A Greek Orthodox former Qantas employee claims the airline discriminated against her based on religion.
Georgina Sarikoudis alleges the company demanded she remove religious paraphernalia, including her crucifix and prayer-knot bracelet.
Sarikoudis said company officials had ridiculed her and subjected her to threats if she didn’t remove the items.
“The Qantas uniform policy allows for head scarfs by Muslim females but no allowance for the wearing of crucifixes, religious bracelets or other religious … artefacts.
Qantas staff have a religious belief other than Muslim,” she said.
The company dress code, changed last year, prohibits visible necklaces and bracelets, unless required for medical purposes.
She said she had worn the crucifix in her 19 years at the airline, and was not the only employee told to remove the items.
“For Christians, this is our uniform. Everyone should be allowed to manifest their religion as they see fit,” she said.
In a claim before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), Sarikoudis is pushing the airline to change its policy to allow for “religious items of significance” and has demanded an apology.
But a Qantas spokesperson said the airline’s new uniform policy did not ban the wear of religious insignia.
“Our uniform standards don’t prohibit employees from wearing religious jewellery,” the spokesperson said.
“Many of our employees wear such jewellery every day, it’s simply worn under their uniform.
“We give our employees plenty of options so they can continue to wear religious jewellery that is in accordance with the requirement of their faith.
“As with most airlines, employees are required to follow uniform rules and guidelines.
“There has been no change to our uniform standards in relation to religious jewellery since the introduction of the new uniform, but we have reminded employees of what the uniform standards are.”
Sarikoudis accepted a redundancy offer earlier this year.
Source: Herald Sun
