Benefits September 13, 2010

Abercrombie & Fitch Hit with 2nd Suit over Religious Head Scarf

September 13, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for the second time in a year over allegations it illegally prohibited workers from wearing a hijab religious head scarf.
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The agency announced in a news release that it had filed the newest case on behalf of an 18-year-old female employee who applied at the Abercrombie Kids store at Great Mall in Milpitas, California, in March 2008.

According to the EEOC, the unnamed worker wore a head scarf to the interview where she was asked if she was Muslim and had to wear the head covering. 

The interviewer then marked “not Abercrombie look” on the form, according to the EEOC, which alleges a violation of federal anti-workplace discrimination law by not making an exception to its dress code for workers whose religion requires certain attire.

This marks the second lawsuit filed by the EEOC against Abercrombie & Fitch for failing to accommodate a Muslim teenager’s need to wear a head scarf.  The first was filed by the EEOC St. Louis District Office in September 2009.

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