Islamic hamhandedness in the workplace. (Pun completely intended.)
ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Central Florida woman was fired from her job after eating "unclean" meat and violating a reported company policy that pork and pork products are not permissible on company premises, according to Local 6 News. Lina Morales was hired as an administrative assistant at Rising Star -- a Central Florida telecommunications company with strong Muslim ties, Local 6 News reported. However, 10 months after being hired by Rising Star, religious differences led to her termination. Morales, who is Catholic, was warned about eating pizza with meat the Muslim faith considered "unclean," Local 6 News reported. She was then fired for eating a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, according to the report. "Are you telling me they fired you because you had something with ham on it?" Local 6 News reporter Mike Holfeld asked. "Yes," Morales said. Holfeld asked, "A pizza and a BLT sandwich?" " Yes," Morales said.Unfortunately for Rising Star Communications, the no-pork-on-the-premises policy wasn't written. Usually, I'm a big one for letting a company set up its own corporate culture, and if that includes some sort of religious grounding, so be it. It's their company. As long as they're following the law and informing their employees of the rules and regulations---and the employees agree to it---I have no issues with it. The problem arises when everyone's not on the same page. Apparently, the boss-man at Rising Star was on one page; the employee on another and her rights to a discrimination-free workplace have been violated. I'm not a lawyer, but this just screams lawsuit. The world is a big place, and America is can be even bigger with its diversity. We have room for all sorts of people who have all sorts of beliefs. How they choose to express them is one thing, but if they choose to impose them on others, well, that's a problem. This chick had better sue the pants off these people. If for no other reason than to send a message that we will not put up with a woman being fired for eating a BLT in a lunchroom. {Mmmm. Bacon. MMMMMMMM.} {Hat Tip: Enlightened Cynic} Posted by Kathy at August 1, 2004 11:58 PM | TrackBack