Reference no: EM132183130

In Webb v. City of Philadelphia (20090, Kimberlie Webb, a police officer with the City of Philadelphia since 1995, requested in 2003 to wear a head scarf (khimar) with her uniform, owing to her religious beliefs that require women to cover their hair at all times. Her request was denied by the police department; the policy did not authorize the wearing of any religious symbols or clothing as part of the uniform. Webb filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1972. While her complaint was pending, she wore the khimar to work. She was suspended for 3 days and was later charged with insubordination of her commanding officer’s orders. The Court of Appeals in 2009 upheld the police departments’ refusal to accommodate Webb’s request. The court ruled that providing any accommodation would create an undue burden on the department and would intrude on the cohesiveness, cooperation, and esprit de corps.

Discuss the case and it’s outcome in light of the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech and religious expression.