Devout Muslim sues Tesco for making him carry alcoholBy David Wilkes
Last updated at 2:08 PM on 29th September 2008
A Muslim who claims he did not know Tesco sold alcohol is suing the store for religious discrimination after having to carry crates of drink as part of his job.
Forklift truck driver Mohammed Ahmed, 32, worked in a distribution depot for eight months before quitting 'in protest', an employment tribunal heard.
He claims he was forced to leave because handling beer, spirits and wine is against his strict Islamic beliefs and that he was victimised when he asked the company to give him another role.
Mr Ahmed, who was raised in Saudi Arabia, told the tribunal he had no idea his job entailed handling alcohol when he started work last September at the depot in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
When he realised it did, he asked to be found different work but alleges that one of his supervisors told him: 'You do the job or go home.'
Mr Ahmed also claimed his line manager was 'aggressive' towards him and another supervisor angrily told him: 'Do not take the p***.'
The problem allegedly worsened in November and December when extra alcohol arrived at the warehouse in readiness for Christmas, the tribunal in Birmingham heard.
Mr Ahmed claimed he eventually lodged an official grievance with the company in February and was 'victimised and harassed' as a result.
The tribunal heard that Tesco has now ensured its induction process makes clear that handling alcohol is part of the job.
But Laura Canham, the company's solicitor, said it was still unrealistic for Mr Ahmed to say he had no idea what his duties would be.
Mr Ahmed claimed he had never visited a Tesco store and was not aware the company sold alcohol. He admitted, however, having shopped in Sainsbury's, Lidl and Asda, and noticing alcohol was on sale there.
Miss Canham said: 'He was advised at the outset what the job would entail. At no stage did he raise the fact he could not handle alcohol.'
The tribunal was told Mr Ahmed also gave out 'mixed messages', at one stage suggesting he was allowed to handle Budweiser beer.
Miss Canham denied the company discriminated against him and said: 'It would be reasonable to expect him to be aware of what Tesco did.'
Mr Ahmed, of Derby, who is suing the firm for racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment, should learn the outcome of the case later this week.
Saudi Arabia's enforcement of strict Sharia law regarding alcohol is among the harshest in the world. Sentences include several months' imprisonment for simply drinking beer, and it is not unknown for offenders to be given lashes as well.
A spokesman for Tesco, whose £63million Lichfield depot has around 1,000 workers, said: ' Managers are trained to be culturally sensitive and have an open-door policy to staff for issues like this, as everyone is welcome to work at Tesco.'
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