The U.S. Supreme Court is considering the employment discrimination claim of a Muslim woman who was turned down for a job by Central Ohio-based retailer Abercrombie & Fitch after she showed up at her job interview wearing a black headscarf that conflicted with the company's dress code.
The case being argued Wednesday explores when an employer must take steps to accommodate the religious beliefs of a worker or job applicant. Central to the case is that applicant Samantha Elauf never explicitly voiced her religious views or her need to wear a headscarf on the job - although the assistant store manager who interviewed her correctly assumed Elauf was a Muslim who dressed that way for religious reasons. Abercrombie & Fitch has since changed its policy on headscarves and settled similar lawsuits elsewhere.