Religious freedom in the workplace

[hrmjustin]

By Tanique Williams

Two New York state lawmakers from Queens are seeking Senate passage of a bill (S.5828/A.864-A) prohibiting workplace discrimination against attire and facial hair worn for religious purposes, and condemns the behavior as a violation of human rights.

Bill sponsors Sen. James Sanders and Assemblyman David Weprin, held a press conference last week outside the Senate chambers supporting passage in that house, where the bill has lingered despite overwhelming support in the Assembly.

The Assembly bill, A.864-a, passed almost unanimously with one negative vote for two consecutive years — last year and earlier this year, making the bill one of the first to pass in that manner this legislative session, according to Weprin.

The measure would amend the Civil Rights Law, the Executive Law, and the Labor Law to prohibit employers from forcing workers to take off their garb or remove facial hair that are part of their religious customs.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-03-24-87300.113122-Religious-freedom-in-the-workplace.html

[Warpy]

1. Depends on the garb, IMO

and the burqa and niqab need to be banned in the workplace, along with any other garb that obscures the face and restricts vision. Facial hair doesn't qualify because it's part of the face.

I can see that draped veils would be dangerous around heavy machinery and beards need to be covered around food so some jobs are on a case by case basis.

However, if the ability to work and interact with other people aren't affected by religious garb, it shouldn't be a problem for anybody.

I live in an area with a lot of recent immigrants. I've watched them move from the abaya to the hijab and occasionally to no veil at all.