by Annie Davison

Created on: December 05, 2009   Last Updated: December 06, 2009

Discrimination in the workplace. A loaded debate if ever one existed, alongside the "MMR causes autism" and "how long to breastfeed" arguments. No matter how you look at it, someone's in the wrong.

An interesting debate I have recently come across is the topic of religion, lifestyle, and offence. I have recently become an employee of one of the largest family-owned stores in the UK, and whilst the company is a great one to work for, the pay is brilliant and the hours reasonable, I was told something on my induction day that broke my heart:

I wouldn't be allowed to wear my collar at work.

This might sound insignificant...after all, a collar is just a fashion accessory to some, and a status symbol within the BDSM lifestyle to others. It has no real value or meaning, and at its strongest translation, it's comparable to a BDSM wedding ring, symbolising ownership of a submissive. This can also be done with another, less conspicuous piece of jewellery, something that's not quiet so shocking, or blunt. Something less offensive as the employers care to deem it.

That's one way of looking at it.

But try looking at it from the submissives point of view.

Take a girl. A regular baby girl. Subject her to abuse, neglect, rape or other traumas. Put her through hell as she grows up. Then introduce her to a nice normal religion...introduce her to Catholicism, for instance. Give her a crucifix and teach her how to pray, and tell her that as long as she trusts in God, loves him, and believes in him, she will always be with him. The symbol of her love and devotion for him and his protection and love of her is the crucifix she wears, amongst other things.

If you tell that girl she cannot wear her crucifix at work, you will be sued. There are laws protecting that girls right to wear that piece of jewellery, jewellery that is offensive to some. Take a similar example; Muslims, Sikhs, and other "non-UK" religions. They too are protected by anti-discrimination laws, and rightfully so; they need the protection in this country. If you take an anonymous poll of the UK citizens, almost three quarters think immigration into this country is poorly handled and having a negative impact of the jobs available, the local lifestyle, and the UK's economy. Unfortunately, this opinion is often funneled into racial or religious hatred targeting anyone who seems to have even a trace of foreign decent, and the UK is becoming more and more frighteningly puritanical in who can escape the wrath of the prejudiced.

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