British Airways cross controversy refers to a public dispute between British Airways and one of their employees over its uniform policy. British Airways (LSE: BAY, NYSE: BAB) is the largest airline of the United Kingdom and the third largest in Europe (behind Air France-KLM and Lufthansa), with more flights from Europe across the Atlantic than any other operator. ...

In October 2006, Nadia Eweida, a Christian employee of British Airways, was asked to cover up a necklace which depicted a Christian cross, and was placed on unpaid leave when she refused either to do so or to accept a position where she did not have to cover it up. Eweida planned to sue the airline for religious discrimination. Christian groups accused British Airways of double standards, as Sikh and Muslim employees are not prevented from wearing religious garments at work, since these are impractical to cover up.^[1] Look up October in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ. ... A necklace is an article of clothing or jewelry; which is worn around the neck. ... The traditional form of the Western Christian cross, known as the Latin cross. ... Religious discrimination is valuing a person or group lower because of their religion, or treating someone differently because of what they do or dont believe. ... A Sikh (IPA: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: ) is an adherent of Sikhism. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish: Müslüman, Persian and Urdu: مسلمان, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of Islam. ...

Eweida lost an initial appeal to her employees on 20th November, but publically stated she would continue to dispute BA's policy, and that she wished to wear the cross to manifest her religion.^[2] Look up November in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Manifest adj: Clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious. ...

The National Secular Society declared it sensible for staff handling baggage to be prohibited from wearing jewellery over their uniforms, suggested that Eweida was trying to evangelise in the workplace^[3] and said that BA should have the right to insist that its uniform is neutral.^[4][5] The National Secular Society is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes secularism. ... Evangelism is the preaching of the Christian Gospel, or by extension any other form of preaching or proselytizing. ...

BA announced a partial climb-down on November 25th, announcing a a review of its uniform policy which could allow the wearing of a lapel badge. This followed pressure from the Archbishop of Canterbury who disclosed that the issue had been raised with the Church Commissioners, who look after Anglicans' financial interests.^[6] The following day Eweida declared that this compromise was unacceptable to her.^[7]

On November 28th, Prime Minister Tony Blair publically stated that in his view the issue was not worth BA fighting.^[8][9] Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the UK Labour Party, and Member of the UK Parliament for the constituency of Sedgefield in North East England. ...

References

1. ^ "Woman to sue BA in necklace row", BBC News, 2006-10-15. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
2. ^ "Woman loses fight to wear cross", BBC News, 2006-11-20. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.
3. ^ "BA Should Not Be Bullied Over Jewellery Ban, Especially by Government Ministers", National Secular Society, 2006-11-22. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
4. ^ "Archbishop attacks BA cross rules", BBC News, 2006-11-21. Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
5. ^ "Editorial: Christian Bullies Press Their Advantage", National Secular Society, 2006-11-26. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
6. ^ "BA's climbdown follows tirade from archbishop", Daily Telegraph, 2006-11-25. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
7. ^ "BA cross women vows no compromise as 92-per cent of public back her", ThisisLondon.co.uk, 2006-11-26. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
8. ^ "Blair chides British Airways for fighting employee over cross", The Guardian, 2006-11-28. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
9. ^ "Blair advises BA to end cross row", BBC News, 2006-11-27. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 21 is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Secular Society is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes secularism. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... November 25 is the 329th (in leap years the 330th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Secular Society is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes secularism. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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