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?

I also don't know the exact requirements with kippahs but thinking about it from keeping headpieces worn in other contexts in situ, some of which I have sewn myself, the plastic hair comb (bigger so less likely to fall into food without being seen) to help anchor it or a band over it that is fabric could all work potentially. As could actually sewing ties or ribbons onto each side edge of it to tie below the chin. If this is allowed from the perspective of handling the kippah?

I expect the problem with just the hairnet and no anchoring, from your husband's POV, is that the kippah can slip, not into the food but within the net down the side of his head so it does need anchoring.

But it is also worth considering whether actually what is being said doesn't make sense against other rules for other situations, and is really some discrimination which may or may not be due to genuine misunderstanding. A word with the union rep if he has one, or with HR if this has come from a non-HR line manager, would be a good idea at this stage.

I have a relative working in a factory and she has to remove her hijab but then they are also strict on rings, jewellery etc too. She says doesn’t want to question it and be discriminated further as she needs the jobs but I always think it’s worth questioning.

That's terrible @magma32 I'm sure a reasonable adjustment could be made.

I meant Bukharan rather than sefardi. My family are easy about all this but my ex made a big fuss in moving from a suede kippa to a crochet one so I get that it’s not straightforward.

To a PP, if the exact styling and anchoring of her hijab is a genuine safety risk in that specific environment, then in almost all circumstances, one of the sports-style ones should be okay from a safety POV and ideally she would press for this and have a proper discussion about finding a solution with HR H&S and QA people as relevant, who should do their jobs properly and not discriminate.

But, I can understand her not wanting to "rock the boat" given the economic situation and how hard it can be to get a resolution to even blatant discrimination and how long it takes and what do you live on tin the meantime? It's not right. Again, joining a union if she can would be a good idea. It generally is.

Genuine question, why is this a No!!! so emphatically from one PP? If it is permissible to stitch a clip or comb on, is it not permissible to sew ties on, or is it more about how it would look? I am genuinely interested, I am not being goady. When there is a situation where religious observation and (if genuine on the part of the business) the H&S needs of the work are in conflict from a practical perspective, what is the religious guidance on that?

What do male Jewish surgeons do, for example? Maybe the issue is that instead of a hairnet there should be an industrial hair covering that is more appropriate and will also hold the kippah in place or count as the head covering itself while on factory floor? And the workplace should be working with him and their professional networks to find the solution, creatively.

Apologies for saying "kippahs" as the plural, obviously that is not right.

This is what I’m thinking, doesn’t make any sense

@maplesaucewithbacon
yes I agree I’m sure she is fine with wearing any of the sports ones or the minimal caps that show the neck and just cover the hair but I think there are confidence/assertiveness issues at play as there seem to be many women of her background working there who I don’t think have raised it either so I’m guessing it might be that as these women are the observant type (unlike me!). it also doesn’t help it’s a zero hours contract. But I will talk to her about it but it’s a very immigrant mindset of keeping one’s head down and not making a fuss but I do think alternatives should be looked at which comply with H&S etc rather than asking people to remove things that may cause them some discomfort.

Not chicken but chocolate.

I'm very busy until later when I will get through this replies, thanks to each one.

I think he should turn this around to his employer and ask them to solve the problem so they’re not discriminating against him on the basis of a protected characteristic.

The employer needs to provide religiously appropriate equipment to meet good safety regulation. I‘m sure HR can find a solution here.

My friend is sikh not Jewish, but he wears an approved head covering instead of the net covering his head for food production, would that work? No clip required if it's fully covered but a head covering

I’m confused. Presumably he’s an adult, so why isn’t he solving this problem himself?

he could sew one of these hair combs inside it to keep it in place

www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-side-combs-2-pack/p/0349165

It's new, although they didn't mention it to him until yesterday and has worked there for 4 months.

if the requirement is to have the head covered, couldn't he remove the kippah and stow it in his locker as he puts on the hairnet at start of work, and reverse on leaving ?

It's fine. 😊 The Hebrew plural is kippot, but lots of Hebrew words get anglicised by English-speaking Jews - people often say menorahs/kippahs/yeshivas/sefers/whatevers rather than using Hebrew plural forms.

This document refers to Sikh articles of faith, but calls out types of discrimination and when health and safety rules may trump the rights of an individual.

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/288201/response/709901/attach/3/guidance%20on%20sikh%20articles%20of%20faith%20for%20scotland%20pdf.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1

Could a clip be sewed into the kippah, then it isn't a drop risk because if the whole kippah were to drop it would be seen!

Yep broke a tooth on shards of plastic in a fillet of Co-op chicken. Metal much more preferable! At least you can check often for metal remnants

Could he ask to see the policy that dictates this. Because if he still is wearing the cap/net then there is little chance of contamination.

I would ask for the policy and explain steps I have taken/will take plus explain that everyone else is wearing similar ( hair clips, hair bands and generally have hair under their cap) so don't see the different treatment ..(unless off course it's due to his religion)

I agree! My first thought…

Has he only just started the job? If not, why has the problem only just come about?

Put a few silicone anti-slip stickers on the inside of his kippa?