Muslim is asked to get out of bank line

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I read this story earlier. If going inside of the bank is going to cause a situation like this, she can use the drive thru.

I'm all for respecting cultures, but if an action causes a safety concern, find another way to do it.

Pretty much what I was thinking. I could see if she was asked to leave the line simply because she was Muslim and some nut didn't want to serve her. But since it's for safety/security reasons, I'm ok with it.

Just this morning I was reading about how bank robberies have been on the rise (most citing the tough economic times) so I can understand how the bank may deen hard covering, hats, etc. as an element of surprise.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by moe.ron

I personally believe that if they were scared of robbery, why didn't security stop her when she first come into the door? Why wait for her to wait in line, go all the way into the front of the line, then reject her in front of everybody. I'm sure that if she was handled differently, this would be no problem. A little common sense people.

Exactly. You don't wait until a security concern walks through the door, goes through the line, and then make an issue. She should have been stopped at the door and informed of the policy the first time it happened.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Honeykiss1974

Just this morning I was reading about how bank robberies have been on the rise (most citing the tough economic times) so I can understand how the bank may deen hard covering, hats, etc. as an element of surprise.

That reminds me, speaking of tough times, an article I ran across last week that I forgot to post:


Former executive arrested for bank robberies in VA

Kind of makes you wonder...

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Exactly. You don't wait until a security concern walks through the door, goes through the line, and then make an issue. She should have been stopped at the door and informed of the policy the first time it happened.

Originally Posted by from the article

But a few weeks ago, she said, she was standing in line to deposit a check when an employee asked her to come to the back room, referring to a new policy that prohibited hats, hoods and sunglasses. She complied but asked whether she would have to go through the same process each time she made a transaction.

On Saturday, Shelley said, employees again asked her to come to the back room if she would not remove her head scarf. "No," she recalled telling them, "I want to be served like everybody else."

Looks like she was aware of the policy before it became an issue.

[DaemonSeid]

And now that I think about it...heh!

The Mand T Bank around the corner from my job has 2 women tellers there that are Muslim with headscarves on, so it makes me wonder, if a policy like this starts to catch on, will there be any actions taken against EMPLOYEES who do the same.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Religious beliefs < public safety.

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I read this story earlier. If going inside of the bank is going to cause a situation like this, she can use the drive thru.

I'm all for respecting cultures, but if an action causes a safety concern, find another way to do it.

I agree with both of you.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

And now that I think about it...heh!

The Mand T Bank around the corner from my job has 2 women tellers there that are Muslim with headscarves on, so it makes me wonder, if a policy like this starts to catch on, will there be any actions taken against EMPLOYEES who do the same.

The employees would have a bond through the bank; they'd probably be excepted.

[CutiePie2000]

I think that the Canadian response to this would be that we accomodate people to the point where it becomes an "undue hardship" (nods to HR Professor). Is the head scarf undue hardship? Hard to say.....

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

Exactly. You don't wait until a security concern walks through the door, goes through the line, and then make an issue. She should have been stopped at the door and informed of the policy the first time it happened.

I agree. I have seen security guards stand at the door and request that guys remove their ball caps, motorcycle helmets, etc.

If this goes to court (and it probably will), if her face was unobstructed, I would say that she will 'win' the case. If her face was partially obstructed (and therefore, the bank branch cameras could not get a clear shot of her face), then I would say that the bank will win.

That's basically where these "rules" are stemming from.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I wonder if an orthodox jew would be allowed to wear his hat? Actually, upon reflection, the bank would end up not chosing to serve a fair number of religious and ethnic groups with this policy.

Yeah, what about old school nuns in habits?

[CutiePie2000]

Oooh....that's true. And even some Greek Orthodox women? You don't see them around a lot but some of them do cover the hair, depending on the circumstance.

[DrPhil]

So what about people who have to wear helmets. What about women with bad hair days. You know policies have to cover all contingencies. They have rights, too.

[DaemonSeid]

What about bald cancer patients with wigs?

[agzg]

LOL sometimes when I have a bad hair day I wish I could walk around with a paper bag on my head - hats don't cover the crazy that my hair can get on a humid day!

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I read this story earlier. If going inside of the bank is going to cause a situation like this, she can use the drive thru.

I'm all for respecting cultures, but if an action causes a safety concern, find another way to do it.

I agree.

Hats don't obstruct the face (usually?!) either, so it's sort of the same thing.

[wrigley]

This isn't a just one bank that has this policy. I know at least 2 different bank groups where I live that have the you must remove you hat, etc policy posted in clear view before you get in line. At the drive thru of my local bank the no hat policy sign is posted there too. I can't remember how long these policies have been in place. Hmm.

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by Zephyrus

This is bull. I would tell her that if she can't follow policy to leave and don't come back. I hate those Islamic retards.

I hate retards in general. They all come in all shapes and religious believe and even people posting in this particular topic.