A Heathrow security officer has lost her discrimination claim after being instructed to remove a pro-Palestine badge from her staff lanyard. Zara Saiyed argued that this request was equivalent to being asked to take off her hijab, alleging racial and religious discrimination at work.
The dispute began in November 2023 when a colleague challenged Ms Saiyed about the Palestinian flag badge she was wearing. An Employment Tribunal heard nearly two weeks of evidence before unanimously dismissing all claims against Heathrow Airport Ltd.
Dispute Over Palestinian Badge
Ms Saiyed, a Muslim security officer and former Unite Union representative, lodged a formal grievance claiming that the removal of the badge amounted to discrimination. She described the request as “tantamount to finding my hijab offensive and insisting on its removal.” The badge displayed the Palestinian flag, which she said represented her identity and beliefs.
Claims Rejected By Tribunal
The tribunal found that Heathrow had thoroughly investigated her complaints, held multiple meetings, and sought resolution. Despite Ms Saiyed’s accusations — including claims that Heathrow was “complicit in the killing of Palestinian babies” — the panel rejected all allegations of direct race or religious discrimination, harassment, or victimisation. The tribunal ruled that management actions were responses to a workplace dispute.
Evidence Questioned
The tribunal criticised Ms Saiyed’s evidence as “susceptible to hyperbole” and found that she often misinterpreted or misremembered events. Judges noted that she was polite and unlikely to accuse others of racism lightly but concluded that much of her testimony was unreliable compared to Heathrow’s contemporaneous documents and witness accounts.
Context Of Wider Airport Policy
The case arose amid broader tensions at Heathrow regarding political symbols worn by staff following the Gaza conflict. In June 2024, five security officers were removed from screening an El Al flight after passenger complaints about Palestinian flags and watermelon badges on uniforms. Heathrow reiterated that only authorised uniform items are permitted to ensure all passengers feel “safe and welcome.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
