20 year old Hani Khan, a former stockroom worker is fired from her job over the telephone because Abercrombie and Fitch wouldn't let her wear hijab, the head cover traditionally worn by Muslim women. Khan says that, " Growing up in a country where a Bill of Rights gurantees freedom of speech and religion makes me feel upset.This case is about principles, the right to be able to express your religion freely and be able to work in this country." It is the latest employment discrimination charge. Most critics say the company has what they like to call a ''looky policy'' which they say has an image of mostly white, young,and athletic people. Abercrombrie compromises with Hani saying that her hijab has to be company colors. Even before this dispute, Abercrombie has had a history of racial discrimination including a federal classed action brought by African-American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino employees that was settled in 2004 for 40 million dollars.The was forced to make changes to create a more diverse group of employees. The New Albany,Ohio.-based company still says that they don't tolerate discrimination."Abercrombie prides itself on requiring what it calls a natural classic American style. But there's nothing American about discriminating against someone because of their religion," said Araceli Martinez-Olguin, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center.
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