Personal choice or daft acceptance?

[Whickerman]

If i was, say, a devotee of the Hare Khrishna movement, and worked at a supermarket checkout, should I be allowed to refuse to serve/checkout meat products because of my beliefs?

While you're thinking about it, have a look at this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/artic le2558198.ece

My personal view is that if a part of a job bothers you, you should apply elsewhere for work. For instance, as a Pagan I would probably be happier not working for a Christian radio station, so i don't.

[1rovert]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but muslims mustn't eat Pork, does this Checkout person refuse to handle sausages when they go through the till. They are wrapped, as the wine is in a bottle, so whats the problem, they are not touching either???

[naomi24]

Ruby, you use the term 'unfairly treated'. Does that mean you consider that a Muslim who takes a job which clearly involves handling things that are forbidden by his/her religion is being treated unfairly if asked to do so? These people must be aware before they fill in their application forms that supermarkets sell things deemed 'untouchable' by Islam, but the applicants don't appear to mention to HR at the initial interview the fact that they object to handling certain items. It only becomes an issue to them once the job is secured, and frankly, I must question their honesty, and moreover, their motive in that.

Additionally, you say that you consider 'PC' to be a 'good thing'. Is that across the board?

[sambro]

A very thought provoking, interesting question.
One wonders were all this political correctness will lead.
Already it is making people paranoid. it is difficult to have a conversation with anyone these days without looking over your shoulder, especially at work. Political correctness has killed free speech. Even on these forums you can get thrown off for being racist, sexist, xenophobic, etc. It is almost impossible to have a debate, You have to do so much self editing to make sure you are not offending someone, somewhere, somehow.

[naomi24]

sambro, I couldn't agree more. Well said.

[jake-the-peg]

The pathological obsession is not with political correctness but with desperately hunting around to find examples that can be held up as political correctness.

A desperate attempt to justify a persecution complex.

We have a small piece of everyday employee relations and it's in all the news and generating a huge thread here and the only reason is because it involves a moslem.

This is one guy in a supermarket not an attempt to overthrow the nation

[naomi24]

Jake, I don't think anyone is suggesting that this is a desperate attempt to overthrow the nation - and yes, the person in question is Muslim, just as the woman teacher who made a big thing of wanting to wear her veil in class was, despite the fact she didn't wear it when she was interviewed for the job. The point here is why take the job if you know before you start that some aspects of it will not suit you? As Whicker says, he's Pagan and therefore wouldn't want to work for a Christian company.

[ruby27]

naomi24
No I was referring to the workers who manage the sale of alcohol if/when their colleague has been given permission not to handle it.

If I got a job with any supermarket and they were prepared to accomodate my desire not to handle any meat or fish products, I would jump at the chance. I would have a job that paid me and let me do it the way I wanted and we vegetarians would soon take over the country

[Supernick]

Why did that Christian woman take that job at BA knowing that she wouldn't be able to wear religious adornments and then moan? I'm fed up with all of this hysterical PC nonsense that allows these 'Christians' to get so much media attention for this kind of rubbish.

[sambro]

IMHO I do think we have lost the plot as far as political correctness is concerned . It is a good thing, and used sensibly it works. But as with every other initiative it is open to abuse, exploitation etc. Of course it can be used by people who hold radical or extremist views as ammunition for their particular cause. But I have to say that I think it is peoples perception of what is not politically correct that is the problem. and because of this will make sometimes ridiculous decisions for example banning nativity plays, calling Christmas The Festive Season , in case it offends someone who is not Christian. Who thinks up these things???? Muslims, Hindus, Pakistans are not offended by our traditions. I have Muslim and Hindu friends at work that send me Christmas cards and join in the parties and the none religious side of Christmas. We have become so paranoid about it. Employers are paranoid about it. I work for a local authority, and a couple of years ago were told that if we overheard even a private conversation involving our colleagues, that contained any offensive racist,sexist etc. remarks we had to report it! is it any wonder that people are resentful, always looking over their shoulders?
This does people from different cultural backgrounds no favours, in fact it does the opposite. Hence all the anti- muslim comments. The Muslims have not taken our right to free speech away. Blame the government.

By the way, I hope I have not offended anyone in this post .
I checked through it and I think it is ok.