QUINN Insurance has defended their equality policies in the wake of criticism from a number of Protestant workers over the wearing of poppies.

Several employees have told this newspaper how they feel their life �wouldn�t be worth living� if they wore a poppy into the Enniskillen office. However a spokesman for the firm stated it was acceptable for people wear emblems such as poppies at the appropriate time of year.

But one employee said, �You feel as if putting on a poppy is you putting on a sectarian badge. I have to take my poppy off before I go into work in case someone says anything to me -- I�m too scared to wear it,� said one Protestant worker.

Another employee claimed he was advised to remove his poppy inside the building because �loads of people� would �take offence� to it.

�I think it�s a sad world when you feel so uncomfortable about wearing a poppy that you take it off -- especially here in Enniskillen, especially after what happened in 1987. It�s extremely important to remember the dead but if it�s going to get you into trouble then it�s not worth it,� he said.

While another added: �I know things have been said to people in the past who have had one on. Things like: �Why are you wearing that?� and �That�s offensive� and so on. There is a concern at the moment that wearing a poppy might hinder your career further down the line. I�ve been told that it wouldn�t be beneficial wearing one so I don�t and I hate myself for that,� he said.

One employee talked about �much unease� in Quinn Insurance which he said is making all of the Protestants feel �very uncomfortable� at the moment.

�Morale is very low. It�s like you�re walking on eggshells all the time. I said Londonderry one time and the whole place went quiet as if I had broken a glass or swore. I don�t have any hatred towards the Roman Catholic community but it�s getting beyond a joke. My life has been made a living hell. For me, it�s difficult being a Protestant and working in Quinn�s. You have GAA rammed in your face all the time; you have the Catholic employees -- including senior staff like the managers -- wearing Gaelic tops and jackets, which is against the rules. You are always made to feel like you shouldn�t be there.

�I was spotted at the Twelfth of July earlier this year and now my Catholic workmates will only talk to me unless it�s extremely necessary and all because I was seen wearing an Orange collarette. I�ve been called Orange b.......... by my work colleagues... I feel intimated and sick every morning when I walk in there. If I had another job lined up I would quit in the morning,� he said.

Yesterday Quinn Insurance said the company was carrying out ongoing reviews of its equal opportunities policies, procedures and training, in association with the Equality Commission. In a statement, a spokesperson said: �In line with the Equality Commission guidance, it is acceptable for Quinn Insurance Limited employees to wear non-political marks of remembrance, celebration or commemoration such as poppies or shamrocks during the designated times of the year that these are appropriate. In line with the company�s dress-policy, employees are not permitted to wear football or other sports shirts.� He added: �Any breaches of policy, including claims of harassment of employees, would be fully investigated and appropriate action taken in accordance with established company procedures.�