Labor & Employment Law

Uniform Policies and Human Rights

By Michael Fitzgibbon

The Muslim woman who was suspended without pay from her job at Pearson Airport in Toronto for wearing a skirt longer than the one supplied has been returned to work in a temporary position pending review of the employer's uniform policy.   The Toronto Star provides some background:

In February, Muse started wearing an ankle-length skirt that matched her uniform with the blessing of her employer, Garda of Canada. But in August, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority insisted she choose between their slacks and knee-length skirt. When she refused, the authority had her suspended. Last week, Muse took the case to the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Dress code policies sometimes give rise to religious discrimination issues.  See my earlier post as well as Religious beliefs vs. company dress code and Mike Fox's  A Piercing Problem - 1st Cir. Ducks the Real Question. See also See also Employers Attempt to Balance Work and Religion. For a Canadian case on religious accommodation see Roosma.

Full post as published by Thoughts from a Management Lawyer on November 22, 2007 (boomark / email).