Muslim hair stylist receives £4,000 compensation
The owner of a hair salon has been ordered to pay £4,000 compensation to a Muslim stylist, Bushra Noah who was turned down for a job because she wears a headscarf. Ms Noah accused the salon owner of religious discrimination when she failed to offer her a job.
Ms Noah alleged that when she arrived for her job interview the salon owner was clearly shocked by the fact she wore a headscarf. The owner told the tribunal she was surprised it had not been mentioned earlier and expected her staff to reflect the “funky, urban” image of her salon.
The tribunal panel dismissed the Ms Noah’s direct discrimination claim but upheld her complaint of indirect discrimination. The tribunal was satisfied that the claimant was not treated less favourably than the respondent would have treated a woman who, whether Muslim or not, for a reason other than religious belief wears a hair covering at all times when at work. However, the ‘no head covering’ provision indirectly discriminated against Muslim women and the employer had not been able to justify its application as no specific evidence was produced as to the actual impact of the claimant working in her salon with her head covered at all times.
The tribunal found that Ms Noah had been badly upset by the 15-minute interview and awarded her £4,000 damages for “injury to feelings”.
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