A discrete cross is inherently no different from a badge of any philosophical kind - if the christians can wear them fine, but we must then be able to wear CND badges for example, or little flags, or a hijab. As long as freedoms are universal no problem.

Interesting enough pagans are allowed display their tatoos.

Unless they work in starbucks....

I have re read it, and it changes nothing.
Lets look at this *because wearing a cross is not part of the faith*
Then are RSL badges one day to be threatened.
Are bangles badges rings to be next.
Why
Why the Christian cross, in what way will wearing it harm the workplace.
If it must go how about, every thing based on belief, will those head covers the Sikhs have go?
Why.

Lexi, Are you telling me your employer didn't provide parking spaces for crosses? I'll get shop steward Belly to add that one to our next log of claims. Did you have a crucifixion on Friday afternoon in the car park? Nothing like a bit of realism to distract the troops.

Dear Belly,

"I have re read it, and it changes nothing."

The article does not say that crosses were banned by the British government.
All it says is that certain employers banned their employees from wearing crosses and the government decided not to intervene.

The difference is that it was the EMPLOYERS who banned the crosses, not the GOVERNMENT.

Now I say shame on such employers, and as a union representative you will be very right to take industrial action against them (and similarly if they banned RSL badges, bangles, rings or turbans), also you would inform consumers about that stupid employer and urge them to boycot the employer's business. At the end of the day, however, if an employer and their employee are not in agreement then they should not be working for each other.

The subject of dress-code would have come within the employment contract: if there was nothing in that contract to forbid the employee from wearing a cross, yet the employer wants to forbid crosses, then they should either try to re-negotiate about it or fire the employee WITH FULL COMPENSATION. If on the other hand the original employment contract included a clause forbidding crosses, then the employee has no right to complain.

In any case, this is a contractual matter and the British government was right to not intervene.