Essex County Sued for Allegedly Discriminatory Uniform Policy

By Evan Mix

Published on July 01, 2009

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Essex County, New Jersey alleging religious discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires employers to accommodate employees' religious needs within the bounds of reason. The county is alleged to have refused to allow a corrections officer to wear a khimar, or headscarf, required by her religion.

According to the Justice Department, the Essex County Department of Corrections suspended and eventually terminated the woman because the scarf violated its uniform policy. She allegedly requested a religious accommodation, but was rebuffed. The suit seeks a court order requiring the county to alter its policies to provide for employees' religious practices.

The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division regularly pursues civil rights litigation on behalf of individuals who have allegedly suffered discrimination. Recent suits include a settlement with the transit authority of Washington, DC, over alleged uniform-related religious discrimination, and a similar suit against the transit authority of New York City that is currently unresolved.

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