!

[Big Dave]

It's not a question of picking and choosing, it's a question working within of M&S's conditions of employment which appear to be in line with those of other stores but were not applied in this instance. Had they been applied, no one would have got their knickers in a twist over it and we wouldn't be discussing it.  Goodwill to all men and all that 

[Alsatian]

It's not a question of picking and choosing, it's a question working within of M&S's conditions of employment which appear to be in line with those of other stores but were not applied in this instance. Had they been applied, no one would have got their knickers in a twist over it and we wouldn't be discussing it.  Goodwill to all men and all that 

Now you're condoning sexual discrimination.............what about goodwill to women?!!! 

[Big Dave]

Now you're condoning sexual discrimination.............what about goodwill to women?!!! 

Wouldn't that have to be 'good wilhelmina to all women'?