Muslim loses wine discrimination claim
(Filed: 22/12/2005)
news.telegraph.co.uk
A Muslim salesman who took offence when his company, Direct Line Insurance, offered alcohol as an incentive lost a claim yesterday for religious discrimination.
Imran Khan, 25, from Bristol, had claimed at an employment tribunal that the bottles of wine on offer put him at a disadvantage because, as a Muslim, he could not drink alcohol and could not claim the prizes.
British-born Mr Khan sought damages for "hurt feelings" but the panel chairman, Clive Toomer, rejected his claim. He said a teetotal non-Muslim would have been in the same position.
Louise Cummings, the team leader, said she introduced the incentives to "improve staff morale and performance". She added: "If I had realised that I had hurt anyone's feelings, then I would have taken steps to rectify that." A Muslim colleague exchanged his wine for gift vouchers, the tribunal heard. |
