Warning likely for Bible-carrying Sky City worker

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Warning likely for Bible-carrying worker

3News NZ

Tuni Parata carries a bible when she works at Sky City

Tuni Parata carries a bible when she works at Sky City

Sky City is adamant an employee who carries a Bible at work will not lose her job - but she may receive a warning.

Unite Union says Tuni Parata, who has worked at Sky City for 16 years, is being ordered to attend a disciplinary meeting on Thursday this week - and is being threatened with dismissal.

The union wants the action against her dropped.

Spokesman Mike Treen says Ms Parata carries the Bible because it takes too long to get to the staffroom during breaks, and has labelled the action "absurd".

But Grainne Trout from Sky City says there is a reason she has been pulled aside.

“As a general principle staff in customer service roles are in breach of Sky City’s uniform standards if they carry items such as personal mobile phones, books and any other items that might interfere with their full engagement with their customers,” says Ms Trout.

"The media comments by Mike Treen are alarmist and they don't fairly reflect the situation. A breach of uniform policy such as this is not considered serious misconduct and it would not be expected to result in the dismissal of any staff member."

Ms Parata says carrying a Bible at all times is an important part of her faith and relationship to God.

Ms Trout will not comment on Sky City's discussions with Ms Parata.

Jane Luscombe will have more on the story at 6pm.

RadioLIVE / NZN

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Comments

19/06/2012 10:00:53 p.m.

Gary wrote:

I think sky city would like to burn the bible as it teaches you that gambling is a sin. This is quite ironic too with Ms Parata following god so righteously yet working and promoting gambling? Do as I say not as I do - kind of senario. Guess it just goes to prove that money has now become our new god that we all worship! All of the crowns laws stem from the bible and religion, that's why, in court you swear on the bible, so should we even permit gambling when it goes against the bibles teachings? Since we do allow it then why should it be ok to carry the bible and not any other book? The employees should all follow the rules set by their employer. After all the bible is just a rule book teaching you how to live together in harmony but unfortunately used by people in power to control the masses. If Ms Parata feels so compelled (I call it brain washed) that she must carry her bible with her everywhere she goes then work in a chapel not a casino.

19/06/2012 7:32:30 p.m.

feedback@skycity.co.nz wrote:

To whom this may concern: Would Sky City consider amending your uniform standards in light of this incident? Yours Truly, Eugene Lok Auckland

19/06/2012 7:26:15 p.m.

Kathryn Davie wrote:

I feel for this lady. What have we come to when someone can work in this place for 16 years and be treated like this because of one complaint..Who complained?Why do they not have prayer rooms handy for breaks like they do at Pakn Save for Muslim religions.Wish I was able to offer employment to this lady. God Bless to her..

19/06/2012 6:46:58 p.m.

Chris wrote:

A pocket bible? It's still bigger than a cellphone, or how about an ipod? all the arguments would come out about why not for almost anything... She shouldn't be reading it/ looking at it in working hours-same rules many of us live by- so keep it in her locker and access it during breaks- the same again as many of us have to do.I'm so sick of that "it's not fair" argument trundled out everytime someone doesn't get their own way, despite a rule, law, or a contract!!

19/06/2012 4:00:32 p.m.

Martin wrote:

With ove 3000 different religions in the world which bible are you going to read and preach to Sky City? Carrying essential items in your pocket (mentioned tampons etc) is different from carrying something big and noticeable to the public. Muslim prayer sessions are accepted in the employees contract when hiring and are obviously not done on the casino floor. A Qur'an, Koran, wearing a Mena or clogs would not be acceptable either. She is paid to be professional, productive and be an example to customers and her colleagues

19/06/2012 3:47:49 p.m.

cherie wrote:

If your contract says no books then that means bibles, Korans as well. Sky City have done nothing wrong here. Some people's comments say it is petty. Sorry you are wrong. It is the same in school. "No body studs" is there for a reason. Then you get media throwing some 15 year old in front of a camera saying why cant they? We have rules for a reason. You break one then why not break more and so it goes on

19/06/2012 2:29:11 p.m.

Christine Hosking wrote:

If it makes her happy to carry her bible then the spin off will be happier staff, happier clients. People are not robots. Its time to alter our perceptions of what makes people tick. Our world is becoming too uniform and thats a danger to us all.

19/06/2012 1:29:30 p.m.

contract wrote:

Well its in her contract so if she signed it then she has agreed to the terms of her employment. Skycity is well within their rights to take action. I work there and know the rules so i got no problem wit skycity, rules are rules and if you sign your contract without reading it first then thats her problem

19/06/2012 12:42:42 p.m.

Alex wrote:

Are you guys for real? The issue is about the bureaucratic small-mindedness of the HR managers determined prosecute the tiniest breach of every rule no matter how petty - it's a POCKET BIBLE for chrissakes - how does that interfere with the uniform? This is just a case of managers throwing their weight around because they can. What next - written warnings for carrying non-regulation tissues? This sort of thing is exactly why unions are necessary - to redress the imbalance in power between employees and employers. If you guys are such sticklers for rules and regulations, maybe you should notice the contradiction between Sky City disciplining workers for this sort of stuff and the company profiting from the proceeds of money laundering and theft by gambling addicts - ie, receiving stolen property.

19/06/2012 11:03:22 a.m.

greg wrote:

Thought the Book of Numbers would come in handy in the casino.