Company policy on head coverings, gah!

[Ravin]

I work at Wal-Mart. Yes, they are evil, but it's money we need.

I currently wear a headcovering for spiritual reasons most of the time--except at work. Wal-Mart's dress code policy says that one must have a letter from one's clergy person outlining the doctrinal reason one must wear a head covering in order to wear religious head covering of any sort, and of course non-religious head covering is not allowed.

I'm a Heathen, I practice Asatru, more or less. My reasons for covering stem from personal gnosis and my understanding of the ancient/early medieval Norse culture from which my religion stems. It is NOT a doctrine-based religion in the sense that we have a holy book and one or more organized bodies of believers who interpret said book in such-and-such a way, and there are very few ordinated gothar (clergy), none of whom I actually know. It is a culturally-based reconstructionist religion and if you ask any two Heathens about a particular aspect of the religion, you're likely to get three answers. It's based on mythology, historical works, and gleanings from archaeology together with modern interpretations.

What's more, I am not a member of a Kindred (small local group), or one of the national umbrella-groups for Heathens, we practice within our family.

I am thinking of swearing a formal oath concerning my head covering at Yule. The importance of oath-taking is one of those things that does share a general consensus among Heathens, so I would then have as close to a "doctrinal" backup to give my employer as I'm likely to get, BUT I'll have to draft the letter and do the explaining myself, because again I don't know any clergy (unless DH, who has one of those "universal anybody can get it no beliefs required" ordinations that is supposed to let him legally perform marriages, etc.).

So, anyone have any suggestions for making my letter nice and professional and convincing?

[orangebird]

How absolutely annoying. I don't have any ideas for the letter but I think that policy really sucks. A note from a clergy person- bah.

[ChasingPeace]

Contact your local EEOC office and your state Civil Rights dept and ask if this is a lawful requirement.

[mommaduck]

Sorry, but that is illegal...it's the same as saying, "well, what are you?" They legally are not permitted to ask what religion you practice AND it is illegal for them to state you aren't permitted to wear whatever religious paraphanelia you believe you should wear...as long as it reasonably doesn't interfere with the type of work (ie., in a factory skirts are not permitted, so skirt wearing women have to wear pants...due to safety, liability, etc). A headcovering does not interfere with customer service of that kind as long as the face is not covered.

[Meiri]

Any UU churches near you? If you explain all that to a UU minister, he/she just might be willing to write you that letter. No guarantees, but maybe.

[UnschoolnMa]

So sorry they are doing this to you! How frustrating and very of them.

I agree that maybe a UU church could be helpful. Good luck!

[Justmee]

Can you look on craigslist for a notery? Maybe if you had an official notery public sign and stamp a text of the formal oath they would take it? Couldn't hurt to ask.

Good luck

[Leta]

How aggravating! Is Wal Mart familiar with the first amendment? Ya think?

[feyfollow]

In the interim of finding assistance, does it have to be a full covering? At work (which my doctor ribs me all day), I have no problems w/a Mennonite type bun cover or mini covering. These really do not cover a huge amount, and are pretty, and you could argue sanitary, maybe?

I know it is not the same, but you would know that you are covering until you can argue w/Walmart here...

http://www.plainlydressed.bravepages...eringfile.html

[Adele_Mommy]

My first reaction was that a UU minister might help you as previous posters have said.

However, what I would actually suggest is just wear your head-covering and if someone gives you a hard time tell them you have a right to practice your religion and you don't need to bring in any documentation whatsoever. I have no idea if this is legally true or not, but I think if you suggest that if you get fired for practicing your religion you might sue (even if you probably won't) they are most likely going to just let it go as not worth the hassle.

Another possibility is contact a national representative of your religion - do they have a website and could you email? Maybe they could send you a letter that Wal-Mart would accept even if the practices of your religion are varied and open to interpretation, and even though you are not a member of a kindred.

Good luck.

[accountclosed3]

I agree with the PP who states that you should talk to EEOC and talk about civil rights in regards to this.

Also, if you find that you are required to write a letter, write one yourself, explaining as you did above, that your religion has no specific doctrine, and no specific clergy, but that these are the religious/doctrinal elements to which you ascribe your choice (not describing the reasons, but the oath-taking, etc), and that you are wearing the headcovering for religious reason.

may i ask, off topic, what "style" of head covering you wear? i'm just curious.

[Ravin]

Usually I wear either a triangular scarf or a square scarf folded into a triangle, and just tied behind my head, or sometimes with the ends twisted up over the top of my head to form a "crown" on it, and the tail hanging or tucked. Sometimes I tie or pin it under my chin, but not usually.

I'm thinking of investing in a snood or two and/or making a couple of Jorvik caps, one of the few styles there is reasonable documentation for in the Heathen period.

[holyhelianthus]

can't you go online and fill something out to become a clergy on your own or something? i seem to remember you can do that. if so i would and write myself a note.

ETA- i worked at Wal Mart for 2 years, mama.

[accountclosed3]

ravin: very cool.

[the_lissa]

How could that possibly be legal>

[Ravin]

I really don't know how it's legal. I don't remember the exact wording of the policy, but the requirement is that you bring in documentation of the doctrinal basis for your need to wear the cover, from a member of your clergy. I'm going to write a polite letter stating something like this:

To Whom it May Concern:

I will be making a formal religious oath on the 20th of December which involves the wearing of a head covering. I am a Heathen, a practitioner of Northern European reconstructionist religion, sometimes called Asatru or Forn Sed. My faith is non-doctrinal, but is rather based on the reconstruction of pre-Christian religion drawing from historical documentation, mythology, folklore, archaeology, and modern spiritual interpretation and communication. Oath-keeping is an important aspect of Heathen ethics. My basis for covering is a personal conviction bound by sacred oath and grounded in historical documentation of the custom for married women of the Norse Heathen period to wear a head covering.

Many Heathens practice their faith outside of the context of organized groups. I am not at this time a member of any organized group which ordinates clergy. As I direct religious practice and education for my family, I am effectively my family's gythia (clergywoman). As such I am signing this letter myself.

The head covering I will wear will in no way detract from the neat appearance of the Wal-Mart dress code, create a physical hazard, or interfere with my job by causing offense or distraction that would detract from customer service.


Thank you for your accomodation,

(Ravin's real name)

[mommaduck]

Excellent letter.

I would throw in the legality of their questioning of your religious practices, as it is illegal in the first place to ask what religion a person is, which is basically what they are doing when they demand to know your doctrinal reasoning on this issue. And that if they have further questions, you would like for them to formally write your attorney (usually makes them shut up real quick).

[accountclosed3]

it is a very clear, well written letter.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by mommaduck

Excellent letter.

I would throw in the legality of their questioning of your religious practices, as it is illegal in the first place to ask what religion a person is, which is basically what they are doing when they demand to know your doctrinal reasoning on this issue. And that if they have further questions, you would like for them to formally write your attorney (usually makes them shut up real quick).

That is what I would have done too. I wouldn't even have bothered going into detail about the religion, it isn't their business. It is a very well written letter, but it makes me angry they are making you even do this. Either way, let us know what they say. I am curious.

[Penelope]

The letter is great, imo. If you feel like providing some extra documentation about your religion, it might make the person who has to approve this a little more motivation to do so.