EU Court rules private companies banning religious attire not discriminatory

The European Court of Justice on Tuesday ruled that it was not discriminatory for private companies to ban their employees from wearing anything with religious, political or philosophical meaning.


This would mean that private companies would have the right to fire employees wearing the Islamic veil should they decide that all religious symbols are not permitted at work.

However the Court said that such an internal rule would be discriminatory should it cause disadvantages to people with particular beliefs.

"An employer's desire to project an image of neutrality towards both its public and private sector customers is legitimate, notably where the only workers involved are those who come into contact with customers," said a Court statement.

However it added that, if the rule only applied to certain parts of a job, such as only employees who deal with customers having to follow it, then companies should try to find alternative positions for those who wish to wear religious, political or philosophical attire instead of outright dismissing them.
  [EFE/EPA]
14/3/17