Hi Jack, Sorry about the delay regarding your question. I have a link below which covers this topic and explores this issue. As can be extracted from the article, there is a widespread opinion regarding covering the face (burqa) to exposing (hijab). The rule in islamic law is if there is a genuine difference of opinion, one can't condemn the other for following or not following the opinion. So a woman can wear a hijab or niqab/burqa. Even if the woman followed an opinion that stated the burqa/niqab as obligatory, there would be a dispensation allowed to wear whatever is appropriate to overcome the circumstance. So in regards to work, there is no doubt that if the burqa was an impediment then muslim women have other options available. What the women chooses is her own right. In regarding to a man forcing a woman, that just comes to domestic abuse and indicates the 2 are not for each other if they can't compromise. If you married a woman who smoke and you didn't, if she didn't stop you have the option of advising her and tolerating her practice. However, if you can't agree and it bothers you to the extent it affects your relationship, you can't just forcefully and abusively stop her. If you can't agree, just divorce and move on. If men are found to be practising this type of behaviour, it needs to be dealt in a way as in all domestic abuse matters. Be it burqa, smoking, drinking, behaviour, whatever.
