In 2009, Abercrombie & Fitch, a clothing retailer, faced a lawsuit regarding discrimination based upon religious reasons.  In our advanced society, and also the main ethical issue in this post is that, discrimination is frowned upon and is seen as a mistake of the past that we have made a mental note to avoid repeating.

The 19 year old Muslim victim claims that Abercrombie & Fitch refused to hire her because she wears a hijab (head covering), for religious reasons, because the hijab violates Abercrombie & Fitch’s Look Policy, or dress code.  When the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) inquired about this case, according to the article, Abercrombie & Fitch responded that, “‘under the Look Policy, associates…cannot wear hats or other coverings’ ”.

Perhaps it was just misfortune that the hijab falls under the coverings category, but couldn’t Abercrombie & Fitch make an exception regarding religious freedom?  Seeing a sales associate in a hijab in any store would not deter me from shopping there.  News such as this would damage a company’s image.