Policy: Marks & Spencer has told Muslim staff they can refuse to serve shoppers buying alcohol or pork. (Daily Mail)
British retail giant Mark and Spencer is facing a boycott after it announced it would give Muslim staff the option to not sell pork or alcohol. Meanwhile, competitor Tesco said it ‘would make no sense’ to employ staff who refused to touch specific items.
The Daily Mail reported:
Furious M&S customers threatened to boycott the store last night for allowing Muslim checkout staff to refuse to serve customers who want to pay for alcohol or pork.
Managers at a London store told the workers they could ask any shoppers trying to buy the items to wait until a different till was available, it emerged yesterday.
One shopper said: ‘I had one bottle of champagne, and the lady, who was wearing a headscarf, was very apologetic but said she could not serve me. She told me to wait until another member of staff was available.
‘I was taken aback. I’ve never come across that before.’
Last night, Marks & Spencer said the advice had been given in error and was not consistent with its national policy.
But customers bombarded the store’s Facebook page to complain, while another site was set up calling on shoppers to boycott M&S.
More than 1,500 others put posts on MailOnline.
Customer Matt Syson wrote: ‘If you have Christian workers who wish to refuse the sale of ladies’ garments to male homosexuals or men’s trousers to lesbians, I do hope you will stand by those workers’ religious or personal beliefs.
‘My family and I shall no longer purchase any goods from your company due to the implementation of this “one rule system” that creates further division and hatred within our communities.’
M&S released a statement following the controversial policy.