8 replies to this topic

[ChrisO]

I know there have been several threads regarding religious jewelry and clothing, but didn't see anything recent and wanted to see if anyone has recent experience. We have a lot of recent female hires who wear head covering, scarves, etc. for religious reasons. We have ordered disposable head coverings specifically designed to completely cover scarves, etc. Employees are complaining that covering there religious symbols if an infringement on their religious rights. Does anyone else have rules in their GMP policies that address this issue?

[Setanta]

I'd be interested to see them show you where covering a head covering is banned.  You would need to do a risk analysis to see the chances of stay hair being found on their coverings. But I truly suggest searching for religious coverings on this site.

[Scampi]

Our rule of thumb would be: this is the required equipment for employment here. Period. The employee can then choose to fight or not. This fight would not hold up in court if it even made it there....the required work clothing is no different hairnet, workboots etc...if they are mandatory for employment, then it's mandatory for employment.

We had a male employee who wore a headscarf and never argued with it's covering...I made an exception for it to be worn under the hair net......ball caps, skull caps etc are not allowed so the religious headcovering under a hairnet was a deviation 

[Simon]

Is a religious headscarf a religious symbol and that is why they wear it?  I thought its chief purpose was to cover the hair and face for modesty and chastity purposes as mandated by Islam and some countries laws.  It should still be meeting these requirements with a hairnet over it?  If a Christian wanted to wear a crucifix on a necklace they certainly wouldn’t be allowed to wear it outside a protective hygienic garment...if at all.

 

Silly or not there are all sorts of rules that we must comply with and one of them may be wearing a hairnet...just ask a bald food-worker.  If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

[mgourley]

At some point this whole discussion just gets silly. If hairnets are required, they are required. End of discussion. 

If your religious beliefs forbid you from covering a covering, then plainly a career in food production is clearly not for you.

 

Years ago (Cold War era) the United States Navy banned beards, because facial hair would interfere with the seal on the gas mask you would have to wear to presumably save your life in the event of a chemical or biological attack.

People that had beards were understandably upset at the new regulations, but they shaved anyway because they understood that to complain would no good and result in the loss of their job and income.

 

Let me tell you, people that you were used to seeing with beards looked like different people without their facial hair. 

 

Bottom line, my opinion only, If there is push back by some people who do not think they have to follow the rules, those people need to be dismissed.

 

Marshall

[BrummyJim]

I'm with Marshall on this. When PPE is required there's no way out. Even if they offer to have their head coverings laundered by your PPE launderer.

[Ryan M.]

Yes.  As an employer you are expected to make "reasonable" accommodations for certain employees including religious affiliations.  You have done that with providing a specific type of covering for them.  Too bad if it doesn't meet their requirements, that's not for them to decide.  Simply mandate it and be done with it.

 

Of course...consult with your company's legal department or lawyer on this.  What percentage of employees are complaining?

 

Our rule of thumb would be: this is the required equipment for employment here. Period. The employee can then choose to fight or not. This fight would not hold up in court if it even made it there....the required work clothing is no different hairnet, workboots etc...if they are mandatory for employment, then it's mandatory for employment.

We had a male employee who wore a headscarf and never argued with it's covering...I made an exception for it to be worn under the hair net......ball caps, skull caps etc are not allowed so the religious headcovering under a hairnet was a deviation 

[Charles.C]

As per Post 2's suggestion, a search regarding OSHA's involvement might be informative.

[Ryan M.]

In the US that is a requirement for any HAZWOPER certified person.  It is quite true...I can tell you from experience, not fun when the mask you wear for protection does not fully seal.

 

 

At some point this whole discussion just gets silly. If hairnets are required, they are required. End of discussion. 

If your religious beliefs forbid you from covering a covering, then plainly a career in food production is clearly not for you.

 

Years ago (Cold War era) the United States Navy banned beards, because facial hair would interfere with the seal on the gas mask you would have to wear to presumably save your life in the event of a chemical or biological attack.

People that had beards were understandably upset at the new regulations, but they shaved anyway because they understood that to complain would no good and result in the loss of their job and income.

 

Let me tell you, people that you were used to seeing with beards looked like different people without their facial hair. 

 

Bottom line, my opinion only, If there is push back by some people who do not think they have to follow the rules, those people need to be dismissed.

 

Marshall