It's not the same thing. Besides, someone's faith is a little more serious than the matter you just described. Faith shouldn't be waved around as some "magical shield", but I think it's fair that society not try to repress or silence faith of any kind just because it might be a public place. In France, they're banning Muslim women from wearing headscarves, and Chistians from wearing large crosses. Is that fair? Why do they have to be silenced?
Is it really too hard to allow some expression of religion in school or the workplace? Answer: NO. If the employer can't allow some room for religion, than that's his problem, not the employee's problem. You're attitude is: "They chose it, they have to deal with it", which in this case, is the wrong attitude to take. Public schools and workplaces should be a place of inclusion, not exclusion.