A woman prevented from wearing a crucifix while working for British Airways (BA) has lost her attempt to have the decision overturned.
Nadia Eweida, who has worked as a check-in worker at the airline for seven years, had filed a complaint after she was suspended for refusing to remove the crucifix while at work last month.
Eweida claims the suspension is discriminatory, especially since the airline allows Sikh employees to wear traditional iron bangles and Muslim workers are permitted to wear head scarves.
But BA has rejected this claim, arguing that staff are permitted to wear the cross so long as they do so underneath their uniform.
“The policy recognises that it is not practical for some religious symbols – such as turbans and hijabs – to be worn underneath the uniform. This is purely a question of practicality. There is no discrimination between faiths whatsoever,” BA said in a statement.
Eweida has rejected an offer to work for the airline in a non-uniformed post and plans on undergoing a second appeal as part of the company’s disciplinary procedures.
