Dh asked to remove his kippah clip

[jewishmum]

DH works in a factory and was asked to remove his kippah clip because it's metal and it could contaminate the food product. While I understand the concern, he can't wear double sided tape to keep his kippah on as it hurts his head so I'm not sure what the alternative is?

Sorry should have typed suede Kippah?

Are the other rules in line with this? What other things aren't allowed? It sounds off to me, if the clip is under the hairnet.

OP please come back! I think a lot of us are confused as to why the metal clip is the issue. Is it because of the material it's made from (i.e. not plastic) and in that case, do they think it's the metal that will 'contaminate' the food - is it something to do with reactivity, like vinegary foods will react with some metals?

Or is it because it's 'loose' (like earrings or other jewellery) and they're concerned it could fall off (out of the hair net ) and into the food?

Either way I think this is an odd situation. Is he required to wear no clothing with metal on it (zips, buttons etc)? Why do work feel that a hair clip is likely to fall off and through a hair net? What is the point of the hair net in that case?

I think work should be more sensitive to your DH's cultural needs - there are other religious groups that have allowances made for specific things that have to be worn, so why not him? I honestly don't see why the hair net isn't sufficient to stop it falling into the food.

I would have thought a kippah with an elastic/rubber band, to hold it place under the chin would be ideal? No need for clips at all then.

I’m just really pleased and sadly surprised at how pleasant and helpful everyone is being.by now the cruelty has come out on thread like this

Yes attach the clip to the kippah on the inside

I meant to start my own thread. So sorry. I idea how it appeared on here-how do I delete? Can’t see an option.

You spoke too soon.

Someone’s just mentioned the N-words…

FFS.

I know! What did I do!

You can't glue the kippah onto the poor man's head!

I fail to see how this is any different to, for example, a woman with long hair (or a man for that matter) using an elastic or clip to secure their hair under the hairnet.

@jewishmum I don't know how your partner would feel about this as it's personal but given it's a potential risk to loss of life, would he be OK with not wearing the kippah on the production line? My partner doesn't wear operating / in theatre for this reason; he's happily OK with his decision and there was no pressure.

However, like many people have said, metal is significantly easier to find than any other material.

Also, just to check, is there any reason this has only just come up now if he's been working there for a while? If there is any possibility that there's something untoward going on - please start documenting everything now and keep evidence and a list of witnesses.

Wear a different kind of kippah? The embroidered Sephardi style ones are more of a hat with a band around the bottom and shouldn't need a clip.

No metal clips or pins on any hijabs allowed either?

So women are not allowed to wear any kind of metal in hair ties/ clips either then?

My anti semitic radar would be on high alert.

@HeraldicBlazoning that's not what the poster meant; she meant glueing the clip to the kippah...

My anti semitic radar would be on high alert

MINE IS!

my husband and sons all wear kippas without clips but they are the bigger ones and I assume your husband wears the smaller ones which probably need a clip.

(for non Jews out there the size and style of kippah makes a big statement!)

My sons wear Ikippahs which I think all have a little pocket for clips (which we don't use). If you are in London or Manchester I am pretty sure they are sold there.

Even if the clip is hidden it will still be there though?

Alternatively can he wear another head covering like chefs wear while at work? For religious reasons any head covering is fine afaik...many Orthodox Jewish man wear flat caps or baseball caps

ikippahs.com/

Ah I see! Phew. Had me worried there. I still don't see the logic of how something he wears under a hair net is going to cause an issue.

I think @jewishmum would have mentioned it if this was a factor.

Sometimes when these things are happening (particularly at the start) people don't see the trees for the forest.

It's also something that people tend to dismiss as it's not something they want to happen; it's easier to think it's not happening / an option.

I’m not Jewish but I agree with you.
I hope not though.
People who have not been brought up with a religion and it’s associated cultures, I’m a Roman Catholic by birth, don’t always understand the importance of religious objects and symbols.

(for non Jews out there the size and style of kippah makes a big statement!)

???

What are the question marks for?

I'm not Jewish. I know what a kippah is. I know they come in lots of shapes and sizes and patterns. I know the local synagogue sells tartan ones so people can demonstrate their "Scottish-ness". I would imagine that one Jewish person can make assumptions or draw conclusions about another Jewish person by the style/shape/colour/pattern of kippah they wear. Just as non-Jewish people draw conclusions about people from their coat or shoes.

I think Rebecca means for non-Jews who don't know much about the kippah...

I’m not Rebecca (nor am I Jewish!) but I suspect she just meant that style/shape of Kippah can vary quite a lot and each variation can have cultural/geographical significance to the wearer (and thus communicate something of personal/religious value to others who recognise that variation).

There is a table of different types on wiki:

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kippah