UPDATE: Croydon muslim fired from Sutton Vodafone shop for having a beard

8:35am Thursday 29th March 2012 in Local news Exclusive By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

Shahid Saleem, 21, from Croydon, has a beard for religious reasons Shahid Saleem, 21, from Croydon, has a beard for religious reasons

A Muslim was sacked on the first day of a new job at a phone shop because of his beard.

Shahid Saleem, 21, from Croydon, has a beard for religious reasons and is now seeking legal advice after the discrimination he faced at Vodafone in Sutton High Street.

Mr Saleem turned up at the store on September 9, 2011 after being placed there by the recruitment agency, Adecco.

He was taken to a room at the back of the store by the manager and told he could not work there because he had a beard.

Mr Saleem asked to see the dress code to see whether Vodafone had an official policy which requires a worker to be clean shaven.

However, his request was refused and he claimed he was escorted to the door and told to speak to his job agency.

Mr Saleem said: "Throughout the whole time [the store manager] was talking to me, he spoke to me condescendingly in public in front of a Vodafone employee, which completely demoralised and upset me as well as causing me distress.

"He did not mention anything at all about my clothes; he only stated that he did not want me working with him if I had a beard."

"What [the store manager] did was blatant discrimination, and discrimination is this country is illegal, especially in regards to the work place."

Mr Saleem is still affected by the experience; he said he felt disrespected and that no-one in his life had treated him in this way.

After inquiring the company dress code, the store manager contacted Adecco on the same day to confirm that Mr Saleem could return without removing his beard.

However, Mr Saleem, who prays five times a day, said he would not feel comfortable returning to the store which had already discriminated against him once.

Vodafone investigated Mr Saleem’s complaint and sent him an explanation and apology.

They said the store manager felt Mr Saleem’s appearance was "rather scruffy and not business appropriate" but admitted he focused on discussing Mr Saleem’s beard rather than the rest of his appearance.

The store manager was subsequently enrolled on a training course to help him to understand more about diversity and about Vodafone’s approaches and policies.

Mr Saleem’s MP, Malcolm Wicks said: "This is a shocking case of discrimination which surprised me in this day and age.

"I wrote to Vodafone about this and I’m pleased about the action they have taken.

"This man was shocked and upset - understandably so and I am pleased he stood up for himself."

A spokeswoman for Vodafone said: "We did not fire Mr Saleem as stated in your headline.

"Mr Saleem did not accept the position offered in our retail store in September. We also made it clear to Mr Saleem that we would very much like him to join us at a later date if a position arises that suits him.

"We have absolutely no mention of beards in our dress code. In retail stores, we ask that employees wear branded clothing and present a neat and professional appearance.

"We do accept that the manager of the Sutton store focused not just on general standards of neatness but also on the neatness of Mr Saleem’s beard and this could have been misunderstood.

"The manager decided that Mr Saleem was a suitable candidate to work in our store and we asked him return to the store the same day to start work. Unfortunately, Mr Saleem felt unable to do so.

"We have apologised to Mr Saleem as we felt that the situation could have been better handled."

Comments(42)

Mr Flange of Wallington says...
10:38am Thu 29 Mar 12

Why does this article start off mentioning that Mr Saleem is a muslim?

He was asked to leave because of his appearance, not his religion.

If there was any discrimintation, it was beardist, not racist. Bearded people have rights too!

Report this post »

edstar says...
11:32am Thu 29 Mar 12

Mr Flange of Wallington wrote:
Why does this article start off mentioning that Mr Saleem is a muslim?

He was asked to leave because of his appearance, not his religion.

If there was any discrimintation, it was beardist, not racist. Bearded people have rights too!
"However, Mr Saleem, who prays five times a day"

What has this got to do with the story? I suspect that this is the Guardian just reiterating that this guy is a Muslim.

Report this post »

trasie says...
12:45pm Thu 29 Mar 12

Looking at the maturity of the beard, did he not have it at the interview? Also, the company that had the job did they not have certain restriction criteria information. I think he should take them both to court for humiliation.

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GR-London says...
1:53pm Thu 29 Mar 12

This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!

Report this post »

edstar says...
1:57pm Thu 29 Mar 12

GR-London wrote:
This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!
Was he fired for praying 5 time a day?

Did the dress policy state no beards?

A spokeswoman for Vodafone said: "We did indeed apologise to Mr Saleem as we felt that the situation could have been better handled. "We have absolutely no mention of beards in our dress code

Report this post »

smurf4568 says...
2:34pm Thu 29 Mar 12

Safeway used to have a policy that you coulnd't grow a beard while working for them, but if was fine to have a beard and be employed by them (and even to shave it off once you'd started), it was about appearance, you were still required to look smart and professional.

Report this post »

bigmanboxing says...
3:17pm Thu 29 Mar 12

GR-London wrote:
This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!
Sorry but you cannot use personal opinion when dismissing employees especially if its discriminative! it has to be against violation of contract etc.

And I can see your uneducated on Islam, the man would not of had to pray five times in that shift, maybe once on his break as praying starts before sunset and ends in the night time. So it would have been out of his lunch break.

Report this post »

Mr Flange of Wallington says...
4:14pm Thu 29 Mar 12

I still don't get why the Guardian is playing the race card here.

Clearly, Mr Saleem was taken on without the shop knowing he had a spectaculary mature, totally unoffensive beard. It's not like he was going to be serving food.

This kind of beardist behaviour needs to be nipped in the bud sharpish.

What next; "you can't work here if you're bald".

Has nobody else spotted the date he turned up for work? Perhaps the shop manager was preoccupied thinking of a tenth anniversary or something.

Report this post »

Whatyousaying says...
5:45pm Thu 29 Mar 12

Is this all the news the guardian could get there hands on? He was fired for having a beard not for being a Muslim get over it and move on

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David7 says...
6:18pm Thu 29 Mar 12

I thought 1 April wasn’t until Sunday...

Report this post »

GR-London says...
7:02pm Thu 29 Mar 12

bigmanboxing wrote:
GR-London wrote:
This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!
Sorry but you cannot use personal opinion when dismissing employees especially if its discriminative! it has to be against violation of contract etc.

And I can see your uneducated on Islam, the man would not of had to pray five times in that shift, maybe once on his break as praying starts before sunset and ends in the night time. So it would have been out of his lunch break.
You may actually be right there, with so many different versions of Islam it would be difficult to know anything for sure.

In fact I have no interest in religion because from what I see it causes nothing but trouble and I want to live in a peaceful world when everyone gets on together.

Thanks for the info.

Getting back to the beard, only this afternoon I mentioned this story to a Muslim friend and they say "There is no requirement to grow a beard to follow Islam."

No doubt if I ask enough people I will get a variety of answers.

Report this post »

bigmanboxing says...
7:16pm Thu 29 Mar 12

GR-London wrote:
bigmanboxing wrote:
GR-London wrote:
This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!
Sorry but you cannot use personal opinion when dismissing employees especially if its discriminative! it has to be against violation of contract etc.

And I can see your uneducated on Islam, the man would not of had to pray five times in that shift, maybe once on his break as praying starts before sunset and ends in the night time. So it would have been out of his lunch break.
You may actually be right there, with so many different versions of Islam it would be difficult to know anything for sure.

In fact I have no interest in religion because from what I see it causes nothing but trouble and I want to live in a peaceful world when everyone gets on together.

Thanks for the info.

Getting back to the beard, only this afternoon I mentioned this story to a Muslim friend and they say "There is no requirement to grow a beard to follow Islam."

No doubt if I ask enough people I will get a variety of answers.
Yeah, regardless of all of that, whether people think its right or wrong, we have to abide by rules and laws whether you are an employee or whether you are an employer, you cannot judge somebody over race, sex or age same way you cannot judge somebody over appearance END OF!


...PS...And maybe your friend needs to study the religion, as it is a requirement to grow the beard according to scholars.

Report this post »

GR-London says...
7:25pm Thu 29 Mar 12

bigmanboxing wrote:
GR-London wrote:
bigmanboxing wrote:
GR-London wrote:
This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!
Sorry but you cannot use personal opinion when dismissing employees especially if its discriminative! it has to be against violation of contract etc.

And I can see your uneducated on Islam, the man would not of had to pray five times in that shift, maybe once on his break as praying starts before sunset and ends in the night time. So it would have been out of his lunch break.
You may actually be right there, with so many different versions of Islam it would be difficult to know anything for sure.

In fact I have no interest in religion because from what I see it causes nothing but trouble and I want to live in a peaceful world when everyone gets on together.

Thanks for the info.

Getting back to the beard, only this afternoon I mentioned this story to a Muslim friend and they say "There is no requirement to grow a beard to follow Islam."

No doubt if I ask enough people I will get a variety of answers.
Yeah, regardless of all of that, whether people think its right or wrong, we have to abide by rules and laws whether you are an employee or whether you are an employer, you cannot judge somebody over race, sex or age same way you cannot judge somebody over appearance END OF!


...PS...And maybe your friend needs to study the religion, as it is a requirement to grow the beard according to scholars.
Like I said, everyone seems to think 'they' know and that's why it seems there may never be peace on this planet.

And that really is the "END OF"!!

Report this post »

Whatyousaying says...
7:25pm Thu 29 Mar 12

Mr Saleem turned up at the store on September 9, 2011 after being placed there by the recruitment agency, Adecco.

Why's it taken so long to go to the guardian???

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Monstermunch17 says...
8:08pm Thu 29 Mar 12

A lot of people going off at tangents here, and the avengers doing her usual green-inked, dated, Alf Garnett schtick.

This is pure prejudice, plain and simple. The guy was rightly disciplined, but Vodafone need to look at their Diversity training, to ensure this sort of disgraceful episode is not allowed to happen again.

Report this post »

Krissi says...
10:14pm Thu 29 Mar 12

there is a way of a beard of this length can be kept out of the way and tidy Sikhs do it- I am not sure how- and their religion does require no cutting of hair and beard, hence turbans and pugs to keep it out of the way

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Vezz says...
11:52pm Thu 29 Mar 12

If I remember who Adecco are correctly, they are a recruitment agency. This would mean the store manager would not have interviewed him, he would've been placed.

That said, I believe that if you are in a customer-facing role, you should adhere to the policies of your employer.I could be wrong by trying to read between the lines (and also the fact that Mr Saleem is a Muslim - how DID I reach that conclusion??) I think the store manager objected to something else about Mr Saleem and used the beard as an excuse....which has turned and bitten him on the b*m big time.

Report this post »

JPR says...
8:41am Fri 30 Mar 12

6 months old story... Why now? What the interest? Is this a political statement or and attack against the phone company or? 6 months later lies are so easy.

Report this post »

surrey-L says...
10:06am Fri 30 Mar 12

this is all so boring!

if his religion requires him to have a beard wear a turban blah blah go get a job in a mosque!

I am a catholic from an international upbringing and a employer! Go on- accuse me of the boring old stuff of being racist, beardist, narrow minded blah blah!

This is england not afgan! boring

Report this post »

Michael Pantlin says...
10:42am Fri 30 Mar 12

surrey-L wrote:
this is all so boring!

if his religion requires him to have a beard wear a turban blah blah go get a job in a mosque!

I am a catholic from an international upbringing and a employer! Go on- accuse me of the boring old stuff of being racist, beardist, narrow minded blah blah!

This is england not afgan! boring
Agree. Perhaps a suitable story line for a boring Ricky Gervais Phone Shop episode set in the Sutton High Street location shop. The recruitment agency should not have sent the poor man there though - a **** up somewhere between the recruitment agency and the phone shop. I'm considering joining a religious cult headed by Jock poo-pong McPlop who cleans the toilets in Aberdeen. I was told about him recently when I asked on the web who holds the freehold deeds of Hadrian's Wall in the event a break away by Scotland and apparently this chap has them :))
The cult would require me to leave my shirt hanging out and stand on my head three times daily while sucking special brew strength lager through a straw - my religious rite.

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Tubby Jim says...
11:17am Fri 30 Mar 12

why doesn't the silly sausage give it a light trim with a beard and trimmer kit that can be purchased from Argos, I'm with Dr Flange on this one, clearly a beardist issue, and Mr Saleem needs top chill out a bit FFS.

Report this post »

ANNE MILES says...
12:03pm Fri 30 Mar 12

Just a ruse for compensation.

Report this post »

edstar says...
12:51pm Fri 30 Mar 12

ANNE MILES wrote:
Just a ruse for compensation.
The only person who mentioned compensation is you!

Report this post »

I hope not says...
2:19pm Fri 30 Mar 12

He wasn't racially or religiously discriminated against, how could the Manager possibly know what his religion was and I know plenty of people that are not white that do not have beards, so it is hardly racial now is it? Admittedly, the Manager got it wrong by thinking beards were banned and tried to sort out his mistake by offering the agency guy to come back, but the poor little lamb didn't want to and was humiliated. So now 6 months after the event, he will no doubt be seeking compensation as he has been unable to work due to the stress? I save my sympathy for the soldiers killed fighting another country's war, not some big baby who spat his dummy out cos the nasty manager didnt like his beard. I think he needs a bit of a reality check.

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I hope not says...
2:22pm Fri 30 Mar 12

and since when was it September 9, 2011 ? Check out how you have put yesterday's date - Thursday 29th March 2012. Stop trying to sensationalise what really is essentially a NON story.

Report this post »

bigmanboxing says...
4:36pm Fri 30 Mar 12

I hope not wrote:
He wasn't racially or religiously discriminated against, how could the Manager possibly know what his religion was and I know plenty of people that are not white that do not have beards, so it is hardly racial now is it? Admittedly, the Manager got it wrong by thinking beards were banned and tried to sort out his mistake by offering the agency guy to come back, but the poor little lamb didn't want to and was humiliated. So now 6 months after the event, he will no doubt be seeking compensation as he has been unable to work due to the stress? I save my sympathy for the soldiers killed fighting another country's war, not some big baby who spat his dummy out cos the nasty manager didnt like his beard. I think he needs a bit of a reality check.
I know the guy personally . hes making enough money with a company who tolerate people from all different backgrounds. but the young man felt powerless that nothing had happened in regards to this abuse and thus he reported it after 6 months of him trying to take action against the manager which had no result.

Report this post »

Whatyousaying says...
4:46pm Fri 30 Mar 12

Why does the headline say update? What has been updated it's still a rubbish story!!

Report this post »

EverardEdbutt says...
1:43pm Sat 31 Mar 12

Yet people across the country are unable to wear a crucifix (A symbol of Christianity)

http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/news/article-
1196794/CoE-school-p
upil-banned-wearing-
crucifix-Sikh-pupils
-allowed-wear-bangle
s.html

http://news.sky.com/
home/article/1347516
3

http://www.newsy.com
/videos/cross-contro
versy-stirred-up-aga
in-in-u-k/

A Muslim is under no religious obligation to grow a beard, so you cannot claim the beard is an essential part of the religion

http://www.justaskis
lam.com/41/explainin
g-islam-to-non-musli
ms/

http://www.irfi.org/
articles/articles_20
1_250/growing_beard_
is_it_mandatory_in_i
slam.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/10369726

Report this post »

CroydonGeorge says...
3:18pm Sat 31 Mar 12

Couldn't this chap be found a job by Vodafone in Pakistan, Afghanistan or similar places? Surely he'd feel more at home then, and shop customers would not be upset by his appearance. Just a thought ...

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Michael Pantlin says...
1:01am Sun 1 Apr 12

surrey-L wrote:
this is all so boring!

if his religion requires him to have a beard wear a turban blah blah go get a job in a mosque!

I am a catholic from an international upbringing and a employer! Go on- accuse me of the boring old stuff of being racist, beardist, narrow minded blah blah!

This is england not afgan! boring
Or perhaps a job at London Hairport.

Report this post »

Jazzyking says...
2:06am Sun 1 Apr 12

Same ThinNg happened to me!
I was fired from Allied Irish Bank Plc on the sec

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emelem says...
12:29pm Sun 1 Apr 12

i personally couldn't care less what someone looks like (esp. if they are providing good customer service, ha!)...it's when they don't bathe that i get somewhat upset. when i can smell the produce guy an isle away, something needs to change!!

Report this post »

Michael Pantlin says...
2:30pm Sun 1 Apr 12

emelem wrote:
i personally couldn't care less what someone looks like (esp. if they are providing good customer service, ha!)...it's when they don't bathe that i get somewhat upset. when i can smell the produce guy an isle away, something needs to change!!
Smokers spoil my day. They still stink even when they are not smoking making me feel sick. Awful when I'm stuck next to one on the bus. Just as bad as B.O.

Report this post »

Mr Flange of Wallington says...
11:51am Mon 2 Apr 12

Don't start upsetting non-bathers and smokers - that is a whole can of whoop-as.s. you don't wanna mess with!

I have a personal abhorance to wearers of sickly, OTT perfume, even if it is covering up something altogether less pleasant. A splash of Brutt is all you need.

Report this post »

Malikoff says...
7:30am Tue 3 Apr 12

Ahhh please! I'm a Muslim, but that's stupid to come in to a workplace, where you'll be talking to customers all day, with a long beard. The manager had nothing to do with his religion, it's just his inappropriate appearance, not suitable for an employee, meant to serve customers. Most of the customers would be reluctant talking to him, and eventually, coming to the store. The manager did right.

Report this post »

Malikoff says...
7:31am Tue 3 Apr 12

If I come to my workplace with metal horns erecting out of my head for religious reasons - that would be inappropriate too.

An excuse that I have them for religious reasons stupid, the manager did everything right.

Report this post »

Malikoff says...
7:42am Tue 3 Apr 12

bigmanboxing wrote:
GR-London wrote:
bigmanboxing wrote:
GR-London wrote:
This is not new.

Many years ago I was informed by an employer that I could not grow a beard because their dress code was "clean shaven, smart appearance and no tattoos."

The employer is paying you, not the other way around and if they want to present their company's image in a particular way, within reason that is up to them.

Another thing - that is going to be a big deduction of pay, to disappear to pray five times a day!
Sorry but you cannot use personal opinion when dismissing employees especially if its discriminative! it has to be against violation of contract etc.

And I can see your uneducated on Islam, the man would not of had to pray five times in that shift, maybe once on his break as praying starts before sunset and ends in the night time. So it would have been out of his lunch break.
You may actually be right there, with so many different versions of Islam it would be difficult to know anything for sure.

In fact I have no interest in religion because from what I see it causes nothing but trouble and I want to live in a peaceful world when everyone gets on together.

Thanks for the info.

Getting back to the beard, only this afternoon I mentioned this story to a Muslim friend and they say "There is no requirement to grow a beard to follow Islam."

No doubt if I ask enough people I will get a variety of answers.
Yeah, regardless of all of that, whether people think its right or wrong, we have to abide by rules and laws whether you are an employee or whether you are an employer, you cannot judge somebody over race, sex or age same way you cannot judge somebody over appearance END OF!


...PS...And maybe your friend needs to study the religion, as it is a requirement to grow the beard according to scholars.
The beard is not a requirement according to Sunni and Shia - the two most widely spread courses of Islam. However it is a requirement according to Wahhabism - the most radical course. Dude, if you think this is a requirement, most probably you're originally either from Egypt or Saudi Arabia.

Report this post »

bigmanboxing says...
6:53pm Tue 3 Apr 12

Malikoff wrote:
If I come to my workplace with metal horns erecting out of my head for religious reasons - that would be inappropriate too. An excuse that I have them for religious reasons stupid, the manager did everything right.
Well if you think the manager did everything right you are as much of an arse as the manager. you people make it hard for integration and have double standards

Report this post »

bigmanboxing says...
10:00pm Tue 3 Apr 12

Malikoff wrote:
If I come to my workplace with metal horns erecting out of my head for religious reasons - that would be inappropriate too. An excuse that I have them for religious reasons stupid, the manager did everything right.
Well if you think the manager did everything right you are as much of an arse as the manager. you people make it hard for integration and have double standards

Report this post »

surrey-L says...
5:44pm Wed 4 Apr 12

Its nothing to do with religion ..

There is only one mentioning of a person having a beard in The Quran, that of Aaron in 20:94, but it is not stated as a command or requirement. Muslim men having a beard is a tradition associated with the reported sayings/practices of prophet Muhammad, as recorded by others.

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Tyler3 says...
1:20pm Thu 12 Apr 12

Forget religion and if he must wear a beard or not. Yes the date he was sent to the company is odd. The fact remains the man couldn't get over his beard. What about (as mentioned above) Sikhs? What about bikers??? Hello Muslims are not the only ones who don a beard and don't believe they should have to shave it to get a job. Having a beard in Islam is not obligatory but practiced as their prophet had one, as did the prophets of the Bible. Maybe he should have braided it like the Asians do. As long as you are clean and neat it shouldn't matter.

Report this post »

antwacky says...
8:24pm Sat 14 Apr 12

I don't like any man with a beard like that, no matter the religion: it lookes dirty. Brings to mind Edward Lear's:

There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, "It is just as I feared!—
Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard.

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