by Nathan Duke, bayside.patch.com
The New York state Assembly has passed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman David Weprin, D-Fresh Meadows, that prohibits workplace discrimination against attire worn for religious purposes.
Weprin said the bill was a response to a series of cases throughout the state during which employees were discriminated against at work due to their religious garb or facial grooming.
“People should not have to make a choice between working to provide for their families or observing their religion,” the assemblyman said.
“It is unacceptable that workers have faced discrimination for wearing their religious attire or facial hair because it is an infringement on their civil liberties.”
He said the bill would allow for persons to wear hijabs, turbans, kippahs and beards at their workplaces without fear of persecution.
The legislation passed by a vote of 112-1 on Jan. 14.
“We enthusiastically support the religious garb bill calling for equal employment opportunities for all New Yorkers, regardless of religious attire and facial grooming,” said Rabbi Israel Rubin, who is the regional director of Chabad of the Capital District.
“This religious observance issue confronts many Orthodox Jewish New Yorkers, who ought to be protected against discrimination at their worksites.”
that s freedome.. respect.. hopefully quebec will learn something before they lose more respect from most of the immigrants..
we don’t live in Red Necks’ world anymore!
i believe in 1 world &1 nation in parrallel to respect of all personal beliefs
peace out!
People come to N. America and want to reshape our way of living, our traditions to suit theirs, our constitution etc. etc. If we were to go to their countries and perform similarly, we would be arrested, exiled or beheaded for daring to propose change of any kind. Here we bow, give them every wish, and all they do is gripe, complain and squawk for more. Oh how tolerant we are ….. for a little while more .. somewhere a line must be drawn in the sand. When they have rendered us completely without any of our former rights, totally… Read more »
I have a beard and think this is an unfair law.
I have a right a to have a beard, and someone that doesn’t like how I look, or thinks that it doesn’t go along with the ambiance they are trying to create in the business should have the FREEDOM to hire and fire who he wants.
Should a business owner be forced to work with someone he doesn’t like?
Why are people such “wusses” in America.
You have a beard. You wanna be Jewish or whatever.
So then take the consequences of being different.
That’s what freedom means.
THERE ARE LIMITS TO FREEDOM IMPOSED BY OUR CHARTER. AND BY MANY CONSTITUTIONS.THERE FORE I DONT THINK GOING NAKED AT WORK PLACE WILL BE ACCEPTIBLE.I AM A SIKH WHO WORE TURBAN LONG HAIR FOR 33 YEARS OF MY EARLY LIFE, BUT IT WAS OF MY FREEWILLTHAT I DECIDED IN 1964 TO CHANGE MY LOOKS.IT WAS NOT ANY EASY DECISION,BUT MY VALUES OF HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP HAVE REMAINED FIRM.I STUDIED ENGINEERING IN ENGLAND WHERE I SPENT 10 YEARS.IALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN RETIERED FOR 17 YEARS I AM STILL MEMBER OF OIQ AND I AM DISGUSTED TO READ SOME OF… Read more »
#19 – Thanks for reminding of us of the bigotry and retrograde thinking that lies behind the PQ’s charter.
God bless the First Amendment and God bless the good ol’ USA.
Is it me or in high school they force you to wear an outfit to avoid any conflict. And now at work… isn’t it just the opposite? lol… society
Religion is a fake institution that separates the world for no reason. The best way to start conflict and to waste your life. If I was to go in one of these primitive country, I’d get stone trown at me!!!! So please tell me again how quebec is so untolerable. Oh and by the way, we never asked you to move in, not happy here? Then get lost
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKYUO WHAT WOULD WE DO THE KGB IS AFTER US OVY VAY
Meanwhile, in Quebec, the separatist minority government (partie Quebecois) is attempting to pass a bill that forbids any religious sign in government buildings and institutions, however, this ultra nationalist government that’s still beating the drum of separation, refuses to discuss or include in his “charter of values bill” the large predominant white cross that has been part of the Quebec flag ever since its creation.
So if there is so few with retrograted religious beliefs, is it worth discriminating against them and making this a front line divisive issue ? And what is your response when M. Drainville, the creator of this proposed legislation, says that he hopes the PRIVATE sector follows suit? As for #11, that just makes me laugh. It’s amazing how PQ bashing for some is now Quebec bashing. The PQ is NOT Quebec!!! It is a political formation that is currently a minority government with barely more votes than their nearest opponent received, Quebec is much more than the PQ, but… Read more »
I guess it’s my french background but I dont exactly see how one can be free and religious at the same time… Institutionalized religions are the THE most despotic off all institutions. Nothing more than a cult who lasted long enough. If my religions considers that we should be naked all the time to be as close to our natural state as possible, and that mankind descent from aliens who transformed copper statues into living beings…. Should it be right just because they are MY beliefs? And how come inside a single religion their is so many ways to pratice?… Read more »
False debate based on misconceptions. A man wearing a kippa, a turban or any other religious sign does not make him a mysoginous…
Perfect way to have the people forget about the real important things in Quebec: jobs, infrastructures (bridges and highway overpasses in terrible shape), economy, healthcare (much better than in the USA though)…
I’m Sorry I Don’t Agree With You. There Is Nothing In This Article That Mentions Public Or Privet Workplace.
I like #6,7,8. Then #10 left me thinking about conflicting rights. Worth thinking about.
It says in this article private work place
In Québec it is the Public work place
So stop your Québec bashing machine or move the west.
This law was passed to reduce discrimination in private workplaces. Employers and other employees have no right discriminate based on religious attire. But that is not necessarily true for a state/government apparatus where the state and therefore it’s employees must remain neutral or at least have the appearance of neutrality, especially those with coercing powers like police and judges. Also, there needs to be a healthy and open debate about competing rights and freedoms and how to balance them. for example if religious rights compete with gender equality and women’s right, the latter should have precedence to ensure greater justice.… Read more »
great for jews; not so good to have pagans around here
Save us from the governemnt of Quebec! They want to do the exact opposite and have the nerve to call it proggressive. Progresively ignorant that is!
Rabbi Rubin you are the best keep up the great work for many many long years or joy and open brocho for you, your family and community.
pauline marois needs to see this
What’s the point of wearing a beard or head covering if one cannot observe Sabbath & YomTov properly during employment?
Tommy Schnurmacher already did that this morning.
Who voted against? There’s always one in every crowd.
Montreal’s English news station so they can contrast this with the current attempt by the parti quebequois to institute a bill” charter of values ” which if passed will FORBiD religious attire by anyone in the public sector workplace.
What about NYPD/FDNY?