This is a tough one — A parking company in Atlanta has been required to pay nearly $30K to settle a discrimination law suit. The plaintiff who is Muslim, says that she asked to wear her head scarf during Ramadan and they told her no, suspended her and later fired her. That’s all the information I have.
However here’s the issue. If the company had a dress code, and if all employees were told of the code, then it would seem to me that the plaintiff should have known before the fact that she could not wear head scarfs while at work. She should have told them of her religious requirements and worked out a deal with them, or not taken the job. Its like the waitresses at Hooters or Islands. They have to wear specific clothes at all times while on the job. If they don’t like it, they can take another job.
On the other hand, if the dress code was ambiguous, or if she was in fact singled out because of her religion, then the operator deserved what they got. Period.
Personally, I have no problem with head scarves. Many Jewish women wear scarves and wigs, men wear yamakas, Hindus wear head gear, so be it. However a business owner has to have the right to set dress codes as they wish. But they must do it up front and be open about it. Changing the rules after the fact doesn’t cut it.
JVH
