Muslim Religious Discrimination Case

The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (”EEOC”) sued a national retail clothing company for allegedly discriminating against a 17-year-old Muslim by refusing to hire her because she wore a hijab, or head scarf, in observance of her sincerely held religious beliefs.  In a September 17, 2009 Press Release, the EEOC stated that the Muslim job applicant was interviewed at the company’s Tulsa, Oklahoma location and the company refused to hire her because she was wearing a head covering when she was interviewed and this violated the company’s “Look Policy,” which prohibited the wearing of head coverings.  According to the Press Release, she applied for a sales position.  See, http://www.eeoc.gov/press/9-17-09b.html .  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, protects workers from discrimination based upon religion in hiring and in the terms and conditions of their employment.  In this regard, the EEOC is a federal agency which enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, including religious discrimination.  Further information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov .