For an Initial Consultation, call (917) 371-8000

Steven Mitchell
Sack

The Employee’s Lawyer®

Welcome to The Law Offices of Steven Mitchell Sack

Enforcing the workplace rights of thousands of employees, executives and sales reps for more than 44 years.

steven mitchell sack

Abercrombie and Fitch Faces Another Lawsuit Based on Religious Discrimination

Abercrombie and Fitch has been subjected to several lawsuits in the last few years based on the company’s appearance policy.  CEO Mike Jeffries was quoted in 2013 remarking that the company’s objective is to target “good looking people” which is why they “hire good looking people.”  The company has been accused of discrimination based on weight, physical disabilities, appearance, and religion.

On February 25, 2015, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning a previously filed EEOC complaint regarding one of Abercrombie and Fitch’s personal appearance policies.  A teenager who had applied for a sales position with the company was not hired because she was required to wear a head scarf as part of her religious beliefs.  This is similar to a lawsuit won against Abercrombie and Fitch in 2010 in which the plaintiff was fired for refusing to remove her religious head scarf while working on the floor.   A decision is expected by July.

Under Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, an employer cannot discriminate against employees for their religious practices and must reasonably accommodate their religious needs.  Furthermore, an employer may not fire an employee due to her religious beliefs or apply personal appearance rules to religious observers that are discriminatory and inconsistent with their beliefs.

In order to avoid lawsuits, the following summarizes what companies are obligated to do:

  • Employers have an obligation to make reasonable accommodations to the religious needs of employees.
  • Employers must give time off for the Sabbath or holy days except in an emergency.
  • If employees don’t come to work, employers may give them leave without pay, may require equivalent time to be made up, or may allow employees to charge the time against any other leave with pay, except sick pay.
  • Employers may not discriminatorily apply personal appearance rules to religious observers.
  • Employers may not fire workers as a result of their religious beliefs.

If you or a loved one believes that you have been fired or received poor treatment due to personal appearance practices required by your religious beliefs, you may have a legal claim. Contact an experienced New York Employment Attorney who will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

One thought on “Abercrombie and Fitch Faces Another Lawsuit Based on Religious Discrimination”

  1. I never knew that Abercrombie and Fitch faced another lawsuit based on religious discrimination! I had heard about the other complaints and lawsuits, but not one based on religion. Workplace discrimination is a touchy subject. Thank you for raising awareness about it!

Comments are closed.

    If you have experienced any of the below, fill out the form to the right to set up your FREE PHONE CONSULTATION:























    What’s Happening at The Law Offices of Steven Mitchell Sack

    new york lawyer
    new york lawyer awards
    new york lawyer blog

    Our Reviews and Client Feedback

    Thank you Steven for all of your help. I am truly thankful.
    I dealt with steven as an adversary. I found him to be one of the most respectful,, knowledgeable, and effective attorneys i have encountered in my 40 years of practicing law.
    Steven isn't just a great lawyer, he is a great person. He was always available to take my calls, and to give good advice. I would highly recommend him.
    "I am an attorney, and I can say that Mr sack did an outstanding job in negotiating a severance agreement. He picked up the phone and made a call, something simple, timely and effective that no other attorney would do. Mr. Sack was effective, to the point, he always followed up, and he got me a better result than any other attorney would have.

    He exceeded expectations, and I am very grateful that I hired him.

    I would recommend him to any employee involved in a sensitive situation where diplomatic negotiation and communication is needed. He kept me very well informed about the progress of my case and obtained a very satisfactory negotiated formal written severance agreement, which is one of his specialties."
    Response from the owner:Thank you very much for your review. Please keep us in mind if you ever have any other employment law matters you need assistance with.
    The best contract lawyer out there. Responsive compassionate and got results results fast. Unbelievable contract lawyer best in NYC.
    Response from the owner:Thanks for your review. Please feel free to call back if you ever have any need of representation in any future employment law matters.
    I had the pleasure of working with Steven on my separation agreement, and I couldn’t be more grateful for his expertise and dedication. From the very beginning, he provided clear, strategic guidance, ensuring that my rights were fully protected. He took the time to answer all my questions, kept me informed at every step, and negotiated effectively on my behalf. His attention to detail and deep understanding of employment law helped me secure an exceptional outcome. I highly recommend Steven!
    Response from the owner:Thank you for your review. We are glad you were satisfied with your representation, and hope you contact us if you ever have need of representation again.
    js_loader

    Testimonials

    Read More

    Skip to content