Recent case law | Religious symbols // The Islamic Veil in the workplace
Publié le :
04/01/2018
04
janvier
janv.
01
2018
As you may know, religious signs in the workplace is a hot topic in Europe, and especially in France, a country with its own particular form of secularism called laïcité.
In March 2017 there were two judgments of the CJEU on the wearing of the Islamic veil at work. In the first one, it was said that the customer's wish not to be served by someone wearing the veil could not justify its prohibition.
In the second one, it was said that if the employer has a policy regarding neutrality in the workplace, such a policy may justify the prohibition of the veil, provided that this prohibition is proportionate and legitimate for the workplace’s activity.
The French Supreme court, the Cour de cassation, has taken up these decisions.
In a ruling dated 22 November 2017, the Cour de Cassation reiterates several points: Thus, it considers that "company’s internal rules can not contain provisions providing for the rights of individuals and individual and collective freedoms restrictions that would not be justified by the nature of the task to be performed nor proportionate to the desired purpose".
What does this mean for employers?
Employers may restrict the wearing of the veil and of other religious, cultural, or philosophical symbols in the workplace by first implementing a neutrality clause in their company rule book.
Secondly, this restriction can only concern employees who are in contact with clients or the public.
If the employee refuses to work without wearing the religious, cultural, or philosophical symbol, the employer must first try to find another position for the employee within the company without visual contact with customers, rather than terminating the employee.
Historique
-
Recent case law | Religious symbols // The Islamic Veil in the workplace
Publié le : 04/01/2018 04 janvier janv. 01 2018NewsAs you may know, religious signs in the workplace is a hot topic in Europe, a...
-
New Legislation | In depth look: Protecting personal data
Publié le : 04/01/2018 04 janvier janv. 01 2018NewsIn May 2018, new European regulations on the protection of personal data will...
-
New Legislation | In brief: Macron reforms: Softening the rules regarding dismissal letters
Publié le : 04/01/2018 04 janvier janv. 01 2018NewsUp to now, in personal and economic dismissals, employers were barred from ad...
-
Do’s & Don’ts | This month: Reacting to Sexual Harassment
Publié le : 04/01/2018 04 janvier janv. 01 2018NewsThis topic has dominated the headlines the past few months, but it doesn’t on...
-
"La mise en place des nouvelles dispositions relatives au CSE dans les entreprises à établissements distincts" par Jeannie Crédoz-Rosier
Publié le : 29/12/2017 29 décembre déc. 12 2017Dans les médiasCSE : Questions pratiques sur la mise en oeuvre des dispositions de l’ordonna...
-
Happy New Year 2018
Publié le : 28/12/2017 28 décembre déc. 12 2017NewsFichy Grangé Avocats wishes you a wonderful year. In 2018, more than ever, y...