A Karachi-based software house, Creative Chaos, has reportedly asked a young, female employee to stop wearing Hijab at the office or resign from her position.
Notably, the employee had just started working with Creative Chaos. After a few days, her manager asked her to take off her hijab or leave the job.
The story surfaced from a Facebook post. According to a source, the reason behind this discriminatory behavior was that hijab would taint the image of the company as an ‘all-embracing workplace’.
Not only the manager but also the company’s chief executive defended this demand in a meeting with the discriminated employee. The said employee also stated that the CEO refused to say that in writing while asking her to resign.
Reportedly, he even recommended her to work at two Islamic banks. The employee also told the source that the CEO warned her not to initiate any legal action against the company.
The Facebook post has gone viral and prompted strong criticism from the social media users. The CEO confirmed the incident and also extended a public apology.
“Yesterday, a senior member of our staff asked a colleague to resign on unprofessional and unethical grounds,” says Jawwad Kadir. “She was told that her obligations may come in the way of her performance.”
He went on saying, “Not only is this action disgraceful but shows extremely poor moral judgment by her hiring manager. I take full responsibility for this failure and am deeply ashamed that a colleague was put through distress and trauma.”
He further added that the company has suspended the manager responsible for all this and a transparent inquiry has been ordered in this regard.
Not only this but also the said employee has been asked to withdraw her resignation and return to the office, he stated.
However, the statement did not mention the employee’s claim that he had also asked her to resign on the said grounds.
Update
Creative Chaos has issued a statement saying that the employee was apologized by the management with a request to her for reconsideration of the resignation.
Statement further said that the hiring manager and the CEO of the company were removed from their positions.
Below is the complete statement:
Via: Dawn.com
