Retail
Migros and Coop ban cashiers from wearing headscarves – and in doing so they become entangled in contradictions
The two retailers provide reasons for the ban on headgear in their stores, although this does not apply everywhere.
Not allowed at the checkout in Migros and Coop supermarkets: headgear of any kind. But in other subsidiary stores, the two retailers don’t take it so strictly.
Bild: Getty
The case caused a heated debate among CH Media readers: Last week it became known that Migros had thrown out a long-time employee in Lucerne. She refused to come to work without a headscarf. She feels discriminated against by the dismissal and is now suing the retailer.
Migros doesn’t want headscarves, kippahs or turbans at the checkout.
Image: Hanspeter Bärtschi / SZ
Migros argued with its national dress code, which states that any type of head covering is not permitted when working in customer contact. “This includes religious headgear, including headscarves, turbans or kippahs,” said spokeswoman Carmen Hefti.
Kippas and hijabs no – red hats yes
Migros is not alone in this. The direct competitor Coop also referred to the fashion guidelines: “At Coop, baseball caps, hats, caps and all religious headgear are generally not part of the sales uniform and are therefore not permitted,” said spokeswoman Sina Gebel.
Coop says no to headgear of any kind – but makes exceptions.
Bild: Screenshot saporiditalia.ch
But: These generally formulated bans are full of holes, as a look at other sales formats shows. The Coop restaurant chain offers “Rice Up!” very likely cashier with hijab. And at the Italo concept Sapori d’Italia, red caps are part of the sales staff’s uniform.
Why does Coop make a difference between Coop supermarkets and other Coop formats? Does the retailer see this as a contradiction to the generally formulated ban on headgear because one wants to differentiate between private life and professional activity and therefore avoids symbols of any kind?
Coop avoids questions
Taboo at the Coop supermarket checkout: headgear for staff.
Image: Urs Bucher
Coop spokeswoman Sina Gebel does not comment on these questions. She simply points out that “Rice Up!” Two Spice belongs to a joint venture with a majority stake from Coop, which has different clothing regulations – without explicit headgear regulations. Two Spice also runs the new Coop restaurant chain Yalda, which sells Middle Eastern specialties such as shawarmas, tabbouleh and hummus. “Headgear is permitted upon agreement,” says Gebel.
And what about Migros, which is being sued? Does it also make exceptions for subsidiaries? The Migros media office is not willing to provide any more detailed information. Spokeswoman Carmen Hefti simply says that there has been enough reporting on the topic: “From our side, everything has been said about it.” And she points out that the individual Migros cooperatives and companies have scope for an individual design of this guideline. In other words: There are likely to be exceptions at Migros too.
2024-02-29 18:01:04
#Headscarf #debate #Migros #Coop #retailers #exceptions
