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.

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. 

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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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