M&S Muslim Refuses To Serve 'Unclean' Bible - Page 4

Bagpuss · 17-01-2008, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

IMO she is owed an apology.

This could only happen in England, IMHO it's what she would want to happen, sympathy when she should be sacked.

katex · 17-01-2008, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

would she be aware they sold bibles katex? i sure as hell wasn,t

whilst i see the sense in what ya say, its hard to think they would list every product on an interview.

Oh Cashy ... dear, oh dear ! It's how you would put a question on interview .. like "Have you any prejudices on selling products to our customers that may cause you some concern ?" Sure Marks have this type of question in their interview guide, etc. Anyway, to me, that is not the issue .. the issue is the attitude she created at the till and in earshot of the customer .. could have been handled differently ( like excused herself for a moment to have a word with her supervisor and excuse that she had to leave the till for other reasons !) Like a veggie commenting on a person buying beefburgers ... you do not do it !

People are strange, bet this assistant loved every minute of it. A chance to show her religious superiority.

WillowTheWhisp · 17-01-2008, 20:35

It wasn't a prejudice! It was her showing respect for the flippin Bible! Something which is rarely done in Christian society so we just aren't used to it. It probably never occurred to the poor girl that the woman would take offence.

And no, I had no idea that M&S sold Bibles either. I'm sure they don't list all their products when they interview prospective staff.

katex · 17-01-2008, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

It wasn't a prejudice! It was her showing respect for the flippin Bible! Something which is rarely done in Christian society so we just aren't used to it. It probably never occurred to the poor girl that the woman would take offence.

And no, I had no idea that M&S sold Bibles either. I'm sure they don't list all their products when they interview prospective staff.

I am talking with my business head on here Willow, not 'respect' for stories from the Bible, etc.

You should not air your opinions in front of the customers no matter what, therefore jeopardising the sale of certain goods by affecting the feelings of the customer, and derogatory to the company that is paying your wages at the end of the day.. that is all there is to it, no matter what the issue is. ! That is way the Marks will view this incident irrespective. Could have been that they were selling Enid Blyton books again, and the assistant refused to handle it to what, in the past, the powers that be considered it bad grammar and not good for young children to read.

I do not believe that the assistant was so naive not to understand that her additude would not upset the customer in a Christian country. If she is, then needs a lesson in good manners.

blazey · 17-01-2008, 21:24

It'd be wrong to sack someone because she wouldn't touch something. What if you work in a pet shop and your quite happy to serve on the till but when your asked to handle a rat or a snake or something you fear you refuse? Shoudl you deserve to be sacked just because you dont want to touch something? Even more so when its actually out of RESPECT for something?!

Nobody in their right mind would sack her for it because she'll be dragging them through court cases for breaching her rights and it wont be pleasant. M&S arent going to suffer economically because of this instance, so why should they bother sacking her? Anyone been put off shopping at m&s because someone refused to touch a bible? Very very unlikely

Lilly · 17-01-2008, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

It'd be wrong to sack someone because she wouldn't touch something. What if you work in a pet shop and your quite happy to serve on the till but when your asked to handle a rat or a snake or something you fear you refuse? Shoudl you deserve to be sacked just because you dont want to touch something? Even more so when its actually out of RESPECT for something

I agree with Katex, she shouldn't have said anything to the customer, just politely excused herself and asked another member of staff to take over the till.

blazey · 17-01-2008, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

I am talking with my business head on here Willow, not 'respect' for stories from the Bible, etc.

You should not air your opinions in front of the customers no matter what, therefore jeopardising the sale of certain goods by affecting the feelings of the customer, and derogatory to the company that is paying your wages at the end of the day.. that is all there is to it, no matter what the issue is. ! That is way the Marks will view this incident irrespective. Could have been that they were selling Enid Blyton books again, and the assistant refused to handle it to what, in the past, the powers that be considered it bad grammar and not good for young children to read.

I do not believe that the assistant was so naive not to understand that her additude would not upset the customer in a Christian country. If she is, then needs a lesson in good manners.

We cant really be classed a religious country in my opinion anymore either. The majority of white people dont follow religion like they used to and unfortunatly the 'christian card' is only really played when people think someones playing the 'muslim card'. Its stupid. We're a secular country. We are also meant to welcome everyone and accept their faith, its why people come to england, because we're alledgedly accepting and equal opportunities and all that. Truth is we aren't, but we shouldn't claim to be a religious country when we arent. Its almost as stupid as living an 'american dream.'

blazey · 17-01-2008, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilly

I agree with Katex, she shouldn't have said anything to the customer, just politely excused herself and asked another member of staff to take over the till.

I'm assuming she told the customer she cant touch the bible with 'dirty hands', which is what all the fuss is about. Even if she had excused herself the story would still be manipulated and be recieving the same affect.

Basically this jus shows how influencial the media is on people, and quite frankly I think its scary.

katex · 17-01-2008, 21:34

[QUOTE=blazey;518509]It'd be wrong to sack someone because she wouldn't touch something. What if you work in a pet shop and your quite happy to serve on the till but when your asked to handle a rat or a snake or something you fear you refuse? E]

Any company like Marks will surely have job descriptions, and if you are asked to do a task not in your job description, then every right to complain,
so your above does not quite wear with me Blazey .. as would have the right to refuse.

lancsdave · 17-01-2008, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

What if you work in a pet shop and your quite happy to serve on the till but when your asked to handle a rat or a snake or something you fear you refuse?

Why would anyone take the job in the first place if they can't handle things like that ?

katex · 17-01-2008, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilly

I agree with Katex, she shouldn't have said anything to the customer, just politely excused herself and asked another member of staff to take over the till.

Thanks Lilly for your support.. they just 'aint getting it are they ?

WillowTheWhisp · 17-01-2008, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

You should not air your opinions in front of the customers no matter what, therefore jeopardising the sale of certain goods by affecting the feelings of the customer, and derogatory to the company that is paying your wages at the end of the day.. that is all there is to it, no matter what the issue is. !

But she wasn't airing an opinion. She was showing her respect for the book and the customer by not wishing to defile it. She was the one unclean (for reasons we know not) NOT the flippin book!!!

lancsdave · 17-01-2008, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

because we're alledgedly accepting and equal opportunities and all that.

So are most developed countries, yet it's a damn sight more difficult to get in to them. Unless of course there are other reasons they come here with no money, no job and nowhere to live

Lilly · 17-01-2008, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Thanks Lilly for your support.. they just 'aint getting it are they ?

LOL. No, it seems not.

Lilly · 17-01-2008, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

But she wasn't airing an opinion. She was showing her respect for the book and the customer by not wishing to defile it. She was the one unclean (for reasons we know not) NOT the flippin book!!!

She still shouldn't have said anything about unclean to the customer, just politely excused herself.