Clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has settled two employment discrimination lawsuits filed after two Muslim women were discriminated against for wearing hijabs, Islamic religious headscarves. Abercrombie will pay the women a total of $71,000 plus attorneys fees.
Hall Banafa originally filed suit against Abercrombie in 2010 after she was looked over for employment. Banafa’s lawsuit was settled for $23,000 after alleging that the Abercrombie store in Milpitas refused to hire her because of her hijab in 2008.
Hani Khan originally filed suit in 2011 after she was fired from the Abercrombie in San Mateo. The store had permitted Khan to wear a hijab that matched company colors. However, when a district manager visited her store and saw her in a hijab, she was soon fired for violating Abercrombie’s “look policy”, which supposedly detracts from the Abercrombie brand. Khan was awarded $48,000.
As a result of the settlement, Abercrombie has established an appeals process for workers who believe they have been denied religious accommodations. According to the company, they changed their policy in regards to employees wearing hijabs three years ago.
Khan’s trial was scheduled to begin at the end of the month. Abercrombie had already been found liable for religious discrimination by a judge. A jury was scheduled to determine damages.
If you believe that you or a loved one may have been the victim of discrimination in the workplace, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation.
