From The Telegraph
A Muslim woman was forced out of her job at a hospital after refusing to bare her arms in order to comply with new hygiene rules.
The radiographer was told by managers at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading that she must either follow the national dress code designed to combat superbugs and roll her sleeves up, or leave.
She refused to abide by the rules and left her job, claiming she was discriminated against and forced to choose between her religious beliefs and her livelihood. Islam teaches that women should dress modestly and cover their bodies while in public.
The woman, who did not want to be identified, said she wants to "prevent the policy from being universally applied, so other Muslim women do not experience the same trauma." She said that she fears she may not be able to get another job, but has vowed to campaign against the NHS's "bare below the elbows" policy.
The rules require all doctors and nurses who come into contact with patients to have their arms bare below the elbows, by wearing short-sleeved clothes or rolling up their sleeves. Jewellery, watches and false nails were also banned to reduce the risk of infection by staff. This is hardly a new policy. 100 years ago the Edwardian nurse’s uniform had sleeves which unbuttoned so they could be rolled up when necessary. A clean starched white cuff to go over the roll to keep it tidy and in place was part of the kit. And women didn't come stricter or more sober than an Edwardian Matron and Sisters.
However the policy was criticised by some Muslim doctors and medical students for going against the teachings of the Qu'ran on dress.
In the latest case, the radiographer was employed by an agency to work at the Royal Berkshire on June 16 this year and was told about the dress code.
The hospital claims she initially complied with it and said it was "surprised" when weeks later she told managers that she could not abide by with the rules.
After a meeting with her bosses on August 1 she was given an ultimatum and chose to leave her post.
Clare Edmondson, Director of Human Resources for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "When she voiced her objection, she accepted the opportunity to meet with the Trust Chaplain and we also offered her the opportunity to meet with an Imam to discuss her concerns, but this was declined.
"The Trust Chaplain and Imam both stand behind our 'bare below the elbows policy' and support the Trust in this instance, they do not cite any diversity issue and agree that the policy is an acceptable professional requirement for everyone who works for the Trust in clinical areas."
Dr Majid Katme, spokesman for the Islamic Medical Association, said: "Any practising Muslim woman should have the right to cover her arms, as long as her job doesn't jeopardise the care of the patient”.
Peter Oborne pooh-poohed the last report of Muslim objections to this requirement as exagerated and sensational. With the name of the hospital, the names of the managers, the date of the her service and her role all reported I think we can accept this incident as accurate.