U.S. Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Muslim Woman On Hijab Accommodation

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Muslim woman, Samantha Elauf, who alleged that Abercrombie & Fitch Stores (Abercrombie) failed to hire her because she wore a hijab (headscarf) in observance of her religion. The Court ruled 8-1 that Abercrombie failed to accommodate Elauf's religious needs when she was not hired on the basis that her hijab violated company dress policy. Abercrombie argued that Elauf could not prevail without establishing that the employer had "actual knowledge" of her need for a religious accommodation. The Court disagreed and sent the case back to the lower court for further consideration, holding that, a job applicant need show only that his or her need for an accommodation was a motivating factor in the employer's decision, not that the employer had knowledge of  the need.