14 DAY TRIAL // Marks & Spencer's new policy allows Muslim workers to refuse serving alcohol or pork to customers in all of the retailer's stores. People attempting to buy certain items were asked to wait for available non-Muslim checkout staff when wanting to pay for their groceries that included the particular products.
M&S customers were outraged by the new rules and criticized the retailer's new policy even if the store declared that the new rule wasn't understood correctly. The store's Facebook page was flooded with complaints and concerns regarding the humiliation some customers may feel when refused by staff and by the fact that not even a sign was posted to warn them about the issue.
The policy stated that non-Christian workers who didn't feel comfortable touching or selling certain products, like alcohol and pork, could refer customers to other available workers that could handle the issue. If no other staff member was available at the time, shoppers should be asked to wait until a person that could solve their demands was free.
Shoppers were shocked when, finding themselves at the counter, they couldn't finalize their purchase because they bought alcohol. “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,” one customer said, according to Daily Mail.
People started comparing the issue with other discriminating situations like refusing to sale garments to gay people or trousers to lesbians. The only thing this rule brings is a deeper community division and hatred as it chases away loyal customers.
M&S's Facebook page featured messages stating people's refusal to shop at the store while the policy is in place. “I shan't be shopping in M&S anymore. The quintessentially British retailer bows down to Muslim beliefs. And in turn alienates the majority of Christian and non-religious customers. Outrageous,” one post read.
Marks & Spencer's spokesman apologized for the inconveniences created but stood strong in supporting the policy that “when followed correctly” shouldn't compromise the quality of the customer service offered by the store.
Britain has been dealing with several similar situations, as student protests brought light on the problems found in academic institutions after gender separation was allowed in universities. In an attempt to respect a minority's rights, the majority's status-quo is the one being affected.