By BI: It may seem an innocent enough act to warm up your sausage roll or BLT in the microwave during lunch hour. But think again, because doing so could seriously upset colleagues of different faiths (No, ONLY the Islamic faith), new guidelines on the etiquette of using communal kitchens at work suggest.
UK Daily Mail Similarly, it would also be advisable to avoid keeping bacon rolls in a fridge shared with people whose Islamic religious beliefs prohibit them from eating pork.
Adam Dinham, professor of faith and public policy at Goldsmiths, University of London, has drawn up a religious literacy programme due to be presented to employers this week.
He said: ‘The microwaves example is a good one. We also say, ‘Don’t put halal and other . . . special foods next to another [food] or, God forbid, on the same plate.’ Halal and kosher food served at corporate events should be certified, and consideration should be given to whether to serve alcohol, the guidelines further suggest.
But critics have branded the idea “nonsense”. Ukip MEP for the North East Jonathan Arnott said: “It’s exactly this kind of nonsense proposal that leads to segregation, misunderstanding and intolerance.”
The Muslim Council for Britain’s “good practice guide” for employers and employees advises staff to store and heat their food separately from other food.
Professor Dinham warned that employers should consider new religions and cults, including Scientology, and beliefs such as environmentalism and vegetarianism, as well as the established faiths of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Coming soon to an American office near you: