M&s Apologizes After Muslim Worker Refused To Sell Alcohol

[singhbj singh]

M&S apologizes after Muslim worker refused to sell alcohol

LONDON British retailer Marks and Spencer apologized on Monday to customers angered after a Muslim checkout worker refused to sell champagne for religious reasons.

Thousands of customers threatened to boycott M&S, Britains biggest clothing retailer that also sells food, after a till worker in a London store asked a customer to wait as she would not handle champagne and called for another staff member.

Following a storm of protests on social media, M&S apologized for the confusion, saying it was not M&Ss policy to allow checkout staff to refuse to serve customers buying items like alcohol and pork which are forbidden in Islam.

A spokeswoman said the companys policy for many years had been to try to accommodate staff of all religions by finding them roles where conflicts would not arise.

On this occasion this persons preferences were not taken into account and she ended up on the tills, which was a mistake, the spokeswoman said. We would like to apologize for any resulting confusion and reassure our customers that this was an isolated incident.

Despite the apology, angry customers vented on M&Ss Facebook page, some calling on people to boycott the retailer and questioning whether other religions would get such leeway.

Will you allow staff with Christian belief to stop working Sundays, asked Richard Woodward.

Do Hindu or Sikh staff complain they cant serve beef and have you given Jewish staff the right not to sell pig meat?? ....you wont get me shopping there any more and I hope other people feel likewise, said John Mcglade.

RELIGIOUS DEMANDS

The row followed as similar one involving British universities. Some were accused earlier this month of caving in to rising religious demands after issuing guidance approving separate seating for men and women at events if requested by an external religious speaker.

The universities were forced to withdraw the guidance after being blasted by students and Prime Minister David Cameron whose government is considering how to better integrate Britains 2.7 million Muslims without restricting their right to freedom of religious expression.

Different approaches are taken by Britains four major supermarket owners over whether staff should be excused from certain jobs due to their religion.

Sainsburys said staff on tills or restocking would be asked to handle alcohol and meat although it worked with individuals to ensure we are inclusive and fair while Wal-Mart Store Incs Asda had one policy for all.

Morrison said it respected staffs wishes not to handle certain products at any time of year while Tesco said it had no definitive policy but handled cases on merit.

The protests came at a potentially difficult time for M&S which last weekend cut prices by 30% in order to draw in reluctant Christmas shoppers.

Chief Executive Marc Bolland is under pressure to boost sales after nine straight quarters of declining underlying clothing sales, although the food business has traded well.

Source - http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2013/12/23/21355181.html?cid=rssnewsworld

[Shaastar]

One of my english workfriends also said that English majority are now unknowingly served halaal in supermarkets..

Weird world!

British Turko Cypriots are here since the 1950s running Fish n Chip shops, English cafes selling pork.

20 30 years later Boatloads of Refujees from somalia banglas paks move in dictate what they touch and dont?? If you dont hear em they call you racist!

Sub Continental muslim stuck in their own world Luton Brick Lane Bradistan leeds City Ring rd...

Mediteranean Muslims Persians Ealing Hackney Tottenham Lewisham including older Pathan communities in Britain are pleasantly mixing well with white black chinese.

Its unfair on older matured muslim communities that they have to carry weight of newbies.

No1s saying its ok to break religious injunctions. But older wiser communities have the common sense not to cause obstruction in an other peaceful place that is bending over backwards.

Its not like you can go to Pakistan Kashmir or Potohar with 2 million African Christians baby booming and open up 2000 churches, hanaa? Eventually the Newbies are gonna run into trouble and the majority community are going to use higher ground education system media and a very open plan society to challenge the concepts of backward hillbillies. Mass media frenzy..

[singhbj singh]

Firstly, there is an old saying "Naukri ki te nakhra ki".

If you are rigid then don't work in a supermarket which sells alcohol, tobacco, pork, beef etc

An environment that goes against your beliefs.

Problem with pseudo religious whether Muslims or Sikhs is that they migrate for money ie Lobh but pretend to be spiritual ie Santokhi.

Secondly,English were always good managers unlike Americans who are Bully's.

Even after being outnumbered they got & still get majority to serve them look at the exchange rate of Pound Sterling.

Lastly, the above incident was HR managers fault, assigning wrong task to junior employee.

The comments are from High class customers who don't give a damn whether you are white or brown, they just want to be served right !