Muslim flight attendant allegedly suspended for refusing to serve alcohol

A Muslim ExpressJet flight attendant says that she was suspended from her job because she did not want to serve alcohol, as that would have been against her religious principles.

A Muslim ExpressJet flight attendant says that she was suspended from her job because she did not want to serve alcohol, as that would have been against her religious principles.

Charee Stanley started working for ExpressJet three years ago and then later converted to Islam. After her conversion, she learned that part of converting to Islam meant that she was not supposed to consume or serve alcohol.

After approaching her supervisor about the issue, Stanley was able to work out a system with the other flight attendants so that she would not have to serve alcohol, and the system continued without disrupting the normal operations of the flight.

“We know that this arrangement has worked beautifully and without incident and that it hasn’t caused any undue burden on the airline,” said attorney Lena Masri.

But on August 2, a coworker filed an “Islamophoic” complaint stating that Stanley was not fulfilling her duties. The coworker also complained about Stanley’s headscarf and her book of “foreign writings.”

Stanley was placed on administrative leave at the end of the month.

“She was disciplined as a result of following the instructions of ExpressJet,” Masri told USA TODAY. “They directed her to do that — she carried out what she was instructed to do by the airline, and she was ultimately disciplined for that.”

The alcohol complaint was the only complaint filed against Stanley.

“I don’t think that I should have to choose between practicing my religion properly or earning a living,” Stanley told CBS News. “I shouldn’t have to choose between one or the other because they’re both important.”

Jarek Beem, an ExpressJet spokesman, said, “At ExpressJet, we embrace and respect the values of all of our team members. We are an equal opportunity employer with a long history of diversity in our workforce.”

 

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