A British Airways check-in clerk suspended for wearing a crucifix at work is appealing against a ruling that cleared the airline of religious discrimination, claiming she has a right to equality and respect for her individual beliefs under the Human Rights Act.
Nadia Eweida, who is aged 58 and from Twickenham, wants the Court of Appeal in London to overturn the decision taken by the Employment Appeal Tribunal in favour of BA in November 2008 and is suing her employer for about £120,000 in damages and lost wages.
The Pentecostal Christian was sent home in September 2006 for refusing to back down over wearing a silver cross that was visible to customers, but she was unpaid during her five-month absence. Her stance was in violation of BA’s uniform code on jewellery, which has since been modified.