10 September 2019

Muslim woman claims discrimination after being rejected as hotel waitress

A luxury hotel has been accused of discrimination after it denied a Muslim woman a job as a waitress because her faith stops her handling pork or alcohol.

Rufflets St Andrews hotel, in Fife, interviewed Fatima Elfakri for the role last month but decided against hiring her, citing concerns the job would make her feel “awkward and uncomfortable”.

The job involved serving afternoon tea to hotel guests, which would include ham sandwiches, sausage rolls and champagne.

In the interview Ms Elfakri, 20, told management that she would be unable to serve some of the items on religious grounds. She later received an email praising her interview performance but saying she was not suitable for the job.

The hotel, which is family run, said that it did not have enough staff for her to avoid certain duties. [The Times (£)] Read more