So Sainsbury's, that bastion of western capitalism, has decided that it will allow its Muslim workers to opt out of dealing with alcohol in its stores.
Very commendable. Let's try to accommodate all beliefs and viewpoints within our workforce. If there is someone who has a religious problem with the sale of alcohol then let's help them by letting them get someone else to do that part of their job. So when Muhammad sees a bottle of plonk or a tinny advancing down the conveyor he puts up his hand and another employee scans that through so that he can avoid being involved in selling it. Likewise Abdul can opt out of stacking the shelves in the wine aisles.
All very commendable on the part of Sainsbury's . . . or is it?
Many Muslims have stated that this is not the road to go down. They state that Muslims, like any others, have a duty to fulfil their duties as employees. They have a contract which binds them to act within the law of the land. It is legal to sell booze in this country and it is reasonable within the law to ask employees to assist in the sale of such merchandise. So, if they have issues with selling alcohol, they should not apply to work in such an environment.
If taken to the extreme, this would preclude all Muslims from working in any job in Britain - and, for that matter, anywhere in the world. Women would not be allowed to work anywhere where there were men. No Muslim would be allowed to work for any company which profited from money which has been loaned - most companies rely on shareholders (lenders) to finance their businesses. I could go on . . .
Take as another example Jews. No Jew should work in a supermarket because they might sell pork. Hindus might also have an issue with beef. Buddhists may have problems with meat in general.
There are many other sections of society who could claim that parts of their beliefs would be compromised by working in certain situations.
Isn't it time that common sense prevailed? If you have problems with a certain job, don't apply for it.
Or is it a case of Human Rights rules over all other considerations?
Could it be a case of people claiming religious conscience in order to take advantage of the system? I hope not.
But I still cannot be sure that it is not the total abuse of the system, thus turning the term "human rights" into "what suits me".
I write as a "don't know". I neither believe nor disbelieve in a deity. Is there a God? I don't know!
I have a respect for my fellow man inasmuch as I treat them as I hope they would treat me - with a respect for a way of life and a right to life.
As such where they have issues, I hope I could accommodate them. But I hope they hold the same view on my way of life. If they can't, then we all have a problem.
Belief and conscience have a way of dividing humanity which leads to dispute, argument and - eventually - war.
Let's hope that Muhammad can come to terms with either selling alcohol or changing his employment.
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1 comment:
I'm sort of with you on this. As a vegetarian, I've often thought a good tactic would be to apply for jobs in McDonalds and see what they said when I said I wouldn't touch meat.
I think it comes down to what the central part of the job entails. If you are working on a till, you are committing to handle whatever goes through it. Otherwise, as you say, Catholics won't sell condoms, Buddhists won't sell meat and cult members will sell you anything as long as you pay them enough.
What worries me a lot is that "thin end of the wedge" argument, one I normally steer clear of. But in this case, what if this then comes to not wanting to serve people buying alcohol? What if strong Muslims or Christians won't serve to homosexuals? What if BNP members won't serve Muslims?
That said, I have always reserved the right to opt out of activities at work. I would not, for example, attend a team night at the dogs, cause I disagree with dog racing. What if this was perscribed? Well, it's not what I signed up for. It's not a central part of my job.
If people are stacking shelves, I don't have a problem with them not stocking certain shelves. If people are serving on a till, it becomes more complicated.
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