Employee sues Abercrombie & Fitch

'Best of' news | Marylou Tzempelikou | Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 14:54

Famous American fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch was sued by a 22-year-old law student, who was working in the company’s central London branch. Riam Dean asks for a 22,000-pound-compensation (23,5000 euros) because she was forced to work in the store’s stockroom, due to a disability she was born with. Dean was born with her left forearm missing and she has been wearing a prosthetic limb since she was a baby. According to her, she did not think of mentioning it during the interview and when Abercrombie & Fitch hired her, she was given a permission to wear a long-sleeved garment to cover the prosthetic limb. But after a few days, she was informed that her appearance was not in accordance with the company’s Look Policy, that are written in a guidebook and dictate every single detail on the employees’ appearance. So, she was moved to the stockroom to work until the arrival of the winter uniforms.

On the other hand, Abercrombie & Fitch says what the girl claims is not true and that the company has a strict anti-discrimination policy making sure that all employees are treated equally. The case will be examined by an Employment Tribunal.

It is worth mentioning that the London A&F store, located on the “double-named” address 7 Burlington Gardens or 42 Savile Row, is a wonderful old building at the entrance of which handsome models, wearing only a pair of jeans, welcome the customers and are photographed with them.

Source: bbc.co.uk