QUESTION
Do I have a right to wear a hijab to work even if my reasons for doing so are not religious?
Asked on Dec 29th, 2016 on Labor and Employment - Tennessee
More details to this question:
I recently starting wearing a hijab in my daily life because I wholeheartedly believe in the overall concept of head covering. I wear my hijab as a means to cover myself in the same way a Muslim or any other woman of religion would but my boss refuses to allow me to wear my hijab; she says it's a "costume" and compared it to a "hat". Do I have a right to wear the hijab at work even though I am not Muslim or any other religion?
1 ANSWER
4 Awards
No. In certain circumstances an employer is required to accomodate an employee's religious practice, but only if it is due to a sincerely held religious belief. Even if it is part of such belief, an employer can deny a religious accomodation if there is a burden on the employer. The burden does not have to be great to allow denial of the religious practice.
Answered on Jan 01st, 2017 at 8:12 AM
I am an experienced attorney focusing on employment law in North Carolina and Tennessee. This post/response is not meant to constitute legal advice.