Michelin-star chef sued for discrimination after ‘telling Sikh to remove bangle’

[Premi5]

Possibly the Chef has been disrespectful, but when I was at school for sports, I would cover my Kara with a wristband to be safer to myself and others. He says he "was afraid to approach Herbert during work and the length I was employed and ask him why I am not allowed to wear this Sikh bangle.’

Wonder if the Sikh tried to educate the Chef? And if the Chef had safety concerns, would it not be acceptable to cover the Kara to safeguard against accidents? I know Singhs working in factories tie beard to prevent getting caught etc

https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/23/michelin-star-chef-sued-for-discrimination-after-telling-sikh-to-remove-bangle-15303593/

Michelin-star chef sued for discrimination after ‘telling Sikh to remove bangle’

 Comment

Emma BrazellThursday 23 Sep 2021 11:14 am

 

Herbert Berger is accused of religious discrimination by Niranjit Moorah Singh (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

A top chef is being sued for religious discrimination after allegedly telling a staff member to take off a traditional Sikh bangle as it ‘could get stuck in a ladle’.

Niranjit Moorah Singh says he had never once in 20 years of working in London been asked to remove his kara, worn to show his commitment to his faith.

But Michelin-starred Herbert Berger is accused of calling it a ‘bracelet’ and telling him to stop wearing it ‘every time he saw it’.

Mr Singh claims he was ‘afraid to approach’ his boss to ask why he wasn’t allowed to display it on his wrist.

The alleged incidents have been compared to asking a Christian to take off a crucifix or a Muslim to remove a hijab.

Mr Singh began working for Austrian-born Mr Berger as ‘casual staff’ at Innholders Hall in 2010.

He worked his way up to the role of a £30,000-a-year assistant manager – but struggled with depression when his employment came to an end amid the pandemic in September 2020.

A London employment tribunal heard the bangle was given to Mr Singh by his late Malaysian grandfather 35 years ago.

In written evidence, he said: ‘Every time Herbert sees me wearing my Sikh Bangle since April he asked me to remove it…

‘He calls it a bracelet; he never [asks] me what is this in your hand that you [are] wearing.

‘[In] my 20 years working and living in London, no employer has asked me to remove my Sikh Bangle.’

He continued: ‘[Mr Berger] says that the bangle will get stuck in his ladle while saucing the food.

‘Can we please ask him to demonstrate and run a show while we are there at Innholders Hall if he is right?

‘Asking someone to remove their religious signs from their body is against the law: can be a cross of Jesus or a hijab.

‘I have gone through a very hard time since being Furloughed and lost my full income; not only thinking about how I can look after my family back home but going through a depression period of losing everything in my life especially thinking about my Sikh bangle.

 

‘I was afraid to approach Herbert during work and the length I was employed and ask him why I am not allowed to wear this Sikh bangle.’

 

 

Mr Berger – who has won three Michelin stars in three different establishments – successfully applied to have Mr Singh’s claims of religious discrimination thrown out in July.

The tribunal later acknowledged Mr Singh was unaware of the hearing. He has been granted a second opportunity to argue his claim in December.

Mr Berger declined to comment when contacted by Metro.co.uk.

 

 

[intrigued]

23 hours ago, Premi5 said:

Wonder if the Sikh tried to educate the Chef?

Doesn't look like he did

[MisterrSingh]

I'm certain this mostly happens to those guys who emanate or project a certain aura of vulnerability, i.e. push-overs. Someone with some presence wouldn't entertain this disrespect. Am I being unfair?

[Suchi]

37 minutes ago, MisterrSingh said:

I'm certain this mostly happens to those guys who emanate or project a certain aura of vulnerability, i.e. push-overs. Someone with some presence wouldn't entertain this disrespect. Am I being unfair?

Not met that many macho chefs in my time. . 

[MisterrSingh]

1 hour ago, Suchi said:

Not met that many macho chefs in my time. .