Great Britain: religious symbols at work challenged by employers

A British Airways employee has lost her appeal against her employer, who had banned her from wearing a necklace with a cross over her uniform. BA had asked Nadia Eweida, a fervent Catholic, to put her necklace it under her clothes. This case, obviously minor, is the third case over religious signs at work to be highlighted by newspapers, in less than a month. This could mean a change in mentalities. (Ref. 061170)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Last week, a lawyer, Shabnam Mughal, was replaced by a colleague after she refused to comply with an immigration court’s request to remove her Islamic niqad (scarf covering the entire face) during the audience. Following this case, which took place in Stoke-on-Trent in the West of the country, the highest magistrate of England and Wales asked for an urgent definition of clear rules in order to end the juridical fuzziness over the head-scarf in courts. At the end of October, the case of an auxil

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Spain: new terms and conditions for in-company training contracts
On 25 November, Spain's Council of Ministers approved a regulation on training contracts. This text defines the terms and conditions for hosting work-study students and interns doing professional...
2
EU: Commission issues first recommendation on human capital as part of European Semester
In parallel with the European Semester adopted on 25 November, which proposes guidelines to member states on economic policies for the coming year, the European Commission has adopted an...
3
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
4
Germany: apprenticeship openings fall sharply in manufacturing and chemicals
From 1 January 2026, Dutch collective agreements for temporary employment agencies will alter the employment conditions of temp workers. Agencies will be required to pay these workers at least the...