According to The Telegraph, Jevgenijs Kovalkovs was fired from chicken wholesalers 2 Sisters Food Group Limited in Coupar Angus for refusing to take off a silver necklace, which held a “deep and profound meaning” to him.

Kovalkovs, a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, was initially hired by his employer in November 2019 and was promoted to quality inspector. The necklace he wore had 30 small links, representing each day that it had been sanctified during his godchild’s baptism ceremony.

According to company policy, employees are forbidden from wearing jewelry “in the production areas on-site” unless it’s a single plain band ring. The policy also made an exception for religious jewelry once it underwent a risk assessment.