Reference no: EM131244169

Confirmation E-Mail: Religious Bias in Clothing Denial?

At a Workforce Management Conference on March 13, you heard attorney Emily Farnsworth tell the audience about a recent court case involving the clothing of employees. It seems that the Philadelphia Police Department denied a Muslim officer's request for permission to wear a traditional headpiece or "khimar" while on duty. The Police Department said it violated the department's uniform policy. The officer sued claiming religious bias.

The judge ruled in favor of the department and dismissed Officer Kimberlie Webb's religious bias claims. To be most effective, said the court, the Police Department must subordinate individuality to its primary mission of protecting the lives and property of Philadelphia citizens. The defense had argued that the prohibition on officers' wearing of religious attire was intended to maintain religious neutrality. The conference speaker said that the judge's ruling gives confidence to public employers that courts will uphold workplace clothing rules if the employee's appearance is essential to the service the organization provides to the public.

You would like to use this information in a presentation you will make before your company's management council, but you want to check it first.

Your Task. Write an e-mail to Emily Farnsworth ([email protected]) confirming what you heard. Add any necessary information.