Are people actually not allowed to wear a cross at the work place?

Question

I'm atheist. If I saw someone wearing a cross at work it wouldn't bother me one bit. I would respect their right in a "free" society. I am getting an indication that some work places don't allow it.

I just need to get out more.

Thank you. If someone was not allowed to wear a crucifix at their work place that would deeply disturb me.

Answer 1

A large wooden cross is only a problem when combined with a crown of thorns and rotted loincloth. This is considered a fashion faux pas. Try varying your wardrobe so that you wear only one piece of your crucifixion outfit one day at a time.
Please keep in mind that other religions may someday include large blinking headlights worn on the head or giant golden discs worn on a chain around the neck. If these outward signs of sheepish shychological shenanigans are bothersome, then wear your cross on the inside, where only god can see it.

More seriously, crosses on the neck are sometimes indeed interpreted as an affront. This may be a bit of oversensitivity, but if a religion icon actually offends someone it can be banned. (as in the case where persecution was done in the name of a religion, and the heritage of the victims descends to the affronted). Keep in mind that religions have rarely been peaceful in history, and most wars incorporate religion or religious causes into their propaganda.

Answer 2

Would you want your fellow technician wearing a cross around a high powered magnetic imager? Some years ago, a cross passed through a man's arm before hitting the imager. I think it depends on the circumstances.

As a general rule, yes, but would that also include members of a Satanist church, wearing an upside down cross?

Wearing an idolic symbol of any kind does not make that person a certain kind of person, only someone who wants others to think they are.

Answer 3

The case brought up lately is the British Airways (?) case where the stewardess was not allowed to wear her cross necklace showing. The actual reason is that NO dangling necklaces are allowed by them, though employees are allowed to wear them under their shirt. She made it about religion when it was a safety thing.
By the way, public schools DO allow students to wear crosses. Some schools ban the oversize (huge) goth crosses (and pentacles, etc.) for safety reasons.

Answer 4

I haven't worked in a place where they weren't allowed - there are lots of crosses worn where I work, as well as other symbols of faith (including mine). In some schools, I think they have been banned. But that's sometimes because a non-Christian was wearing their emblem of belief and parents threw a wobbler, so the school had to do an "all or none" policy with regards to faith symbols.

Answer 5

No one is legally allowed to prohibit the wearing of a symbol such as a cross in the workplace.

This is a first amendment right.

Look up Lemon v. Kurtzman and Sherbert v. Verner.

Answer 6

External indications of religion are not prohibited in my workplace; we have Jews with kippahs, Hindus with foreheads decorated for feast days (I should know what that is called but I don't), and one Muslim lady who wears a hijab.

Of course, I work for a software company; our dress code could be defined as "whatever doesn't get you arrested."

Answer 7

I've only worked at places that disallowed all jewelry because it was a personal safety hazard--and they tended to make rare exceptions when it came to crosses--I always wanted to see somebody's cross get caught in moving machinery and cause htem to get hurt--is that wrong?

Answer 8

I've not heard of this one yet...think I want to stay inside if this becomes an issue. You don't have to be Christian to wear a cross, the cross predates Christianity.

Answer 9

Not at my workplace. I haven't seen a problem. They have no problem with my head covering either but my sons friends say they cannot wear a cross openly at public school.

Answer 10

That is not happening. But Christians like to stir up urban legend bullshit like that to creating a myth of a victimized and abused majority. I don't respect their religion, nor do I approve when they are given privileged status, but I wouldn't stand for them or any other theist to be harassed for wearing their graven images. Only exception, Sihks carrying swords and daggers in the workplace. They can have their dagger as long as I can have my .45. auto.