We've already discussed similar matters on this forum. The first and most important rule - food safety, nothing more. If this upsets an employee, this person always has an option to find another job allowing them to wear whatever they want without compromising their religious feelings.
This has NEVER been challenged in Canada so that remains to be seen
The charter of rights and freedoms would protect them in most cases---just think of the push back Quebec has received of late with the removal of religious symbols for public sector employees? That did not go to plan
Analytical framework
The Supreme Court has adopted the following test for determining whether there has been an infringement of section 2(a) (Hutterian Brethren, supra at paragraph 32; Amselem, supra at paragraphs 56-57; Multani, supra at paragraph 34; Law Society of British Columbia v. Trinity Western University, supra at paragraph 63):
An infringement of section 2(a) of the Charter will be made out where:
- the claimant sincerely believes in a belief or practice that has a nexus with religion; and
- the impugned measure interferes with the claimant’s ability to act in accordance with his or her religious beliefs in a manner that is more than trivial or insubstantial.
The underlined section is what would be the legal case here
Many very large corporations in Canada have added prayer rooms etc to provide practicing employees space to pray while at work----it would be very difficult for a supreme court to side with the employer when concessions have already been made
I agree that food safety is paramount FOR US, but other employees may feel very differently
Edited by Scampi, 15 June 2022 - 01:41 PM.