Marks & Spencer in row over Muslim staff refusal to sell alcohol
DECEMBER 23, 2013
British retailer Marks & Spencer faced criticism on Monday after it emerged that it allows Muslim staff to refuse to sell customers pork and alcohol.
More than 8,000 people have signed up to a Facebook page calling for a boycott of the chain after an "apologetic" Muslim checkout worker told a customer they would have to wait for another employee to sell them a bottle of champagne.
M&S, which is Britain's biggest clothing retailer as well as selling food and homeware, said that when employees have religious beliefs that restrict what foods or drinks they can handle, it tries to place them in a "suitable role".
"We regret that in the case highlighted we were not following our policy," a company spokeswoman said. "As a secular business, we have an inclusive policy that welcomes all religious beliefs, whether across our customer or employee base."
The "Boycott Marks and Spencer" Facebook page said the policy was an affront to "common sense".
The issue emerged after an unnamed customer told the Daily Telegraph newspaper the worker had refused to sell them champagne at a London store and that they would have to wait for another till to become available.
"I was taken aback," the customer told the newspaper. "I was surprised. I've never come across that before."
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/world/article/marks-spencer-in-row-over-muslim-staff-refusal-to-sell-alcohol
DECEMBER 23, 2013
British retailer Marks & Spencer faced criticism on Monday after it emerged that it allows Muslim staff to refuse to sell customers pork and alcohol.
More than 8,000 people have signed up to a Facebook page calling for a boycott of the chain after an "apologetic" Muslim checkout worker told a customer they would have to wait for another employee to sell them a bottle of champagne.
M&S, which is Britain's biggest clothing retailer as well as selling food and homeware, said that when employees have religious beliefs that restrict what foods or drinks they can handle, it tries to place them in a "suitable role".
"We regret that in the case highlighted we were not following our policy," a company spokeswoman said. "As a secular business, we have an inclusive policy that welcomes all religious beliefs, whether across our customer or employee base."
The "Boycott Marks and Spencer" Facebook page said the policy was an affront to "common sense".
The issue emerged after an unnamed customer told the Daily Telegraph newspaper the worker had refused to sell them champagne at a London store and that they would have to wait for another till to become available.
"I was taken aback," the customer told the newspaper. "I was surprised. I've never come across that before."
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/world/article/marks-spencer-in-row-over-muslim-staff-refusal-to-sell-alcohol
